Frijoles: Easy Traditional Mexican Recipe

Dip your favorite tortilla chips in this flavorful and creamy frijoles bean dip. This tasty, super affordable Mexican bean dip recipe comes together in no time, and it does not require a long cooking time, as we use canned beans. After considering how little spare time almost all my readers have, I decided to substitute the raw black beans from the traditional recipe with canned ones.

Therefore, you have no excuses to not try and prepare this great Mexican dish that can be used as a side, a delicious layer in a burrito, wrapped up in a warm soft tortilla with some shredded cheese, or as a dip with some crunchy tortilla chips. Pick almost any occasion and place a bowl of frijoles in the middle of the table.. you’ll be surprised how fast it’ll disappear!

Frijoles FAQs

Before preparing homemade frijoles, I find it essential to know a little more about this recipe and the dish. So, this is the section where you’ll find the most frequently asked questions about traditional frijoles. You are already used to my style of letting you know every essential detail about a new recipe, so this FAQ section is not a surprise for anyone.

• What are frijoles made of? Although this dish may differ, as every cook may adapt it to his own taste, the main ingredients are black beans, onion, garlic, and spices. These savory frijoles are usually topped with crispy pork, roasted tomatoes, and sour cream. Frijoles can also be made with pinto beans.

• Are refried beans the same as frijoles? – “Frijoles” is the Spanish word for beans. The term is often used to refer to frijoles refritos or refried beans, a traditional variety of cooked and smashed pinto beans. This dish is common to Mexican cuisine, especially Northern Mexican and American Tex-Mex (an American cuisine that derives from the culinary creations of the Tejano people of Texas).

• What’s “frijoles” in English? – fri·​jo·​le (frē-ˈhō-lē): any of the various beans used in Mexican style cooking; usually used in the plural form.

• What to eat with Frijoles? – The most usual way to serve frijoles is with tortilla chips or raw vegetable sticks. It also works great as an ingredient in layered dips, in burritos, with nachos or as a side with rice. However, if you want to go a little extra, try pairing this traditional bean dip with the next three Mexican recipes:

How to Make Frijoles at Home (Mexican Recipe)

This crowd-pleasing Mexican Frijoles is perfect for last-minute guests. We already know that almost everybody is in love with chips, dips, and nachos. They are the perfect appetizers, as they are easy to prepare and serve and are simply delicious. So, as long as you are equipped with dozens of paper towels, you can easily spare 20 minutes to prepare this finger-licking traditional dip.

This is an easy recipe that will impress any dip lover out there. With affordable ingredients, an easy step-by-step recipe, and also video instructions, you can’t find a reason not to try it out.

Traditional Frijoles Ingredient List

Now that you know a little more about this Mexican recipe we all love, it is time to gather all the necessary ingredients.

• 15 oz of canned black beans or pinto beans (drained and liquid reserved);
• 3 ounces of salt pork or bacon (finely chopped);
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil;
• 1 oz of butter;
• 1 medium yellow onion (finely chopped);
• 2 garlic cloves (roughly chopped);
• 1/2 teaspoon of hot chili pepper flakes;
• 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika;
• 1/2 teaspoon of brown sugar;
• sour cream (for serving);
• Fire-roasted tomatoes or diced roma tomatoes (for serving);
• 1 handful of cilantro (coriander) leaves (roughly chopped);
• kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste.
• salted tortilla chips or raw vegetable sticks (for dipping).

Easy Step-by-Step Recipe

Now that you have gathered all the ingredients you need, you should read this step-by-step recipe before actually preparing it. In my opinion, it is best to know a little about the steps you are going to follow before actually preparing a recipe. In this way, you would be prepared for everything.

1. First of all, heat the olive oil and butter in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 5 minutes, or until softened. Keep in mind that you’re not trying to brown it, just soften it.

2. Add hot chili pepper flakes, smoked paprika, and brown sugar, and cook for another few minutes (3 minutes max.).

3. Next, add the canned black beans or pinto beans with their liquid into the pan. Season well with salt and pepper, and simmer on low heat for 7-8 minutes.

