Top 15 Best Canned Refried Beans
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Refried bean is a terrific and healthy way to enhance the flavor of many dishes. Buttery refried bean makes perfect bean tortillas or tacos. You can also add refried bean as a thickener to your soup and sauce, or as an interesting contrast note to plain rice. Moreover, you can top refried beans with cheese for delicious dips.
Refried beans are versatile yet nutritious. They’re an excellent source of natural fiber and protein. You can serve them at home or bring them with you on an overnight trip to enjoy the healthy nutrition refried beans offer.
Canned refried beans are not just versatile and healthy; they’re a breeze to prepare. With the heat and serve option, all it takes is less than 10 minutes to heat up the beans. Canned refried beans are a staple ingredient in many kitchens.
Either you want a snap option for heat and serve refried beans or a more fulfilling taste when you make refried beans from scratch; there’s a product for you. So, to pick the best refried beans for your personal preference, check out these top 15 product reviews and buying guides before making a purchase.
What is The Best Canned Refried Beans?
If you’re looking for refried beans with some specific characteristics in mind, check out this section to find out the best refried beans based on their cooking styles or unique features.
- Best Heat and Serve: Old El Paso Traditional Refried Beans
“Great consistency and excellent flavor for any Mexican style meal” - Best From Scratch: SunVista Organic Pinto Beans
“Pinto beans ready for making refried beans from scratch” - Best Budget: Taco Bell Fat Free Refried Beans
“Low-cost option of nutritious and flavorful refried beans” - Best Low Fat: Santa Fe Bean Instant Southwestern Refried Beans
“Such a great price for great thick refried beans without any excess water or oil” - Best Organic: Amy’s Organic Refried Beans
“Go all organic now made easy with this Organic Refried Beans from Amy’s” - Best Spicy: Old El Paso Refried Spicy Beans
“Right texture with great spice added, ready to heat and serve right away” - Best Low-Sodium: Westbrae Natural Organic Black Beans
“These’re best for those who’re cutting down on their sodium intake” - Best With Lard: Santiago Smooth Refried Beans
“Nothing artificial, great taste and consistency with lard added”
Canned Refried Beans Comparison Chart
For easy comparison of all the 15 best refried beans, I put together all their basic information in this chart. Consider their cooking type, ingredients, and key features to see which product can meet all your needs.
Top 15 Best Canned Refried Beans Reviews
Now, let’s move on to the most exciting part of this article – the detailed review of each product in the list of the top 15 best canned refried beans currently available.
Old El Paso Traditional Refried Beans
(Best Heat and Serve)
You can’t go wrong with this traditional refried bean from Old El Paso. Add it to your favorite dishes, dips, or toppings for a Mexican style meal. The mild taste without any overpowering seasoning or flavor enables you to add extra taste to your recipes as you like.
The bean isn’t too runny; it has great consistency and texture. Wait no more to add these convenient yet nutritious beans to your daily meals.
Highlight Features
- Mexican style
- Ready to use as an added ingredient or as a side dish
- No added sugar
Product Specifications
Brand | Old El Paso |
Net weight | 16 oz |
Pack of | 12 cans |
Nutrition value per 120g serving | |
Calories | 110 |
Total fat | 2.5g |
Cholesterol | Less than 5mg |
Sodium | 440mg |
Carbohydrate | 16g |
Protein | 6g |
Pros
- Neutral taste enables you to flavor your dish the way you prefer
- Good consistency
- A great low-cost option
Cons
- None
Taco Bell Fat Free Refried Beans
(Best Budget)
The Taco’s fat free refried beans do contain soy products, so make sure you’re aware before purchasing in case you’re allergic to soy. This canned fried bean contains cooked pinto beans, water, and less than 2% of added salt, soybean oil, dried pink beans, soy lecithin, and natural flavors.
It comes in very thick, if you prefer the bean to be spreadable for dips or toppings, just add some water to the bean when you heat it up. The taste is rich, not too spicy, but you can still spice it up a bit more with other seasonings if you’d like to.
