Homemade Refried Beans are a delicious, healthy, and affordable alternative to the canned variety. They are so easy to make in a Crockpot, and can be customized to your liking.
Place the rinsed beans, onion, jalapeno, garlic, salt, pepper, and cumin in the crock of a 6-quart slow cooker. Pour in the water and chicken broth and stir to combine.
Cook on low for 10-12 hours, or on high for 5-6 hours, adding more water as needed.
When the cooking time is up, strain the beans, reserving at least half of the liquid. Use a potato masher or immersion blender to mash the beans, adding the reserved liquid to thin out the beans if necessary.
Notes
To make these beans vegetarian, swap the chicken broth for vegetable broth or more water.
For milder beans, remove the seeds and ribs of the jalapeño or substitute with a 4-ounce can of diced green chiles.
For hotter beans, leave the seeds and ribs of the jalapeño or add a second jalapeño.
For cheesy beans, once blended, add 8 ounces of shredded cheddar cheese.
Use black beans instead of pinto beans to make refried black beans.
To make bean dip, once blended, add 1 cup of sour cream and 1 envelope of taco seasoning. Top with cheese and/or taco meat if desired.
Storage: Store crockpot refried beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 1 month.