Refried beans are absolutely delicious, but when you hit your limit and you can no longer eat more, you can just store them for later. But, can you freeze refried beans? Show A stable for Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine, refried beans doesn’t mean the dish is fried again, but rather well fried, as the name comes from the Spanish ‘frijoles refritos.’ One of our readers sent us a message about having too much refried beans. Here’s their question:
Yes, you can freeze refried beans. Beans of all types tend to freeze well, whether they’ve been baked, boiled, or fried. Refried beans are susceptible to drying out and freezer burn though, so they must be wrapped really, really well to protect them from freezer burn. Simply following a few tips will help keep your refried beans as tasty after being frozen as they are freshly cooked. How to Freeze Refried Beans?Refried beans will thicken up during the freezing process, so adding an extra little bit of oil or water to the mix and stirring to combine can be a good idea before freezing. Allow the beans to cool completely before freezing, and freeze them as quickly as possible for best results. Unless you are going to eat the whole batch you’re freezing in one sitting, it’s a good idea to separate it into serving sizes, since thawed beans cannot be refrozen.
Refried beans can also be frozen in freezer-safe hard containers:
How to Keep Refried Beans for Longer?If you want to make sure that your refried beans will have a longer life in the freezer, you can use a vacuum sealer. These appliances can take out all the air in the bags or containers, which slows down the deterioration of the dish. We have a list of great vacuum sealers you can try out, but our favorite is the FoodSaver V4840 2-in-1 Vacuum Sealer Machine. The FoodSaver works with both freezer bags and containers, so you can use it regardless of how you choose to store your refried beans. How to Thaw Refried Beans?
To thaw refried beans, there are a few steps to follow.
How do you freeze cooked refried beans?Yes, refried beans from a can are freezable, but you need to remove them from the can beforehand. Spoon the refried beans into freezer-safe containers, seal and then freeze.
How do you freeze rice and beans?Make sure the rice and beans are tightly sealed and wrapped. To do this, you can use double wrap the rice and beans in sealable plastic bags (i.e Ziploc bags) or vacuum sealer bags, making sure the bag is pressed as tightly against the food as possible.
How do you defrost frozen refried beans?To thaw the frozen refried beans, just leave the dish to thaw in the fridge for several hours to overnight. Once thawed completely, the consistency might be on the watery side, that's normal. Just stir in a little oil or water to restore the dish's original consistency.
Can refried bean dip be frozen?This dip can definitely be frozen for up to 2-3 months. You MUST make sure the container is completely sealed to ensure quality. You can defrost in the refrigerator for a few hours before you're ready to serve, or heat it up on the stove or in the microwave and stir before serving. Easy!
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