# Refried Bean Secrets (3 Stages for Tacos, Tostadas & More)

This recipe reveals the secrets of making refried beans in three different stages (runny, sticky, and retefritos) starting with a good pinto bean recipe, as taught by chefs from a Mexican restaurant in the Rio Grande Valley.

- Total time: 240 min
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Category: Sauce & Condiment
- Language: en

## Ingredients

- 2.5 C Casserole Pinto Beans
- 2 Garlic Cloves
- 2 strips Thick Cut Hickory & Mesquite Smoked Bacon
- 0.5 J & B Salt Pork
- 2 tsp APC OG
- salt
- lard

## Instructions

1. Combine 2.5 cups of Casserole Pinto Beans, 2 garlic cloves, 2 strips of thick cut hickory & mesquite smoked bacon, about half J & B Salt Pork, and 2 tsp of APC OG in a crock pot.
2. Set the crock pot to high to get the beans simmering.
3. Check and stir the beans every hour or so.
4. Cook the beans for approximately four to five hours.
5. To achieve Stage 2 beans, cook them a little drier with some lard for spreading.
6. To achieve Stage 3 beans, add more lard and cook to a toasty finish, incorporating crispy goodness from the bottom of the pan.

## Equipment

- crock pot
- Mexican spoon
- pan

## Tips

- No soaking needed for pinto beans when using a crock pot.
- Check and stir beans every hour while cooking in a crock pot.
- Stage 1 (runny) is perfect for scooping.
- Stage 2 (drier) is good for spreading on tortillas or plates, cooked with a little lard.
- Stage 3 (toasty finish) uses more lard and incorporates crispy bits from the pan, ideal for chalupas as it prevents soggy tortillas.

## Source

- Original video: https://youtu.be/H_lEE5TynVs?si=zWs4H1_OArE9ZO8D
- Recipe page: https://www.cliprecipe.com/recipe/a842cbd5-41c7-487d-a2cb-9f95f56082b7
- Extracted: 2026-03-15

Extracted from the video by Clip Recipe (https://www.cliprecipe.com). Quantities and steps are as stated or shown in the video. Site guide for agents: https://www.cliprecipe.com/llms.txt