Refried beans are a staple in Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine. While refried beans are meant to have a creamy, thick consistency, sometimes homemade or canned varieties can turn out too thin and watery. Luckily, there are a few easy tricks you can use to thicken up runny refried beans to get the perfect texture.
Use Instant Mashed Potato Flakes
One of the quickest and easiest ways to thicken up refried beans is to stir in instant mashed potato flakes. Potato flakes contain starch that can absorb excess moisture from the beans and add body. Start by sprinkling 1-2 tablespoons of potato flakes over the top of the beans and mix thoroughly. Let sit for 2-3 minutes to allow the potato flakes to fully hydrate and thicken. If needed, you can add more potato flakes 1 tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached. Potato flakes work well for minor adjustments in thickness.
Add Cornstarch Slurry
Another handy pantry item for thickening sauces and gravies is cornstarch. To use cornstarch, first create a slurry by dissolving 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch in 2 tablespoons cold water. Mix until fully dissolved and smooth. Slowly pour the slurry into the beans while stirring constantly. Let simmer for 2-3 minutes to activate the thickening power of the cornstarch. The slurry will gradually thicken up the beans to a nice velvety texture. Start with a smaller amount of slurry and add more as needed for thicker beans.
Cook Down the Beans
For a natural thickening method without additives, you can simply cook the refried beans longer to evaporate excess moisture. Place the beans back on medium low heat and let simmer uncovered for 5-10 minutes, stirring frequently. As the beans cook, the water will reduce down and the beans will thicken up. Be careful not to scorch or burn the beans. You can also mash the beans against the side of the pan occasionally to help break them down and release more starch.
Add Some Masa Harina
Masa harina, also known as masa flour, can be an excellent way to add thickness and texture to refried beans. Masa harina is made from finely ground corn that has been nixtamalized with calcium hydroxide or lime. This process creates a flour with an almost gritty, sandy texture that thickens beautifully. Stir in 2-3 tablespoons of masa harina and cook for 2-3 minutes to thicken the beans. Add more as needed in 1 tablespoon increments until desired consistency is reached.
Puree a Portion of the Beans
You can puree a portion of the refried beans to create a thicker, creamier texture. Scoop out about 1 cup of the beans and place in a food processor or blender. Puree until smooth then stir back into the pot of beans. The pureed beans will act as a natural thickener. You can puree more or less beans depending on how much thickening you need. Just a small amount of pureed beans can make a big difference.
Add Crumbled Corn Tortillas
For a more traditional approach, you can thicken refried beans with crumbled corn tortillas. Simply take 2-3 small corn tortillas and tear into pieces. Add the crumbled tortilla pieces to the beans and let simmer for 5 minutes, stirring frequently, as the tortilla pieces break down and dissolve into the beans. This will create a thicker texture and also add great corn flavor. You can make your own tortilla pieces or use store-bought tortilla chips.
Stir in Some Oats
Plain instant oats can work just as well as potato flakes for thickening beans. Oats contain starch and fiber that can absorb moisture and add body. Sprinkle in 1-3 tablespoons of dry oats and stir vigorously to prevent clumping. Cook for 2-3 minutes to allow the oats to fully thicken up the beans. The oats will mostly dissolve into the beans, adding texture without changing the flavor.
Add Mexican Crema or Sour Cream
Dairy products like Mexican crema, also called crema Mexicana, or sour cream can lend a creamy richness while also thickening up refried beans. Stir in 2-4 tablespoons of crema or sour cream. Be careful not to boil after adding to prevent the dairy from curdling. For extra thick beans, you can puree the crema or sour cream with some of the beans before adding back.
Make a Roux
A classic French cooking technique, making a roux of butter and flour is a great way to thicken up beans. In a separate skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Whisk in 2-3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour to form a thick paste. Cook the roux for 2 minutes then whisk it into the beans. Continue cooking for 5 minutes as the roux imparts its thickness. The small amount of fat also adds richness.
Add Cheese
Melting cheese into refried beans can impart delicious flavor and also thicken them up. Cheddar, Monterey Jack, pepper jack, and Mexican cheeses like queso fresco or Oaxaca work well. Grate or dice 1-2 cups of cheese then stir into the hot beans until fully melted and smooth. The fat and proteins in the cheese will act as a thickening agent. A sprinkle of extra cheese on top adds bonus creaminess when serving.
Stir in Crushed Tortilla Chips
Crushed tortilla chips such as store-bought tortilla chips or homemade totopos can help add thickness to runny beans. Crush 1-2 handfuls of tortilla chips into small pieces then stir into the hot beans. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the chips melt into the beans and thicken to your desired consistency. The starch from the corn chips and the emulsified fat will create a creamier texture.
Blend in Avocado
Silky, buttery avocado can be used to gently thicken refried beans while also adding nutrition and flavor. Mash 1-2 ripe avocados with a fork or potato masher then fold into the hot beans. Cook briefly just until heated through. Avocado gives great body without thinning out the beans. Swirling in a sprinkle of minced raw onion or cilantro at the end balances the richness.
Add More Beans
Sometimes overly thin refried beans just need more beans! Adding another half or full can of drained beans to the pot can provide more starch and fiber to create a thicker consistency. Mash the additional beans into the refried beans to ensure they are fully incorporated. Simmer for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the texture to thicken up as the extra starch releases.
Conclusion
With any of these simple ingredient additions and cooking techniques, you can easily thicken up runny refried beans to get that perfect rich, creamy texture. Keep your pantry stocked with handy items like instant potato flakes, masa harina, cornstarch, and oats so you can adjust the thickness anytime. Refried beans can be finicky, but with the right tricks they can always be adjusted to your preference. Now go enjoy a big bowl of thick, delicious refried beans!