Refried beans, canned, vegetarian
Whole food · Legumes and Legume Products
Photo: Wikipedia
Refried beans, canned, vegetarian, are a creamy, savory staple made from mashed pinto beans cooked with onion and spices. They offer a rich, earthy flavor with a smooth, thick texture that's perfect for scooping or spreading. A standout nutrition highlight is their impressive fiber content, with nearly 4 grams per 100g serving.
💚 Why it's loved
People love refried beans for their comforting, savory taste and incredible versatility, serving as a dip, side dish, or filling. They are deeply embedded in Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine, evoking a sense of tradition and home-cooked flavor.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
Canned refried beans can be high in sodium, which may be a concern for those monitoring salt intake. To counteract this, look for low-sodium versions or rinse the beans briefly, and pair them with fresh, low-sodium toppings like salsa or avocado.
Key benefits
- Excellent source of dietary fiber for digestive health
- Plant-based protein source
- Low in fat and cholesterol-free
- Provides essential minerals like iron and magnesium
- Convenient and shelf-stable pantry item
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The term 'refried' is a mistranslation of the Spanish 'frijoles refritos,' which actually means 'well-fried beans,' not beans that are fried again.
Full nutrition (scales with serving)
| Water | 77.5 g |
| Ash | 1.6 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 3.9 g |
| Sucrose | 0.62 g |
| Glucose | 0.00 g |
| Fructose | 0.00 g |
| Lactose | 0.00 g |
| Maltose | 0.00 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 31.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.5 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 35.3 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 94.3 mg |
| Potassium, K | 337 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 281 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.61 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.18 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.36 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.03 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.11 mg |
| Niacin | 0.53 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.08 mg |
| Biotin | 2.6 ug |
| Folate, total | 34.8 ug |
| Choline, total | 32.7 mg |
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.22 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 5:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 7:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 9:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 11:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 15:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.16 g |
| SFA 17:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.04 g |
| SFA 20:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 21:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 22:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 23:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 24:0 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.34 g |
| MUFA 12:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 14:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 15:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 17:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.33 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 22:1 n-9 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 n-11 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 24:1 c | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.74 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.52 g |
| PUFA 18:2 CLAs | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.22 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-6 c,c,c | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:2 c | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:3 n-3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:3 n-6 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:3 n-9 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5c | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:2 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 c | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 c | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.00 g |
| TFA 14:1 t | 0.00 g |
| TFA 16:1 t | 0.00 g |
| TFA 18:1 t | 0.00 g |
| TFA 20:1 t | 0.00 g |
| TFA 22:1 t | 0.00 g |
| TFA 18:2 t | 0.00 g |
| TFA 18:3 t | 0.00 g |
FAQ
Are refried beans vegetarian?
Traditional refried beans are often made with lard, but vegetarian canned versions use vegetable oil or no added fat, making them suitable for vegetarians and vegans.
How can I reduce the sodium in canned refried beans?
Choose low-sodium varieties, rinse the beans under water, or dilute them with a bit of water or broth to lower the salt content.
What is the difference between refried beans and mashed beans?
Refried beans are typically cooked with fat (like oil or lard) and aromatics, then mashed and often fried again to develop a richer flavor and smoother texture compared to simply mashed beans.
Can I eat refried beans on a low-carb diet?
Refried beans are relatively high in carbohydrates, so they may not fit strict low-carb diets, but they can be included in moderation for those following a balanced or moderate-carb approach.