Highlight Features
- Pinto beans
- Low fat
- Thick texture
- Great taste
Product Specifications
Brand | Taco Bell |
Net weight | 16 oz |
Pack of | 12 cans |
Nutrition value per 130g serving | |
Calories | 130 |
Total fat | 1,5g |
Cholesterol | 0mg |
Sodium | 580mg |
Carbohydrate | 21g |
Protein | 7g |
Pros
- Reasonable price, but tastes delicious
- No excess water or oil in the can
Cons
- Too much sodium per serving
Amy’s Organic Refried Beans
(Best Organic)
This great refried bean is suitable for any dietary choice as they’re gluten free and vegan. The beans used are also organic and non-GMO, picked carefully by the manufacturer. You can be assured to consume this safe and healthy product.
Add the bean to tacos, burritos for a Mexican taste, or enjoy it as a side dish, dip, or topping. These natural, delicious ingredients are nourishing for both your body and soul. Enjoy the exquisite taste with your family and friends. Feel free to add some salsa for extra spicy flavor if you want.
Highlight Features
- Organic pinto beans
- No GMOs
- Low fat
- Gluten free
- Vegan
- High in protein and fiber
- No cholesterol
Product Specifications
Brand | Army’s Organic |
Net weight | 15.4 |
Pack of | 12 |
Nutrition value per 130g serving | |
Calories | 140 |
Total fat | 3g |
Cholesterol | 0mg |
Sodium | 390mg |
Carbohydrate | 22g |
Protein | 7g |
Pros
- Terrific flavor, never too salty or greasy
- Organic product
- Free of all toxic chemicals
Cons
- None
Old El Paso Refried Spicy Beans
(Best Spicy)
When you have only little time to cook, this canned refried bean is a great option. You can quickly heat it up in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Flavor it the way you like, and this delicious and nourishing bean is ready for adding to your favorite Mexican recipes or for thickening homemade sauce and soup.
Get it and try for yourself, the significant refried beans definitely makes the recipe outstanding and memorable for everyone who shares the taste.
Highlight Features
- Fat free
- Great spice
Product Specifications
Brand | Old El Paso |
Net weight | 16 oz |
Pack of | 12 cans |
Nutrition value per 121g serving | |
Calories | 90 |
Total fat | 0g |
Cholesterol | 0mg |
Sodium | 510mg |
Carbohydrate | 16g |
Protein | 5g |
Pros
- Great taste and consistency
- It’s low fat
- Vegan-friendly
Cons
- The bean is a bit too spicy
HEB Organics Refried Beans
One can of refried bean form the HEB contains all organic products, including pinto beans, water, sea salt, canola oil, onion powder, garlic powder, chili pepper, and spice. All these high-quality ingredients make the bean very delicious and flavorful.
Open the can, heat the bean, and it’s ready to use. You can be creative with the refried beans when it comes to your favorite recipes. Add these flavorful and nutritious beans to your lasagna, soup, sauce, Mexican style dishes, and more.
Highlight Features
- No BPA liner
- USDA organic
- Vegetarian
- Non-GMOs
Product Specifications
Brand | HEB organic |
Net weight | 16 oz |
Pack of | 6 cans |
Nutrition value per 130g serving | |
Calories | 110 |
Total fat | 1.5g |
Cholesterol | 0mg |
Sodium | 510mg |
Carbohydrate | 19g |
Protein | 6g |
Pros
- Suitable for vegetarians
- Free of farming chemicals, organically grown beans
- Great taste
- BPA-free liner
Cons
- Too salty
Santa Fe Bean Instant Southwestern Refried Beans
(Best Low Fat)
As a great narural source of fiber and protein for your body, you can bring this refried bean on your trips or serve it at home.
Not only the Santa Fe Bean’s bean provides great nutrition value, but it also tastes outstanding, and the consistency is just right for every recipe. If you prefer the bean to be less thick, add some water to it when you cook.
Add salsa, garlic powder, onion powder to the bean as you prefer. Apart from pinto beans, this refried bean also contains interesterified soybean oil and salt.
