My Girlfriend’s Mashed Beans… Life-Changing?

I’ve only ever had canned beans until I met my girlfriend, and wow… she showed me how much better fresh ones can be.

She uses dried beans and the process is simple but makes a huge difference.

Here’s what she does:

  1. Wash the beans.
  2. Boil them for about an hour.
  3. Mash them right in the pot (make sure they’re soft enough).
  4. Drain the water, fry them with some oil, and add salt to taste.

Bonus tips: She adds onion when cooking black beans but skips it for pinto beans. That’s just her way—do what you like!

Your ‘short version’ is somehow longer than your explanation above it. How does that happen?

Darin said:
Your ‘short version’ is somehow longer than your explanation above it. How does that happen?

The ‘TL;DR’ part is really the quick summary: wash, boil, mash, fry. Still shorter than the details!

I eat pinto beans all the time! They’re so versatile. You can make soup with the broth, mash them into refried beans, put them on tostadas, or use them in tacos and chili. Honestly, beans are good for everything.

My favorite recipe includes garlic, bay leaf, allspice, clove, black pepper, chili powder, MSG, and a little cinnamon. It’s spicy and flavorful, but I also enjoy simple beans with just onion and salt. Sometimes simple really is the best.

@Blaire
That sounds amazing! Sometimes I add tofu to the beans when mashing them. It thickens them up and adds some extra protein. The flavor stays mild too.

Wait, isn’t this just refried beans?

Reese said:
Wait, isn’t this just refried beans?

Yeah, it’s basically refried beans. But as someone who grew up on store-bought stuff, this feels revolutionary!

Tell her to try using Mayocoba beans next time. They’re so creamy and delicious!