Refried Bean Dip

Refried Bean Dip is so ridiculously easy and tastes way too good for something that's this easy to make. Just a few simple ingredients and a few minutes, and you've got yourself something truly awesome.

A few weeks ago on the podcast, we talked about emergy dinners we like to keep on hand for those days when we don't want to order takeout, but we're just too exhausted to cook for real. Louise talked about keeping frozen pizzas in the house. Many of our listeners shared their favorites, like boxed mac and cheese or frozen gyozas. I don't have much space in my freezer, so for me, it's all about the pantry staples.

Sometimes it's pasta with butter, a few spices, and lots of Parmesan cheese. I also eat a lot of toast with peanut butter at all hours of the day. Occasionally, it's a can of chilli. But my absolute favorite emergy meal is refried beans. If I've got tortillas, I'll make burritos. If I'm feeling fancy, I'll make proper nachos. But if it's just me at home all by myself, starving and desperate, it's crunched up tortilla chips in the bottom of a bowl with refried beans quickly heated in a pan, and a dollop of sour cream if I can get it. It's a mess, and I love it.

What makes Refried Bean Dip so awesome?

When I'm feeling more civilized, though, and sharing with friends, I'll make them this simple refried bean dip. It's basically just a doctored up can of good refried beans and lots of cheese, but you cannot tell me that it's not delicious. I don't know anyone who's not eagerly digging into this. Sure, the color is a bit bland. It may not be the prettiest dip you've ever seen, but it tastes amazing.

You could certainly wrap this in a tortilla with other toppings for a burrito. You could also incorporate it into nachos if that's your jam. But I prefer it as a dip. I put the cheese straight ino so the chips maintain maximum crunch. I also like to serve this with a dish of sour cream to bring a bit of bright acid to the richness of the beans. You could also bring out an array of hot sauces for people to sample to give a variety of heat options.

Magical Properties of Pinto Beans

Beans of all varieties have magical properties in common, and they have been used in witchcraft and folklore for centuries. From divination to spellwork, they have a place in our practice. Pinto beans in particular are said to open channels and create action and movement. They can also be used to call in kindness. Whether you're cooking with them or adding them to a charm bag, these little beans hold big potential. (Source: Shirley Twofeathers)

To learn more about the magical properties of the ingredients in this recipe, check the Kitchen Magick page.

Ingredients

Here's everything you'll need to make this dip. The full details are in the recipe card below.

• Canned refried beans - Not all brands are created equal, so find the one you like
• Garlic powder
• Cumin
• Cayenne
• Hot sauce
• Shredded cheese - Use cheddar, pepper jack, monterrey jack, or any melty cheese you have on hand
• Green onions - optional but nice for a bit of crunch

Tips for making Refried Bean Dip

As I mentioned, this is often my emergency dinner, so this version is only slightly more complicated than I would make when nearly comatose. Real talk, I put it in a cast iron skillet to make it cute for the photos. Any pan will do.

Start by opening a can of your favorite refried beans and spooning it into a saucepan or skillet over low heat. You want to heat this gently and stir it regularly as it's quite thick so it does have a tendency to scorch if it's too hot. It still only takes 10 minutes tops. Also, I highly advise scraping down the inside of the can and licking the spoon like it's cake batter.

While your beans are gently heating, enhance their flavor with some seasonings. I like a bit of garlic powder or granules, some cumin, and some cayenne. I also add a heavy dose of hot sauce. Adjust to the heat levels you prefer. The hot sauce will also thin out your beans a little bit, so if you skip it all together, I suggest adding a couple of tablespoons of water.

Stir that all together, then stir in your cheese and let it heat gently until it's piping hot and your cheese is melted and gooey. You can sprinkle on some chopped green onions before serving. Eat this with corn chips, sour cream, and salsa.

Whether it's a Tuesday night alone on the couch or a casual gathering with friends, this Refried Bean Dip is always gonna be awesome.

Looking for more awesome dip recipes? Try this Mexican Spinach Dip or some Swiss & Bacon Dip.

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