Highlight Features
- Southwestern Style Refried Beans
- High Fiber
- Gluten-Free
- Low Fat
Product Specifications
Brand | Santa Fe Bean |
Net weight | 7.25 oz |
Pack of | 6 pouches |
Nutrition value per 35g serving | |
Calories | 140 |
Total fat | 2g |
Cholesterol | 0mg |
Sodium | 400mg |
Carbohydrate | 21g |
Protein | 7g |
Pros
- Very flavorful
- Great consistency
Cons
- Maybe way too salty for some of you
Bearitos Organic Fat-Free Refried Beans
Being bound in natural fiber and protein, the versatile and convenient Bearitos refried bean has become a staple in many kitchens.
All-natural ingredients are packed in non-BPA liner, and there’s no added artificial colors, flavors and preservatives, you can be sure to use this refried bean every day without taking any risks on your health.
The bean’s ready to cook and serve out of the can, and it heats up quickly. It’s time to add the delicious and nourishing bean to your next memorable meals.
Highlight Features
- Fat free
- Vegan
- Organic
- Non-GMO verified
- No BPA lining
Product Specifications
Brand | Bearitos |
Net weight | 16 oz |
Pack of | 12 cans |
Nutrition value per 130g serving | |
Calories | 80 |
Total fat | 0g |
Cholesterol | 0mg |
Sodium | 360mg |
Carbohydrate | 18g |
Protein | 6g |
Pros
- Not too salty
- Not pre-seasoned, you can flavor the bean as you like
- Cook fast
Cons
- Some dented cans
Santa Fe Bean Instant Fat Free Black Refried Beans
Refried bean is a great source of delicious plant protein, which creates a balance in your diet plan. This Santa Fe’s refried black bean’s also bound in fiber, and it has no fat at all.
Add water when you cook the bean to the desired consistency and add it to your favorite burritos, tacos, and enchiladas.
Also, feel free to flavor and season the bean as you like to make it a yummy go-to ingredient anytime you cook.
Highlight Features
- Black Refried Beans
- All Natural
- High in fiber, protein
- Fat Free
- Gluten-Free
Product Specifications
Brand | Santa Fe Bean |
Net weight | 7.25 oz |
Pack of | 8 pouches |
Nutrition value per 35g serving | |
Calories | 116 |
Total fat | 0g |
Cholesterol | 0mg |
Sodium | 340mg |
Carbohydrate | 22g |
Protein | 8g |
Pros
- The black bean has great texture
- No added seasoning, freedom to flavor your own dishes
Cons
- None
Ortega Refried Beans Traditional
Ortega refried beans brings traditional Mexican style meals to everyone. Roll them in tortillas to make delicious bean tacos, add them to your favorite lasagnas, or top them with cheese to serve as yummy dips.
Just 1 can of refried beans, yet many exciting options to go for. Moreover, those beans are an excellent healthy source of fiber and protein for your daily needs.
And, it only takes less than 10 minutes to heat and serve flavorful refried beans; eating healthy is now no longer a hard thing to do in your busy daily life.
Packed in small and portable cans, Ortega’s refried beans are perfect for bringing with you on your next adventure or camping trip.
Highlight Features
- Rich in Fiber
- Traditional flavor
Product Specifications
Brand | Ortega |
Net weight | 16 oz |
Pack of | 12 cans |
Nutrition value per 131g serving | |
Calories | 130 |
Total fat | 2.5g |
Cholesterol | 0mg |
Sodium | 560mg |
Carbohydrate | 21g |
Protein | 7g |
Pros
- Great consistency, able to spread a thin layer on other ingredients
Cons
- High sodium
Westbrae Natural Organic Black Beans
(Best Low-Sodium)
If you need to lower your sodium intake, this’s a perfect match for you. The beans only contain 125mg of sodium per serving, so you can still enjoy delicious refried black beans while keeping the sodium in check.
These organic whole black beans are ready to heat and serve out of the box. Fry and smash them up with oil, onion, garlic, spice, water, in a pan to make great refried black beans. Easy to heat and only takes a few minutes, the yummy Westbrae refried bean is a snap to add to other recipes or serve as a side dish.
