New Mexico has some of the most delicious Southwestern cuisine. They are known for their enchiladas, tamales, and huevos rancheros, just to name a few. But, we also have to thank them for Hatch green chiles, which are grown in the Hatch Valley.
What are hatch chiles?
If you’ve wondered what those long, pale green peppers are that show up in grocery stores every August to September, these are them! Hatch green chiles range from mild to medium, and the heat lives in the white vein inside, not the seeds. You must check out my very popular Hatch Green Chile Sauce (using roasted Hatch chiles) that is perfect for topping tacos or simply snacking on with tortilla chips. Mexican refried beans are one of the most notable and popular Mexican side dishes that are gluten-free and vegan. They are simple to make and taste best when made with dried pinto beans. This easy refried bean recipe is a little healthier than a traditional recipe, as they are typically made with lard, and most canned varieties contain lard as well. As a healthier alternative, of course, mine are made with light cooking oil instead. Topping them with crumbled queso fresco cheese is the traditional way to serve them, but you can omit it if you want to keep them vegan.
Cooking dried Beans
When it comes to cooking beans, they do have to boil at a low heat for 1-2 hours over medium heat. The time depends on the beans, as sometimes they have cooked as fast as 1 hour for me. It is best to soak them in water for 6-8 hours before cooking; this helps to soften them. If you don’t have time to soak, just cook them longer until they are tender. There’s no tried and true time as all beans are different. You’ll know when they’re done as you should be able to mash them easily; that is when you know they are ready.
Cooking dried beans in the slow cooker
You can also cook the beans in a slow cooker. Simply cover them with water (by about 2-inches), cover, and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.
Serving hatch chile refried beans
Enjoy them as a side dish to tacos, tamales, or even with my Mexican Style Hot Dog or Sonoran Hot Dog. Pair them with another classic side dish of Mexican Rice.
Hatch Chile Refried Beans shortcut
If you don’t have time to prep and cook dried beans, you can skip to step 3 and add a can of refried beans. However, they won’t taste as good as homemade refried beans. This is a perfect dish to serve as a green chile bean dip! Add some delicious toppings like chopped tomatoes, green onions, olives, and hot sauce. Then grab some tortilla chips and dig in! Lard is traditional, but you can use any oil you like.
