Vegan Refried Beans

Slow cooker refried beans are an easy and budget-friendly way to make a flavorful homemade staple with very little hands-on work. Dried beans, simple seasonings, and a slow cooker do most of the work while you go about your day. Once the beans are tender, they can be mashed to your preferred texture and used in tacos, breakfast burritos, tamales, tostadas, and more.

This vegan recipe makes a generous batch, making it a great option for meal prep and easy weeknight meals. Especially for Meatless Mondays!

Bean-lovers will also love this tri-color bean salad recipe. It’s the perfect complement to warm, refried beans when added to a dairy-free taco, vegan burrito, or alongside seasoned Mexican-inspired rice!

Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Recipe

These vegetarian crockpot refried beans are packed with flavor, easy to customize, and much tastier than many canned versions.

• Creamy or Chunky—Your Choice – Mash them until smooth and creamy or leave a few beans intact for a heartier bite.
• No Constant Stirring Required – It’s a great recipe for busy days when you want something homemade without the extra effort.
• Perfect for Feeding a Crowd – Whether you’re hosting taco night, a family gathering, or a casual party, a big batch of refried beans goes a long way.
• Easy to Customize – Add a little garlic, make them extra spicy, or keep them mild and simple—it’s totally up to you!
• Better Than Canned Beans – Homemade refried beans have a fresh flavor and texture that can be hard to find in canned versions.

Key Ingredients and Substitutions

2 simple pantry ingredients and spices…easy, peasy!

• Dry Pinto Beans – Pinto beans are the traditional choice for refried beans. If preferred, you can substitute with other beans like black beans or kidney beans for variation.
• Chipotle Powder – Adds a smoky and slightly spicy flavor to the refried beans. Smoked paprika or chili powder would also work.
• Cumin – Enhances the savory flavor of the beans. Swap for ground coriander or chili powder.
• Cayenne Pepper – For those who enjoy a bit of heat. This is optional but highly recommended. Substitute with your favorite hot sauce if you’re out of cayenne pepper.
• Vegetable Broth – Provides the liquid base for cooking the beans, infusing them with flavor. You can use homemade vegetable broth or store-bought vegetable broth. Or use water and vegan bouillon if preferred.

How To Make Vegan Refried Beans

Advanced Prep – The evening before preparing the recipe, place the dry beans in a large bowl and cover them with cool water, ensuring the water level is about 2 inches above the beans. Allow them to soak for at least 8 hours or overnight. After soaking, drain and rinse the beans thoroughly.

By Slow Cooker:

Step 1: Add Ingredients to Slow Cooker – Plug in your slow cooker and transfer the rinsed beans to the pot. Add 4 cups of vegetable broth and the spices to the pot, mixing well.

Step 2: Cook – For a shorter cooking time, set the temperature to HIGH and cook the beans covered for 3-4 hours. Alternatively, for a longer cooking time, set the temperature to LOW and cook the beans for 6-8 hours or overnight.

Step 3: Drain and/or Blend – Once cooked, you can choose to retain or drain any excess liquid before mashing the beans, depending on your desired texture. To achieve a smoother consistency, I recommend keeping about ½ cup of liquid with the beans before blending or mashing.

By Stovetop:

Step 1: Add Ingredients to Pot – Return the rinsed beans to the pot and add the vegetable broth and the spices. Mix well.

Step 2: Cook Beans – Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer, covered, for about 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the beans are tender. Stir occasionally and add more broth if needed to keep the beans submerged.

Step 3: Mash or Blend Cooked Beans – Once the beans are cooked and tender, use a potato masher or immersion blender to mash them to your desired consistency. For a smoother texture, you can also blend the beans in a food processor or blender. If the beans are too thick, you can add more vegetable broth to reach your preferred consistency.

Expert Tips

• Don’t skip soaking the beans. Soaking not only speeds up the cooking process and makes the beans more tender, but it can also help remove some of the oligosaccharides, which makes digestion easier.
• To make these refried beans faster, you can do it in a small fraction of the time using a pressure cooker (like an Instant Pot) instead of a slow cooker! Here’s our Instant Pot vegan refried beans recipe.  

How to Serve Up Your Vegetarian Refried Beans

Here are a few of our favorite crockpot refried beans meal ideas:

• Tuck Into a Tortilla – Spread a tortilla with a layer of beans, add some vegan Mexican rice, and top with romaine hearts, a few sweet potato fries, and a spoonful of tomatillo salsa.
• Make the Most Out of Toast – Start with a pair of crusty sourdough toasts, a few slices of avocado, and add a scoop of refried beans. Add a little vegan mollete with a shake of crushed red pepper.
• Creamy Crudité Concoction – A delicious dip for your carrots, cucumber, and chunks of bell pepper. Add a side of crispy corn tortilla chips and some guac for a protein packed, fiber-filled snack.
• Perfect Mexican-Inspired Pizza – Cover your pizza dough with a thin layer of refried beans and then build it up with toppings. Sliced cherry tomatoes, diced red onion, plant-based meat crumbles, baby spinach, and lots of vegan shredded cheese. Garnish with a sprinkle of hot sauce or fiery salsa.

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