Highlight Features
- Low in sodium
- Low fat
- Organic
- Non-gmo
- Bpa-free lining
Product Specifications
Brand | Westbrae |
Net weight | 15 oz |
Pack of | 12 cans |
Nutrition value per serving | |
Calories | 110 |
Total fat | 0g |
Cholesterol | 0mg |
Sodium | 125mg |
Carbohydrate | 20g |
Protein | 7g |
Pros
- Great organic black beans taste like freshly cooked
- Very low in sodium
Cons
- None
Santiago Smooth Refried Beans
(Best With Lard)
The traditional refried beans recipe brings an authentic taste to all dishes. The recipe of this dried refried bean contains nothing artificial, only dry pinto beans, lard, and salt.
Prepping the bean is easy breezy, you can heat them in a pan while adding water slowly until you get the desired consistency. Stir evenly to make sure the beans blend well with water and other flavors. Onion and garlic powder are some very basic yet great ingredients to flavor your delicious refried beans.
A serving of 130g has 8g protein, and 8g dietary fiber which is 32% of a 2000-calorie diet. What a great source of healthy plant-based protein and fiber.
Highlight Features
- No preservatives
- No artificial colors, flavors
Product Specifications
Brand | Santiago |
Net weight | 29.77 oz |
Pack of | 6 pouches |
Nutrition value per 35g (dry) serving | |
Calories | 170 |
Total fat | 4.5g |
Cholesterol | 2mg |
Sodium | 550mg |
Carbohydrate | 24g |
Protein | 8g |
Pros
- Contains no artificial colors or flavor
- Bound in plant-based protein and fiber
Cons
- High in sodium
Rosarita No Fat Refried Beans with Green Chile and Lime
Opt for this no trans-fat and no sugar refried beans for a healthier meal or snack.
Delicious pinto beans taste like freshly cooked blends well with green chili and lime juice for a unique taste. The perfect balance of added flavor makes the Rosarita beans taste like restaurant refried beans, making the product worth trying.
Convenient can packaging makes the beans handy to heat and serve any time at home or as camping rations on your next trip. Packed with protein and fiber, those beans are a great source of energy and nutrition for your body.
Highlight Features
- No fat
- Flavor with chili and lime juice
Product Specifications
Brand | Rosarita |
Net weight | 16 oz |
Pack of | 12 cans |
Nutrition value per 128g serving | |
Calories | 100 |
Total fat | 0g |
Cholesterol | 0mg |
Sodium | 580mg |
Carbohydrate | 18g |
Protein | 6g |
Pros
- Great flavor and consistency
- No trans fat
Cons
- High in sodium
Casa Corona Instant Mexican Style Refried Beans
Dry refried beans always offer rich flavor, and you can prepare to achieve your desired paste texture. Get the Casa Corona refried bean to experience authentic Mexican meals right in the comfort of your kitchen.
The beans are low-fat, free of cholesterol, making them a healthy yet yummy for tacos, fajitas, rice, or as dips for your beloved chips and snacks.
To prepare these dried refried beans for any dishes, boil beans and water (in 1:1 ratio) in a covered pan, occasionally stir to avoid sticking and simmer the content for 6-8 minutes. After that, the beans are ready for serving.
Remember to seal the bag and store it in a dry and dark place to preserve the unused beans.
Highlight Features
- Low in fat
- Cholesterol free
Product Specifications
Brand | Casa Corona |
Net weight | 3lbs |
Pack of | 1 pouch |
Nutrition value per 35g (dry) serving | |
Calories | 140 |
Total fat | 2g |
Cholesterol | 0mg |
Sodium | 400mg |
Carbohydrate | 21g |
Protein | 7g |
Pros
- Convenient to prepare
- Very flavorful
Cons
- None
Ducal Refried Red Beans
Take a break from pinto and black beans and try these refried red beans from Ducal. Easy and convenient to heat and serve, these refried red beans offer an authentic traditional Latin cuisine taste.
The beans come pre-seasoned, ready to heat and serve right out of the convenient pouch. Add them to your memorable dishes or dip your favorite chips in them – the yummy buttery red beans and enjoy.
Anybody with any cooking background can prepare delicious Ducal refried beans with ease. Heat them up on the stovetop or microwave them, just remember to add water to maintain the moisture of the beans.
