There are certain types of foods that you could use for many purposes, refried beans are one of them. Refried beans can be used for nachos, taco night, as a dip, and several other purposes. Refried beans can also be made at home. You will already know what refried beans are if you are familiar with Tex-Mex dishes or Mexican foods. Do you by any chance know how you can make them? Are you aware that refried beans can be dehydrated?
It is quite simple to dehydrate refried beans. If you have a dehydrator, that is the most preferred way but if you don’t, dehydrating could also be done in an oven. Also note that to rehydrate the beans after dehydrating is also easy. What we want to check out in this article is to show you how you can prepare your refried beans and also take you through the process of how you can dehydrate, preserve, and store them. We will also check out some simple information and tips about the process of dehydration in general. You are encouraged to continue reading to get all the valuable information about your refried beans and many other useful details.
Refried Beans – A Guide to Dehydration and More
We will like to begin from scratch and you are very much aware that first and foremost, you will need your refried beans. It is recommended that you prepare your refried beans by yourself. It is not too difficult and you can also make the flavor to your taste and also add some other ingredients that you wish. You could also buy your refried beans if that is what you like. You could get it cheap at your local stores, but the only disadvantage is that these types of beans have already been processed, canned, and it contains an extra amount of water. We only tried to show you the difference in the results.
Make Your Own Refried Beans
You could search online for a series of recipes and their processes of preparations which could be a bit extensive. You will find a variety of recipe options that you can use. The recipe we want to share is just the basic method that you can use to prepare your refried beans and the good thing is that you can adjust it as you like.
You could either buy canned pinto beans or pinto beans that have been freshly cooked. You are permitted to add or change the seasonings as you would like it to your taste. Check below for the general guidelines to make your refried beans:
The ingredients you will be needing are as follows:
- Lime juice (1/2 of fresh lime is recommended)
- Salt
- Chili powder
- Cumin
- Pinto beans; you can either prepare yours or buy the canned type
- Garlic powder, garlic cloves, and minced garlic
- Canola oil
You only require a few ingredients for making refried beans. You basically need pinto beans, then the seasonings which will help the taste. The process is quite simple and not complicated at all.
Check below for the steps you can use to prepare your refried beans to give you appropriate results:
- Allow the oil in your skillet to heat up.
- Sauté it under medium heat before you smash if you are using fresh garlic.
- You should proceed by stirring in your pinto beans.
- To taste, add seasoning.
- Allow it to cook until the beans are heated well and you should occasionally stir.
- Proceed by smashing the beans mixture by using the potato masher.
- You will need to squeeze your ½ lime on the beans mixture and endeavor to stir very well.
- You are done, your refried beans are ready.
From the beginning to the end, it only takes about 10 to 20 minutes your time to prepare refried beans. It is not time-consuming and it only requires a few steps.
You will need to eat the refried beans after preparing. In case you are in need of options probably after preparing too much or you have several leftovers, you will have to find a way not to waste it.
Dehydration Explained
Food items have usually been preserved by the common method dehydration for a very long time. We only get to enjoy several meals like jerky and dried fruits thanks to dehydration. Before technology came and also the continuous advancement of knowledge and products such as freezers, dehydration is the method used to preserve food. Food items that have been dehydrated can stay good for a very long time and they take up lesser space.
The method of dehydration is by drying all the moisture in the food and it is usually done by using heat. Several centuries and decades ago, dehydration was usually done under the natural heat of the sun but nowadays, vacuum tools and dehydrators help to do this within some hours. Some foods can also be freeze-dried for the process of dehydration. The easiest method for the process of dehydration is to use the dehydrator but your beans can also be dehydrated in an oven quickly and easily. Check both of these steps in the sections below:
How To Dehydrate Refried Beans
We will like to show you both the cons and pros of dehydrating your refried beans for you to know what you are trying to do:
Let’s start with the cons:
Cons to Rehydrating Refried Beans
- You will have to rehydrate the beans before you use them.
- The flavor could be tampered with when rehydrating.
- You might need to put additional seasoning or add shredded cheese
Pros to Dehydrating Refried Beans
- You can make them ahead of time and store them
- You can prepare your refried beans in your travel packs.
- Dehydrating is quite easy.
- It works excellently well for survival and hiking kits.
Irrespective of what your reason is for dehydrating your beans, it is an option that will preserve the beans and also make it easy for you to move around. Among the camping and hiking communities, refried beans that have been dehydrated are quite popular in those areas because they are very versatile and quite easy to make. Let’s proceed to check the process of dehydration:
Dehydrating Refried Beans In A Dehydrator
- Use plastic wrap to lay the dehydrator trays to easily clean up after the process.
- Spread your refried beans on the tray.
- Run the dehydrator for two to four hours, ensure you regularly check the beans.
- Remove the beans from the trays when they are dry and proceed to crush.
- Store it in storage bags, vacuum seal, or an airtight container that will make it airtight.
Dehydrating Refried Beans In The Oven
- Use parchment paper to lay your baking sheet
- Spread the refried beans over the baking sheet or spoon it in thin layers
- Allow it to bake for up to 10 minutes, at a temperature of 350°F until it is dry
- Proceed to crush and smash your dried refried beans by using a rolling pin, food processor, or any other tool.
- Store it in storage bags, vacuum seal, or an airtight container that will make it airtight.
Rehydrating Dehydrated Beans
You have to know how you can rehydrate the refried beans if you want to dehydrate them. Whenever you want to eat them, you must rehydrate them, thus, the need to know how you can do that. It is easy when you want to rehydrate refried beans, but you have to have a source of heat and then water to do it correctly. The process recommended is as follows:
- Boil water inside a saucepan
- Pour the refried beans that have been dehydrated in the boiling water and proceed to whisk the mixture.
- Allow it to heat until boiling before you reduce the heat, cover it, and allow it to simmer for about 10 to 12 minutes.
- Ensure to stir as you reheat.
- Put some additional seasoning or add shredded cheese to taste.
You can proceed to put the refried beans in a bottle of water if you will be going on camping or hiking and you can store it inside your packet. The water will soak and proceed to rehydrate your beans. Though the beans cannot get hot, they will be edible. Whenever you want to store and preserve your refried beans without you using up freezer space, dehydrating and then rehydrating them will give you the best option and they are both quite simple to do. Ensure you label and add a date to the packets when you want to store. The beans can be preserved for a number of years with the quality kept intact without any concern about it getting rotten.
Related Questions
You must have learned one or two things as regards dehydrating your refried beans. We will like you to check below for some of our answers to additional questions that may be bothering your mind.
Can Refried Beans Be Made More Flavorful?
There are several ways you can use your refried beans because they are versatile. They can be used as a dip and as substances added to other food types. They can also be eaten alone. You can proceed to change them to meet up to your tastes if you don’t the flavor is not enough for you. You could add pepper flakes, onions, or chopped peppers for additional flavor and spices. You can also mix any kind of seasoning as you wish. Be easy with salt but you should not be scared to try several spices.
Are Refried Beans Bad for You?
Refried beans could contain a high content of sodium, most especially the canned type. If you are making them at home, you can still control the content of sodium in them. Refried beans are classified as healthy aside from the factors regarding sodium. The beans have a high level of potassium, protein, and dietary fiber. They also contain vitamin C, magnesium, and manganese. All of these nutrients are needed by the body.
