Low Fat Vegetarian Refried Beans

Transform your meals with these flavorful Low Fat Vegetarian Refried Beans! Perfectly spiced with cumin, chili powder, and smoked paprika, these healthy refried beans are made without added oil, relying on low-sodium vegetable broth for depth and creaminess. Mashed to your desired consistency—whether smooth and velvety or delightfully chunky—this recipe balances hearty pinto beans with the tangy brightness of freshly squeezed lime juice. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a quick and nutritious option for tacos, burritos, quesadillas, or as a flavorful side dish. Garnish with fresh cilantro for a vibrant finish, and savor the rich taste of this low-fat, plant-based classic!

Nutriscore Rating: 87/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked pinto beans
• 0.5 cups vegetable broth (low sodium)
• 0.5 cups yellow onion, finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoons chili powder
• 0.5 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 0.5 teaspoons salt
• 0.25 teaspoons black pepper
• 1 tablespoons lime juice (freshly squeezed)
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro (optional garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent. If the onion begins to stick, add 1-2 tablespoons of vegetable broth to deglaze the pan.

Step 2

Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for an additional 1 minute, stirring frequently to prevent burning.

Step 3

Stir in the ground cumin, chili powder, and smoked paprika, allowing the spices to toast for about 30 seconds to release their flavors.

Step 4

Lower the heat to medium-low and add the cooked pinto beans to the skillet. Pour in the vegetable broth and stir to combine.

Step 5

Using the back of a wooden spoon, potato masher, or an immersion blender, mash the beans to your desired consistency. For smoother beans, continue mashing; for chunkier beans, leave some beans intact.

Step 6

Let the mixture simmer gently for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent sticking. Add more vegetable broth if the beans become too thick.

Step 7

Season the beans with salt, black pepper, and lime juice. Stir well to combine, then taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.

Step 8

Remove the skillet from heat. Optionally, garnish the refried beans with freshly chopped cilantro before serving.

Step 9

Serve hot as a side dish or use as a filling for tacos, burritos, or quesadillas.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(570.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	558.1

Total Fat 3.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 0.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2113.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 104.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 33.9g	0%
Total Sugars 5.4g
Protein 32.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 239.7mg	0%
Iron 9.9mg	0%
Potassium 1739.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 4.7%

Protein: 22.7%

Carbs: 72.6%