Cheater Restaurant Style Refried Beans have a yummy, restaurant like, creamy consistency and flavor. I always use this for a side to our Mexican dishes.
Cheater Restaurant Style Refried Beans
You are going to LOVE these “cheater” restaurant style refried beans. They are the perfect dip and so good with Mexican dishes. Have you ever noticed that when you get refried beans at a restaurant they are creamy and smooth and easy to dip your chips in, but the canned stuff is so thick, breaks your chips, and doesn’t taste nearly as good? Well this is my “cheater” recipe to make the canned stuff have that restaurant like consistency and flavor. In fact, I like the flavor of these refried beans even better than anything I have had at a restaurant.
Restaurant refried beans vs. canned
If you’re talking plain canned beans, then, the restaurant refried beans vs. canned debate is over in a snap. Restaurant versions win. But, if you’re talking about these awesome cheater refried beans, the answer flips. Cheater Restaurant Style Refried Beans have a little more intensity and kick, which I love. They aren’t too spicy but definitely have a little spice. You can amp up the spice by adding more hot sauce, or tone it down by adding less — whatever your family prefers! Make sure to use the Valentina brand of hot sauce! It is the best! You can find it with the Hispanic food at most grocery stores.
Which beans to use?
We like to use the Taco Bell brand of refried beans. They seem to fit this recipe the best. However, if you’re looking to make this recipe a little lighter you can use the low-fat or non-fat refried beans. You may have to alter the amount of sour cream you add, depending on the consistency of the beans you buy. The Taco Bell brand is pretty thick so we add 1/3 cup of sour cream, but if your beans are more runny to begin with then you might want to only add 1/4 cup or less.
Best Mexican Food Recipes
I use these restaurant style refried beans (and our Restaurant Style Mexcian Rice) for sides every time I make Mexican food at home, we honestly never make a Mexican dish without these two sides anymore. Some of my favorite dishes to serve these with are our Carne Asada Burritos and our Honey Lime Chicken Enchiladas. It also makes a much better base for 7 layer bean dips (it’s perfect for our 9 layer bean dip HERE). You can also spoon these beans right into a burrito or taco or on top of a big, cheesy pile of nachos. Whatever you do, just get these on your table next time you eat Mexican food!
How to Make Restaurant Style Refried Beans
Ingredients
- 1 can refried beans I like the Taco Bell brand
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 1 Tbsp Valentina hot sauce
- 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese grated (or a cheddar/jack blend)
Instructions
- In a small sauce pan combine the refried beans, sour cream, and hot sauce over medium-low heat.
- Stir constantly and when the beans are heated through (don't bring it to boiling) remove from heat and pour into a glass pie pan or 9x9 dish.
- Top with grated cheese and heat in the oven or microwave until cheese is melted.
Jamie says
Can someone tell me where I can get the hot sauce or a good substitute for it because I cannot find the Valentina hot sauce anywhere! Thanks in advance! 😉
Haley says
going to make tonite, sounds delicious and simple to make im all about quick and simple since I’m a very busy mom, thanks for sharing!! Also I don’t think is very polite for others to push recipes on others blogs, please get your own!! God bless and thanks again for sharing.
Erica says
Thank you so much for your nice comment! Hope you liked the refried beans!
Andrea (Quest for Delish) says
We just love this dish. My son gets so happy when I make it. I just added it to my blog. Come by and check it out.http://questfordelish.blogspot.com/2016/01/restaurant-style-bean-dip.html
Samuel YOUNG says
I love this recipe! I usually add a packet of taco seasoning to the mix as well.
connie says
So glad I found your recipe. I am cooking up a crockpot full of pinto beans and ham for dinner a couple times this week. I had put way too many beans into soak last night which means I will cook excess on stove top for refried bean dip….perfect timing with SUPER BOWL this Sunday!
Erica says
Great idea! So glad you you were able to rescue the excess beans!
Steve says
I just wanted to let you know, I’m hosting SuperBowl 50 party, and am doing a Messican Fiesta theme.. Im making these beans and your rice dish for sides. Your site and recipes are awesome, and I must come back and check out more.. Thank you so much.
