Refried Guatemalan Black Beans with Toasted Garlic

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Creamy refried black beans cooked with toasted garlic and onions, a staple side dish in Guatemalan cuisine perfect for pairing with rice or tortillas. This latin american-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian) ready in about 80 minutes pairs dried black beans, water, small, chopped white onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 70 min Serves 4 Latin American cuisine 180 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rinse 1 cup dried black beans and soak in water for 8 hours or overnight. Drain and transfer to a pot with 4 cups fresh water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to medium-low and simmer for 1 hour until beans are tender.
  2. Step 2: While beans cook, heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 3 sliced garlic cloves and 1 small chopped white onion, sautéing for 3-4 minutes until the garlic is golden and onions are translucent.
  3. Step 3: Once beans are cooked, drain them reserving about 1 cup cooking liquid. Mash beans with a potato masher or fork, gradually stirring in the sautéed garlic and onions, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp cumin powder, and enough reserved bean liquid to create a creamy consistency.
  4. Step 4: Return the mashed beans to the skillet and cook over low heat, stirring frequently for 5 minutes until thickened and heated through, stirring until you smell the toasted garlic aroma.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Refried Guatemalan Black Beans with Toasted Garlic take to make?

Total time is about 80 minutes (10 min prep + 70 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Refried Guatemalan Black Beans with Toasted Garlic?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep dried black beans from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Refried Guatemalan Black Beans with Toasted Garlic?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Refried Guatemalan Black Beans with Toasted Garlic for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Refried Guatemalan Black Beans with Toasted Garlic vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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