Refried White Beans with Cilantro

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-15 · Updated 2026-04-15

Creamy, aromatic refried beans seasoned with fresh cilantro and garlic, offering a simple yet deeply flavorful vegetarian side dish. This Puerto Rican-inspired vegetarian recipe, ready in about 20 minutes, pairs white beans, olive oil, onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 120 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.

Ingredients

• 1 can (15 oz), drained and rinsed white beans
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small, finely chopped onion
• 2 cloves, minced garlic
• 1/4 tsp cumin
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp, chopped cilantro
• 2 tbsp water

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add finely chopped onion and cook 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
2. Step 2: Add drained white beans (1 can, 15 oz), 1/4 tsp cumin, and 1/4 tsp salt to the saucepan. Mash beans with a potato masher until smooth, adding 2 tbsp water to adjust consistency, for 3-4 minutes.
3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp chopped cilantro and cook 1 more minute. Remove from heat and serve warm.