What to do with leftover refried beans?
We had tostadas with homemade refried beans for Cinco de Mayo, and I have quite a heap left. Any good ideas for a way to use them in a non-Mexican, or just atypical, way? I'm looking for something different than your typical burritos, etc.
Add a comment:
Previewing your comment:
HTML Hints
Some HTML is OK: <a href="URL">link</a>, <strong>strong</strong>, <em>em</em>
Comment Guidelines
Post whatever you want, just keep it seriously about eats, seriously. We reserve the right to delete off-topic or inflammatory comments. Learn more at our Comment Policy page.
If you see something not so nice, please, report an inappropriate comment.
Start Talking!
Need a question answered? Have advice to share? Start a Talk topic now!
Sign up to get your questions answered and share advice.
28 Comments:
Not exactly an alternative use....but I'd suggest you just freeze them and make them part of your emergency entertaining arsenal.
2qrs at 7:48PM on 05/05/09
7 layer dip! I know it's not non-Mexican or atypical, but it is delicious...
gingercookiewithlime at 8:00PM on 05/05/09
Use them as the main ingredient for a bran soup, thinned out with broth, Add other diced vegetables.
Lippy at 8:03PM on 05/05/09
like 2qrs freeze them or add salsa and make a dip to snack on. Or you can ship them to me and I will eat them I love refried beans lol.
pjracz10 at 8:03PM on 05/05/09
1. Thin them out for soup.
2. Make more tostadas - for breakfast, with a fried egg on top.
3. Adapt the Chickpea Fondue recipe from Mark Bittman's How to Cook Everything Vegetarian, page 615: Basically puree them with lots and lots of roasted (or raw!) garlic, olive oil, salt, pepper and some lemon juice. Heat, serve warm, and dip vegetables in it. You can also drop some nice melting cheese in it while it's heating.
4. ... I'm out of ideas, because I really do not understand the term "leftover refried beans."
gentlyferal at 8:32PM on 05/05/09
Make bean burritos and freeze them.
joyyy at 11:25PM on 05/05/09
@joyyy- WOOT WOOT, I love you whoever you are.
pjracz10 at 1:00AM on 05/06/09
Homemade refrieds, I freeze because I make them in quantity and plan on freezing some for next time.
But if there's a little left and no interesting plans for them, I've been known to toss them into baked goods. Depends on the seasoning, of course, but beans add protein and fiber to breads. Of course, I add all sorts of weird things to bread...
dbcurrie at 3:15AM on 05/06/09
These are all awesome ideas! Thanks everyone.
lefteyeislazy at 7:26AM on 05/06/09
you could add some bread crumbs and re-fry them, and make little bean croquettes.
blankplate at 8:35AM on 05/06/09
@pjracz - I have started making bean/rice and egg/bean burritos for the freezer pretty much every week. I feel like it's the smartest thing I've ever done :P
joyyy at 11:27AM on 05/06/09
Not really non mexican but mix them with salsa and some melted cheese for an awesome dip!
missjess at 11:47AM on 05/06/09
Thanks to everyone for their ideas ... I have a couple of containers of frozen homemade refried beans just waiting to be turned into bean/rice/veggie burritos.
TwoBarkingDogs at 12:37PM on 05/06/09
Soup it up!
xxuviolkd at 2:44PM on 05/06/09
For something a little bit different, Lisa of Homesick Texan has a Pinto Bean Pie recipe that looks quite tasty.
Enjoy!
~ Paula
Paula Maack at 4:37PM on 05/06/09
i "butter" a tostada with leftover refried beans, then top it with a fried egg :) Mmmm!
luvjnx at 5:39PM on 05/06/09
Huevos Rancheros!
NWcajun at 7:26PM on 05/06/09
Throw them away?
Raiders757 at 7:57PM on 05/06/09
I am not too fond of beans, but I make a Hummus Pastelon, where I place hummus in between 2 layers of mashed potato... I am sure it could work with your beans too. And this is a non-Mexican idea... so I should get extra points for that!!!
Madelyn
KarmaFreeCooking
MadelynRodriguez at 8:26PM on 05/06/09
Pinto Bean Pie?!?! That sounds awesome/weird/genius! Too bad I put jalapenos in the beans. Maybe next time. I think I'm going to use them to thicken some soup, and for a weekend brunch tostada. I knew I'd end up with that tostada again, but I have tons of ideas for next time, thank you all!
lefteyeislazy at 8:48PM on 05/06/09
You can make a great minestrone soup with them (No, really... stop laughing, it's good!)
I don't have my usual recipe at hand, but it's very similar to the one found here:
http://www.cookquest.com/Recipes-soup/Minestrone.php
(Sorry I need to figure out how to embed a link!)
hmneilson at 11:29AM on 05/07/09
Mother used to make some pretty awesome Albondigas de Frijol when I was I went throw a mini vegetarian phase as a child.
Take refried beans, beat some eggs into them, dice a little onion, cilantro and bread crumbs. Fry them until nice and crispy.
ohnoeric at 7:39PM on 05/07/09
I make a mexcian chili with shredded pork , salsa and tomato puree...it sounds a little weird but it is delicous.....we have some leftover refried beans now....hmmm...lol
beautyfullperla at 10:13PM on 05/07/09
we smear some in our veggie or chicken enchiladas. the texture is great in them!
xwafflesx at 5:55PM on 05/08/09
If it's a very small amount I'd make dip or huevos rancheros.
We usually make a big batch and have several cups of beans left over.
If so, I make a big batch of bean burritos, wrap and freeze them for quick grab-and-go breakfast/lunch/dinners/snack.
-Tortilla, beans, grated cheese, salsa (green onion, diced sweet pepper, other ingredients-optional) Assemble, roll, wrap in waxed paper, then foil and refrigerate (if only a few) or freeze.
They thaw quickly or use microwave to thaw and heat.
My husband and kids usually devour them in a couple of days, then ask for more.
CJ McD at 12:31PM on 05/11/09
Invite my son to visit. We rarely have leftover beans- only if I tell him I'm saving them for tomorrow!
chelle3230 at 9:16PM on 05/12/09
Blend into a paste with a little cheese and panko, or ground up tortilla chips if you want to remain truer to the original dish.
This becomes the filling for a pocketed chicken breast that gets a salsa burre blanc.
I usually serve this over rice with a side of more beans!
And thus the process resumes. . .
Chef Colin at 4:02PM on 05/13/09
Mix them (or layer them) with rice, cheese, veggies of your choice and a cooked ground meat to make a casserole.
Amandarama at 11:15PM on 05/13/09