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 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

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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.

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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