Crock Pot Fat Free Refried Beans for the Freezer - OAMC

Tish's Note:

It's nice to have some refried beans you can pull out of the freezer for a side with your Mexican meals without opening a can with all the extra fat. One side serving is 1/2 cup, which also makes about 4 tacos or burritos These are a great side dish, may also be used for burritos, and can be served as a main dish with plenty of shredded cheddar and salsa on top. Take the time and make these ahead. You won't be sorry!

• Total Time: 10 hrs 15 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 10 hrs

Ingredients:

Yield: 2 quarts

• 1 lb dried beans , soaked overnight
• 4 cups water
• 1 cup brewed coffee
• 3 minced garlic cloves , don't substitute powdered (optional)
• 1 onions, diced or 1 bunch fresh parsley or 1 bunch fresh cilantro or 1 cup celery & leaves , chopped with stems
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 ½ teaspoons oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt , to taste

Directions:

1. Drain soaked beans and place in a crock pot along with remaining ingredients except salt. Make sure that the beans are covered with liquid by about 1".
2. Stir well, cover and cook on low all day, about 8-10 hours, until tender. Keep an eye on them and make sure they don't get dry.
3. Add salt.
4. Use a potato masher or heat safe (canning) jar bottom to mash well and stir with a wooden spoon.
5. Continue to mash and stir until desired consistency.
6. To freeze, put in a freezer Ziploc and flatten into a layer to freeze, or no more than 2" deep in freezer containers.

Reviews

[viviansmomma]

I did this recently and it worked out wonderfully. I keep my beans whole incase I need them for chili or baked beans, instead of refried beans. I use my food processor to mash them up for refried beans. Delicious, easy and cheap.

[Chef #1449795]

Loved these beans! I used 1 lb. black beans and 1 green onion. I also added a little more water to make 1 inch over beans, which was good because my crock was on warm 3 hours longer than I expected. Still turned out great. Not too watery and mashed quickly with my hand blender. We got 4 ziplocs for the freezer plus 1 for dinner that night. I can't wait to experiment with other beans and flavors.
Also, I used the recipe builder for Weight Watchers, and it's 10 points plus for 1/4 the entire crock. Then divide by your number of servings.No HFCS like canned beans, low points, and SO easy! Thanks, Tish!

[LonghornMama]

Yum! Used an onion. Drained cooked beans before running through with the hand blender. Added salt and about 1/2 cup of recipe #9272. Absolutely cannot believe I forgot to double the recipe. I would highly suggest doing so if making for the freezer. Tonight I used these for simple bean burritos which I threw in ziploc bags for the freezer. My notes: use regular-sized flour tortillas, beans, cheddar cheese, spray with oil and bake at 350 for 15 minutes. Makes 28. Thanks, Tish!