Hondurans eat beans at just about every meal. The Honduran Refried Beans (Frijoles Refritos) variation is the way they’re served in the typical Honduran breakfast, known as the “Desayuno Tipico.” As an appetizer, hot refried beans, melted cheese, and homemade corn chips are served in an “Anafre”, which is a small clay dish with hot coals underneath. And refried beans are the main attraction smeared inside a homemade flour tortilla for the “Baleada”— the crown jewel of Honduran cuisine!
Many recipes for refried beans call for adding ground cumin and other spices. However, I don’t add anything other than chopped onion to my refried beans. I’ve learned that by starting with properly seasoned red beans, you won’t need much to get good refried beans.
Sometimes, less is more, and that’s what I’ll share with you here.
Steps in Making Refried Beans
In a food processor, start by chopping one small onion or half of a large onion and set aside.
Then, blend approximately four cups of cooked red beans and a bit of the liquid. Pulse until they are mostly a smooth paste, but also leaving a few whole bits. If you haven’t made red beans, try this recipe.
Then, heat two tablespoons of coconut oil in a large skillet, add the onions and cook until they are translucent.
Add the beans and cook over medium to medium-high heat.
When the beans are done, they’ll stick together and release from the sides of the pan.
Tips for Honduran Refried Beans (Frijoles Refritos):
- If there is a lot of liquid in the beans, place a screen over the skillet to keep them from splattering everywhere.
- Stir often to keep them from burning a the bottom of the pan.
- Reduce the heat if you need to step away at any point during cooking, because there is nothing worse than burnt beans!
- For those of you who don’t plan on attempting this recipe, I have good news! Check out these authentic Honduran Frijoles Refritos on Amazon.com!
And there you have it. Honduran Refried Beans or “Frijoles Refritos” — Island Style!

Honduran Refried Beans (Frijoles Refritos)
Refried Beans, a staple in Honduran cuisine!
Ingredients
- 4 Cups Red Beans Cooked
- 1/2 Onion
- 2 Tbs. Coconut Oil
Instructions
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Chop onion in a food processor.
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Blend beans in food processor until it becomes a paste, leaving a few whole pieces.
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Sautee the onion in coconut oil until translucent.
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Add the beans and mix with the onion and oil.
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Cook until beans stick to themselves more than the pan.