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    Home » Recipes » Frozen Foods » Can You Freeze Refried Beans? Yes: See What To Do With Leftovers

    Can You Freeze Refried Beans? Yes: See What To Do With Leftovers

    Published: May 22, 2021 · Modified: Jun 11, 2021 by Jenna Passaro · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    Image collage with text overlay "how to freeze refried beans" with bean dip photos.

    When you hear the words “refried beans,” you might think of Tex-Mex cuisine, Mexican food, and Superbowl side dishes. But what happens to the leftovers? Can you freeze refried beans to use in the future?

    Top down shot of refried bean dip for a party.
    Store bought or homemade refried beans are perfectly freezer friendly.

    This guide will tell you everything you need to know about freezing refried beans, including what to do with the extras. With this guide, you’ll be able to confidently meal prep freezer friendly refried beans for burritos, dips, taco salads, enchiladas and more.

    Table of Contents

    • Can You Freeze Canned Refried Beans?
    • Can You Freeze Refried Bean Dip?
    • Can You Freeze Homemade Refried Beans?
    • What’s In Refried Bean Dip?
    • Storing Beans In The Refrigerator
    • Freezer Meal Plan With Refried Beans
    • That’s All There Is To It
    • Are you a foodie, too?

    Can You Freeze Canned Refried Beans?

    Since refried beans contain water, they will expand when frozen. Any time you freeze store-bought beans will need to transfer them to a heavy-duty container. A plastic or glass Tupperware should do the trick.

    Mix in a little oil or water to keep them from thickening too much and leave room in the container for expansion. Frozen refried beans can be kept 3-6 months, maybe even for years if you have a deep freezer. Thaw in the fridge overnight to use in all your favorite cookbook recipes.

    Side closeup shot of refried bean dip with queso cheese on top.

    Can You Freeze Refried Bean Dip?

    Have a lot of refried bean dip leftover after a party or special event? No worries.

    Divide the leftovers into heavy-duty Ziplock bags. Squeeze the excess air from the freezer bags, zip, and pop into the freezer. This allows you to defrost your leftovers as needed, rather than all at once.

    If you notice the consistency is a bit watery after defrosting, just add some oil and give them a good stir. 

    Side shot of thawed after freezing refried bean dip with Mexican cheese and nacho chips.

    Can You Freeze Homemade Refried Beans?

    Homemade refried beans are a great addition to any family meal. Serve up your creation with some tortilla chips or breakfast tacos or air fryer frozen burritos. If you have leftovers, you can freeze them the same way you would store-bought beans.

    It is important to remember that canned refried beans include preservatives that extend their shelf life. So, the ones you make yourself won’t last as long as those you buy at the grocery store.

    Make sure you label your storage container with the date before freezing, to help you keep track of time. Home cooked refried beans last around three to six months when frozen.

    Can you freeze flour tortillas? Yes you can! Check out the post to see how!

    Bowl of refried bean dip with cheddar cheese.

    What’s In Refried Bean Dip?

    Making your own refried beans is quite simple. Here’s an overview on how to make them. You’ll need the following ingredients:

    • 4 cups cooked pinto beans
    • ¼ cup olive oil
    • ½ tsp onion powder
    • ½ tsp garlic powder
    • ½ tsp salt
    • Chili powder to taste

    To make it:

    1. Cover pinto beans with water and boil for one hour.  

    2. Heat oil in a pan. Add salt, onion powder, garlic powder, beans, and ¼ cup of the boiled water.

    3. Use a potato masher to blend the ingredients as they cook. Keep mashing until you get the consistency that you like.

    Serve up your creation with some tortilla chips or homemade breakfast tacos. If you really want to start from scratch, soak dry beans for 6 to 8 hours and use them as directed above. Freeze leftovers in a heavy-duty container or plastic bag.

    Storing Beans In The Refrigerator

    Refried beans will keep for three to four days in the refrigerator. This is true for both store-bought and homemade. If you decide to leave them in the can, make sure to cover them with plastic wrap.

    Side closeup shot of refried bean dip with queso cheese on top.

    Freezer Meal Plan With Refried Beans

    Although the beans won’t last as long as freezing, this is a great storage option if you plan to use them in several different dishes.

    • Use them in baked potatoes on Monday.
    • Add them to gourmet nachos on Tuesday.
    • Make a Mexican-style homemade pizza or leftover pork quesadillas on Wednesday.

    That’s All There Is To It

    So, can you freeze refried beans? Absolutely!

    Freezing refried beans is a simple and practical solution for dealing with leftovers. All you need is an air-tight storage container, and some leftover refried beans recipe ideas and you are good to go!

    Are your tastebuds watering yet? Check out some restaurant style recipes you can make at home.

    Side shot of bowl of tortellini pasta salad with black beans.

    Are you a foodie, too?

    Love beans? Check out my Mexican vegetable salad or tortellini pasta salad.

    Connect with me on Instagram @sipbitego to get my latest recipes.

    Want to make restaurant-style food at home? I teach you how, here on Sip Bite Go and with in-depth video guides on the Sip Bite Go channel.

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    jenna passaro food blogger from Portland Oregon

    Hey, I’m Jenna Passaro.

    I develop easy recipes that can transform your kitchen into a restaurant – and you into a true home chef.

      

    Where to start?

    Learn the secrets to making pizza at home. And cook amazing tri tip steak dinners.

    Or, fall in love with something new to cook with your air fryer, pellet smoker, BBQ grill, sous vide cooker, and more…

    You’ll notice, I kind of geek out over new cooking trends and tools!

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    My story. Growing up, I didn’t learn to cook.

    (I was actually banned from cooking for years)

    And then in my 20’s I didn’t have to cook because my job as an event planner involved a lot of travel and it was easier to eat out. At the time, I was 100% positive that restaurant food would always taste better than cooking at home, and there was nothing I could do about it.

    Until I fell in love with a chef. He would come over and cook me delicious meals right in my own kitchen. My mind was blown.

    Since then, I’ve been on a mission to figure out easy ways to make restaurant style food at home and share it here on Sip Bite Go.

    Love to eat out and travel? I can totally relate. See my guide on where to eat in Portland, OR.

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    Never in a million years did I imagine I’d ditch the 9-5 lifestyle in my late 20’s, move across the country on a whim, start a new life, start a food blog, and write a book.

    But here I am!

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