As a single mom, I work full-time and have a freelancing job on the side. To save time, I set aside my Sunday afternoons making what I call freezer meals. Recently, my kids developed a taste for refried beans and ask for it all the time. Wanting to take advantage of the nutrients from beans, can I make a freezer meal with refried beans?
This is a common scenario for single parents. They have so much to do with so little time to accomplish everything. Freezing food and storing them in small packs enough for one meal for the whole family is one way to make sure that the kids get the nutrition they need in half the time needed to prepare the meal.
Quick Answer
If you too are wondering if refried meals can be frozen, the answer is a resounding yes! Refried beans can be frozen without losing not only how it tastes but most importantly, its nutritional value.
Can You Freeze Refried Beans?
There are more ways than one to store refried beans. You can refrigerate or freeze it depending on how long you want to keep it in storage.
Before putting it in the fridge however, make sure to drizzle olive oil over your beans. But if you plan to freeze, forget about the olive oil and use water instead.
Refried beans stored in the fridge can stay there for 4-5 days without spoiling. Freezing it lengthens its shelf life to 1-2 months.
If you want your refried beans to last longer, you can store your homemade refried beans by canning it. Just make sure that you do it with a pressure canner for a longer shelf life.
Freezing does not change the taste and texture of refried beans. However, the beans can go dry when you allow it to boil when reheating.
Adding water, stock or broth to your beans will prevent it from getting dry when you reheat. Just be mindful to go easy on the water as it can make your beans soggy.
How to Freeze Refried Beans
Freezing refried beans is easy. The steps differ depending on whether you are freezing canned or homemade beans.
Before you go ahead with your freezer meals, here are some things to keep in mind:
- Do not use tin cans to store your freezer meal. Instead, use plastic or glass containers.
- Make sure that the containers you use are air-tight to prevent oxidation.
- Use a straw to suck air out of zip lock bags you use for storing.
When freezing canned beans, all you need to do is get it out of the can and wash the beans with water. Place it inside an airtight container and you’re ready to freeze it.
When making the refried beans from scratch, soak it in water for 24 hours before slow cooking. Do not add salt and other seasoning before the beans are cooked. Salt can make it harder to cook.
As in freezing, store homemade beans in airtight containers. Just make sure that it has already cooled down before placing it inside the freezer.
How To Use Up Extra/Leftover Refried Beans?
Refried beans are a delicious and versatile food that can be used in a variety of dishes. But what do you do when you have extra refried beans? Here are five delicious ways to use up your leftover refried beans:
1. Make a quesadilla – Refried beans make a great filling for quesadillas. Just add them to a tortilla with some cheese and other favorite toppings, and you’ll have a delicious and easy meal in no time.
2. Use them as a dip – Refried beans also make a great dip for chips or vegetables. Just add some spices and seasonings, and you’ll have a tasty snack that everyone will love.
3. Add them to your burrito – To give your burrito a little extra flavor and texture, try adding some refried beans to the mix. Just add them in with your other favorite ingredients, and you’ll have a delicious and filling meal in no time.
4. Make a bean dip – Bean dips are a great way to use up leftover refried beans. Just add them to a blender with some spices and seasonings, and you’ll have a delicious and healthy snack that everyone will love.
5. Use them as a topping – Refried beans can also be used as a topping for nachos or tacos. Just add them on top of your favorite toppings, and you’ll have a delicious and easy meal in no time.
So there you have it – five delicious ways to use up your leftover refried beans. Next time you find yourself with extra beans, try one of these recipes and enjoy!
Recipes
If you do not like the taste of canned refried beans, here’s a recipe on how to make it taste better. Can you believe that the secret of this recipe is just butter? Watch how this is done here:
In this next video, you will learn how to make quesadillas with refried beans. This recipe is not only very delicious; it is also packed with healthy goodness.
This last recipe is for those who have been buying canned beans and missing out a lot from making this Mexican staple yourself. See what you’re missing by watching this:
Wrap Up
Yes, you can freeze refried beans. Frozen refried beans will last for up to 9 months in the freezer if stored properly. It is also important to know that refried beans lose their flavor when thawed. Follow these steps for freezing refried beans: allow the beans to cool down after cooking, store properly in the freezer bag, push out all the air while sealing tightly, label the bag with today’s date, thaw before reheating them in a pan.
I would love to hear your experience with freezing refried beans or if you have any questions about it, please let me know by leaving a comment below.