Dehydrated refried black beans - Eat Sleep Wild (2024)

For the beans

• 200 g dried black beans
• 3 bay leaves
• 1 tsp dried epazote (optional)
• 4 cloves garlic (peeled)
• 1 onion-halved

For the refried beans

• 1 onion (diced)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 6 red chillies (deseeded and finely chopped)
• 3 garlic cloves (peeled and finely chopped)
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 tbsp epazote (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 orange (juice of)
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• lots of chopped coriander
• salt and pepper

Garnishes (optional)

• Avocado
• Fresh limes
• Chopped coriander
• Chopped tomato
• Chopped onion
• Grated cheese
• Pickled jalapeno
• Sliced cabbage or lettuce

At home

1. Soak the beans in lots of water overnight.
2. Next day drain the beans and rinse them, checking for any stray stones.
3. Boil in plenty of water with the bay, half onion, garlic and epazote until tender, which takes 1-2 hours-keep checking the level of the water and top up a little if the beans are drying out. When the beans are soft remove the onion and bay, drain and set aside.
4. In a large saucepan, fry the onion in the olive oil until soft.
5. Add the garlic and chilli to the onion and fry until fragrant. Then add the paprika, epazote, coriander & cumin and quickly stir-fry.

6. Add the cooked beans, orange & lime juice and cook gently until the beans begin to break down and the fruit juice has been absorbed. Add a little water if the mix gets too thick and then taste-add sugar, salt and pepper to your taste.

7. Spread the refried beans onto dehydrator trays lined with nonstick sheets or parchment paper. Dehydrate at 63C / 145F for 8-10 hours until totally dry. Vac pac or store in baggies until ready to use.

   See Also

   Quick Red Beans & Rice | Jaylynn LittleSkip the Can! Make Your Own Refried BeansCan You Eat Refried Beans Out of The Can? | Boyd Hampers{ Kitchen MacGyver } How to Rehydrate, Cook and Use Dried Beans

On the trail

1. Put your refried beans in a pot and add water to cover. Bring water to boil.

2. Turn off heat, cover the beans and wait for five minutes. (Use this time to warm some tortillas or prep your garnishes!)

3. Check the beans – add more water if necessary to achieve the desired consistency (I like mine reasonably thick so they stay in the taco, but you could add more water and eat this almost as a soup).

4. Serve with tortillas or on rice topped with your favourite garnishes.