4. Now, just add everything to a food processor and blend it until smooth. Empty into a bowl.

5. Then, fry the salt pork or bacon pieces in a hot frying pan until crispy. (You won’t need any oil for this as it’ll release plenty of its own fat). 

6. Finally, top the bean dip with sour cream, crispy pork pieces, fire-roasted tomatoes, and fresh cilantro leaves. Also, serve the traditional frijoles with salted tortilla chips or raw vegetable sticks. Enjoy dipping!

Frijoles Bean Dip Modifications and Substitutions

This frijoles recipe is great as it is. Very simple and easy. If you want to play around with the flavors and ingredients here are some recommendations.

• Beans: you can use any type of beans for this recipe. Althought black beans and pinto beans are the most common, you can make it with white beans or cannelini beans or a combination. Just remember that white beas and cannelini beans are milder in flavor than black and pinto beans.
• Seasonings: You can season this dip anyway you like. You can substitute the paprika and chili flakes with chili powder, cumin, or taco seasoning. They will all work really well. You can also add a little hot sauce, like Cholula or Tapatio, for more a little extra kick, a tablespoon should do the trick.
• Toppings: If you want to really take your frijoles dip to the next level I recommend some additional toppings. I like to add a squeeze of fresh lime juice, roasted and salted pepitas (pumpkin seeds) or sunflower seeds, and a scoop of fresh salsa like a pico de gallo. These toppings all add additional flavor and texture, taking your dip or side dish to the next level.

Easy Traditional Mexican FRIJOLES Recipe

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This crowd-pleasing Mexican Frijoles is perfect for last-minute guests. We already know that almost everybody is in love with dipping and nachos.

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Ingredients

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• 15 oz canned black beans drained and liquid reserved
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 oz butter
• 1 medium yellow onion finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic roughly chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon hot chili pepper flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar
• 3oz of bacon or salt pork, chopped
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• sour cream for serving
• fire roasted tomatoes for serving
• 1 handful coriander leaves roughly chopped
• salted tortilla chips or raw vegetable sticks for dipping

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Instructions

1. First of all, heat the olive oil and butter in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 5 minutes, or until softened. Keep in mind that you’re not trying to brown it, just soften it.
2. Add the garlic, hot chili pepper flakes, smoked paprika, and brown sugar, and cook for another few minutes (3 minutes max.).
3. Next, add the canned black beans with their liquid into the pan. Season well with salt and pepper, and simmer on low heat for 7-8 minutes.
4. Now, just add everything to a food processor and blend it until smooth. Empty into a bowl.
5. Then, fry the bacon or salt pork pieces in a hot frying pan until crispy. (You won’t need any oil for this as it’ll release plenty of its own fat). 
6. Finally, top the bean bowl with sour cream, crispy pork pieces, fire-roasted tomatoes, and fresh coriander leaves. Also, serve the traditional frijoles with salted tortilla chips or raw vegetable sticks. Enjoy dipping!

• Author: Rosie
• Prep Time: 5
• Cook Time: 15
• Category: Appetizers and Snacks
• Cuisine: American

Video Instructions for Frijoles Recipe

Last but not least, I prepared a little video tutorial of this Frijoles Recipe in order to make the preparation even easier. Now you just can’t find a reason you won’t try to make it yourself at home. So, give it a try and tell me how that went in the comment section below. I’ll wait for the photos, too!

Enjoy Your Traditional Mexican Dinner!

Finally, loves, it’s your time to give me a little insight from your kitchen. I’m a bit curious how you serve frijoles in your family, as my kids always desire something new to pair it with. So, help me a little and tell me in the comment section below how to serve this Mexican dip to the little monsters in order to impress them. In addition, as you can already notice, it is one of the most versatile recipes I know. You can add all sorts of extra seasonings and flavors and adapt the traditional recipe to your own taste.

Furthermore, I really wanted to let you know that I’m here for all your further questions about the frijoles recipe, the kitchen in general, and everything else I can help with. Just let me know what are your curiosities and dilemmas in the comment section below. I always make time to take a look at that section and answer all my loves’ questions.

Last but not least, if you are interested in more Mexican recipes to serve at a traditional dinner, here are some of my favorites: