The Best Way To Dress Up Canned Refried Beans

Many restaurant-prepared refried beans are crafted in-house using lard. A source of animal fat, lard is used in traditional Mexican refried beans to give them a rich mouthfeel.

Store-bought refried beans; however, often lack creaminess and flavor due to the absence of lard. Fortunately, adding sour cream can provide them with that creamy, fatty goodness.

Drop your canned refried beans into a pan or pot, add about ⅓ to ⅔ cups of sour cream, warm everything up, and stir until smooth. Your beans should be ready within minutes.

If you’re plant-based or dairy-free, consider using vegan sour cream or cashew cream instead. The hack works for all bean varieties — fat-free, black, or classic refried beans.