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Need ideas on how to use up leftover refried beans? Weโve got you covered. From tacos and tortas to crunchwrap supremes, Mexican pizza, enchiladas and more, save this post and you'll always have many ideas to choose from to use up refried beans.
One of my favorite ways to save money on food is to reduce food waste. Feeding America states, “In the United States, people waste 92 billion pounds of food annually, equal to 145 billion meals. [We] throw away over $473 billion worth of food annually. Shockingly, [we] waste 38% of all the food in America.”
That's a LOT of wasted food and money!
My favorite way to minimize food waste is to meal plan carefully (learn exactly How to Meal Plan to Save Money) and incorporate at least one leftovers night into my weekly meal plan.
Every Thursday, I clean out the fridge, gather up all the leftovers, and put together an easy meal using leftovers. Think of it like your own personal, fun episode of Food Network's Chopped ๐
This simple habit has prevented food from getting pushed to the back of the fridge and has saved my family tons of money!
How to Use Leftover Refried Beans
So if you've cleaned out the fridge and found a Tupperware of leftover refried beans or refried black beans, you're in luck! I've rounded up 25 budget-friendly ways to use up those beans so you won't waste any food or money.
Now as you may know, an overwhelming majority of the recipes I share here are vegetarian and/or plant-based. This is because eating a plant-based diet is proven to be significantly cheaper than eating meat.
Now without further ado, here are my favorite recipes to use up leftover refried beans!
1
Easy Vegan Tortas (Mexican Sandwich)
These Vegan Tortas are filled with juicyย Vegan Carne Asada,ย Refried Black Beans,ย Cilantro Lime Sauce, and tons of fresh veggies. It's the ultimate leftovers recipe and is one of my favorite recipes of all time.
Bean and cheese tamales made with red masa, filled with refried beans and cheese, then steamed to tender perfection and served drizzled with your favorite salsa. These tamales are made with humble ingredients but are bursting with royal flavors!
Switch things up on Taco Tuesday with these Crispy Refried Bean Tacos! Creamy refried beans and cheese folded in a buttery flour tortilla, then pan-fried until ultra crispy. It's the perfect weeknight meal when you're short on time and fresh ingredients.
Vegan huevos rancheros are bursting with flavor and make a fantastic vegan brunch. They're loaded with vegan cheese, tofu scramble, refried beans, and the best rancheros sauce you've ever had.
Wow the crowd (or your fam or yourself) with the best vegan nachos… ready in just 25 minutes! These awesome vegan nachos are loaded with refried beans, vegan queso, vegan taco meat, guacamole, and all your favorite toppings.
Lighter and loaded with healthy goodies, these crispy cauliflower rice tacos are a great choice for Taco Tuesday! These awesome vegan tacos are loaded with chipotle walnut taco meat, refried beans, crispy shells, and vegan ranch sauce.
You only need 5 ingredients to make these tasty potato and bean quesadillas. Picky eaters and those who cook for picky eaters will love this easy and delicious recipe.
This recipe is a homemade twist on the classic Taco Bell menu item. Swap the traditional pizza crust for tortillas and the pizza sauce for refried beans and enjoy the flavors of Mexican pizza!
Weeknight dinners have never been easier than with stovetop skillet fajitas! Saucy, tender fajita veggies paired with refried beans for a satisfying meatless meal!
This quick and easy Vegan Taco Casserole is packed with protein and delicious Tex-Mex flavors! Serve it as a fun party dip with tortilla chips or over fluffy rice for a hearty dinner.
7 Layer Dip has seven distinct layers, each offering a delicious blend of Mexican-inspired flavors and textures. No cooking requiredโjust layer and enjoy!
Carne Asada Fries are a San Diego staple and a fun way to serve grilled carne asada. Crispy fries loaded with meat, cheese, refried beans, and guac! I would make these with my cheaper, vegan carne asada!
Slow cooker vegan tamale pie is a comforting and flavorful dish that turns the traditional Mexican tamale into a convenient, delicious slow cooker meal It's packed with tender vegetables, vegan beef, and spices, and a soft and fluffy masa topping.
No time to cook one of these delicious recipes? No problem. Transfer the leftover refried beans to silicone Souper Cubes and freeze for up to 3 months.
I like to freeze my beans using their 2-Cup Souper Cubes. If you'd like to buy your own freezer cubes, use my code HOMECOOKEDROOTS10 for 10% off!
When ready to eat, reheat directly from frozen in the microwave for 7-8 minutes. Enjoy!
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Wendy’s is a popular fast-food restaurant known for fresh burgers and tasty breakfast options. Many customers search for the Wendy’s breakfast menu to explore delicious morning meals. From sandwiches to coffee, Wendy’s breakfast offers a satisfying start to the day for fans of Wendys food.
Very well researched. ้ฆๆชช This post exceeded my expectations.
Great ideas – even tho Iโm not vegetarian, these can be totally usable. thx for sharing.