Highlight Features
- Cholesterol free
Product Specifications
Brand | Ducal |
Net weight | 14.1 oz |
Pack of | 3 pouches |
Nutrition value per 130g serving | |
Calories | 200 |
Total fat | 10g |
Cholesterol | 0mg |
Sodium | 410mg |
Carbohydrate | 20g |
Protein | 7g |
Pros
- Great red beans flavor, smooth texture
Cons
- High in fat compared to other refried beans
SunVista Organic Pinto Beans
(Best From Scratch)
I highly recommend you try these organic beans out and make your own refried beans.
These delicious whole pinto beans come pre-seasoned, so they’re ready to heat and serve. You can use these whole beans to make refried beans to add to your favorite recipes.
Making refried beans from whole canned beans is very simple, and you’ll be able to adjust the consistency as you prefer. Do as these steps to make yummy refried beans from Sunvista’s organic whole beans.
Step 1: Heat oil in a pan (add some more garlic, onion, chili if you want)
Step 2: Add the beans and fry them
Step 3: Smash the beans, add water until the content gets to desired consistency
Even the pinto beans are pre-seasoned, you can still flavor them more if you’d like to. Wait no more to make your first batch of refried beans. Good luck with it!
Highlight Features
- Great for homemade refried beans
- Low fat
Product Specifications
Brand | Sunvista |
Net weight | 15 oz |
Pack of | 12 cans |
Nutrition value per 130g serving | |
Calories | 120 |
Total fat | 1g |
Cholesterol | 0mg |
Sodium | 530mg |
Carbohydrate | 22g |
Protein | 6g |
Pros
- Beans are flavorful and buttery
- Simple and quick to make refried beans
Cons
- High sodium
Best Canned Refried Beans Buying Guides for
You should pick a product that aligns with your dietary choice, personal preference, and cooking needs. There’re some factors you should consider before shopping for the best canned refried beans.
Types of Refried Beans
- Heat and Serve
This is the most convenient choice for you. It doesn’t take much time to open the can, heat the beans on the stove or in the microwave. In less than 10 minutes, yummy refried bean’s ready to serve.
- From Scratch
This is a great way to prepare the refried bean up to your own standard. For this option, you opt for cans of pinto beans or black beans then make your own refried beans with the personal flavor and consistency preferences. You need more time to make refried beans from scratch. But I’m sure the result’s worth your time and effort.
Diet
If your doctor advices you to stay low on sodium, make sure the sodium in each serving of the refried bean you’re going to buy isn’t too much so that the delicious bean can fit in your meal plan for the day.
And, there’re also no fat or low fat options if you prefer to cut down on your fat intake. Check each product carefully before buying so that you end up with the right product you want
If you’re a vegan, opt for vegan-friendly refried beans that contain no animal product. There’re many options for you. Here’s a great one – the Bearitos Organic Fat-Free Refried Beans.
Moreover, for a low-sodium diet, opt for the Westbrae Natural Organic Black Beans. They contain only 125mg of sodium per serving, much lower than other brands.
Finally, gluten-free refried beans are also available for those who follow the gluten-free diet.
Food Allergies
This’s also an important thing to keep in mind so that you can enjoy the yummy refried bean worry-free. Have a look at the ingredients of each product in order to spot any added ingredients you’re allergic to.
Added Flavors and Seasonings
By checking the product’s ingredients, you’re able to know if the bean is pre-seasoned or not. If you prefer to flavor your dishes as you prefer, it’s best to opt for refried beans with little to no added flavors or seasonings.
FAQs
If, after reading the earlier content and you still have questions about refried beans or any other terms such as non-GMO or organic, you can find out more about these kinds of stuff here.
My Top Pick
Now, you just discovered the 15 best canned refried beans, time to make up your mind on which beans you’re getting. Consider all these different options available and see what beans are suitable for your taste, dietary choice, and cooking style.
I recommend these versatile dried refried beans from Santiago brand – the Santiago Smooth Refried Beans. There’s no added artificial ingredients in the product, the beans taste like they do in restaurants, and you have the freedom to add spice, herbs to the refried beans as you like.
Have you tried El Mexicano refried beans?
Dear Mark,
First of all thanks for contacting me.
Yes, I tried the brand you mention. To tell you the truth, I think it is a little difficult to find. However, they are tasty, especially the black bean version.
Love,
Amanda