Erica says
Thanks so much! How did you like them? I made burritos out of the beans and rice today too. Great minds think alike ????
deni says
Valentino hot sauce can be found on the Mexican aisle at Walmart. They also make an extra hot version, which I will be using tonight! Can’t wait to try this along with your Spanish rice recipe and tacos.
Krishna says
What degree do you put the oven on and for how long
Emily says
Around 375, and just until the cheese melts- maybe 5 minutes.
Breeannah says
So simple, I hope it’s good. I Will be making this tonight with some homemade chicken and cream cheese taquitos.
Pat says
I have ditched the can. I make mine from dried pinto beans in the slow cooker. It’s cheaper, I can control how much to make, and it’s lower in sodium. Well worth it.
Tara says
Have you ever tried it with Greek yogurt instead of sour cream? I’m am thinking of trying your recipe in the morning for huevos rancheros and our of sour cream
Erica says
We haven’t used Greek yogurt before but I am sure it would be fine! Let us know how it turns out if you try it!
Emma says
If there were a star rating, I’d give it 5/5! I just made it and my husband and I gluttonly ate it all! (Granted that’s all I made for dinner). Anyway, it was great and very much like restaurants. And, I have now discovered Valentina sauce! (Btw, we use the sour cream you find by the Mexican cheeses- it’s Cacique brand, called Crema Mexicana: Agria Sour Cream– I highly recommend for all your sour cream needs.)
Erica says
Ooh I love Crema– great idea to use that as a substitute! So glad you liked this recipe 😀 Thanks for taking the time to comment!
kim daigle says
is there a difference between in the regular sour cream and the crema?
Mireya says
Would it come out the same if I put it together the night before, refrigerate, then warm up the following day?
Emily says
Yes, that should work great!
Lifesaver says
Taco Bell refrid beans are the best besides homemade.
I’ve always thinned mine with water but I will differently try the sour cream.
Echo says
Thanks for the tip, Lifesaver!
Ann B says
We are hosting a fiesta bridal shower serving tacos and want to have refried beans a as side item. Will this recipe work for that or is it more of a dip for chips? I know that may be a silly question, but I don’t care for refried beans myself so I really know. 🙂
Erica says
Yes, we usually serve it as a side dish. 🙂 You can use it as either a dip or a side
Jennifer says
Would it be okay to put these in a crockpot to cook?
Favorite Family Recipes says
That should totally be fine. Yo will just want it on low, probably, to avoid burning. Hope this helps!
Tricia says
Wow, yum. I have added cheese and hot sauce to refried beans before, but never thought to use sour cream. So creamy, cheesy, and delicious. Thanks!
Erica says
So glad you liked it! The sour cream makes all the difference. I think that is the “secret” that makes it taste like restaurant refried beans. 🙂 Thanks for the 5-stars!
Melissa D says
My go-to recipe for beans (but my family likes to eat it as a dip with tortilla chips).
Emily Walker says
Same!!
Chandra Dhopatkar says
Like another commenter I cooked a whole bag of pinto beans and needed a way to utilize them. Your recipe is great. I just wanted to add that you can freeze them for up to 8 months if you make a ton like I did. Just defrost a portion here and there night before and lunch is served next day — no problem. Also another idea is to make layered dip for evening snacking. Some guacamole, sour cream, refried beans, and hummus…. Mmmm mmmm mmm. Thanks for the sour cream tip!
Amanda Camplain says
Very good!!!! Now I need to find a way to make $1.00 Spanish rice side in a bag taste better. Any suggestions?
Erica Walker says
Hmmm our best suggestion is to make restaurant style Mexican rice. It tastes better than those rice side dishes 🙂 Click HERE for the recipe!
KPatterson says
These were delicious! I didn’t measure the sour cream as I was in a hurry and I think I added a little more than a third cup so mine were lighter in color but they were still very good. I didn’t have the hot sauce brand that you referenced so I used what I had in the pantry. This will be my new recipe for
quick refried beans. Thank you for sharing a great recipe.