Customer Reviews

Santa Fe Bean Co., Instant Fat Free Vegetarian Refried Beans, 7.25-Ounce Pack (Pack of 8)

5 star:		(40)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I love these dehydrated refried beans. You simply add water and they are ready. SO much better than canned refried beans. No "canned" taste.

I highly recommend that you try this product.

Cheryl

Great flavor, fast easy to prepare...makes great chalupas, bean dip, and thickens the juice of friojoles for cornbread & beans.
Wish I had room to store a case.

I don't mind canned beans, but these are better, and I like the varieties. I got all three of the Santa Fe varieties available and my review is the same for each -- easy to prepare and yummy! Forget the cans and maintain these in your pantry. I use them for dips, for nachos, for a sidedish, instead of meat in lasagna, and whatever.

These are, without a doubt, the best refrieds I've ever prepared and/or eaten ... and I'm a long time lover of refried beans.

They are a snap to prepare. Although the directions say to cover and simmer for five minutes, I've found it best to turn the heat to low and stir uncovered for about three minutes or so, then remove the pan from the burner and let them sit covered for a couple more minutes.

A quick comparison to a can of top brand 'fat free' refried beans shows that the Santa Fe Fat Free Vegetarian beans have less than half the sodium! And, because of the handy packaging, you can reduce the salt further by shaking the pouch first. This knocks some of the salt to the bottom. Then scoop the contents of the bag into the boiling water, leaving the salty residue at the bottom of the pouch - don't need it.

Plus, there are so many additional things you can do with refried beans that are prepared this way. (e.g. add extra water for delicious bean soup or use as a great base for chili). The creative possibilities with this simple "comfort food" are endless.

Oh, and they are a great value, also!

Santa Fe Bean Company:

-- Mild cereal flavor, similar to corn flakes (which I prefer). Moderate sodium taste; in fact, this brand tastes as though it has more sodium, contrary to the nutrition labels.

-- Some clumping of dry bean flakes. Rehydrate slightly less rapidly, although no problem. Two halves of an unflaked bean found, after the contents of ~5 packages consumed; no damage to my teeth.

-- Lower price per ounce.

-- Convenient bag, durable and resealable. No individual box to discard.

Taste Adventure:

-- Mild bean flavor. No significant sodium taste, although the nutrition labels indicate this brand has more sodium.

-- No clumping of dry bean flakes. Rehydrate quite rapidly. No unflaked beans found, after the contents of >60 packages consumed.

-- Higher price per ounce.

-- Packaging less convenient. A little bit of bean powder sometimes found in individual cardboard box. Plastic bag not designed to be resealed.

I've used these for hiking and kayaking camp cooking. Lighter in weight than a can and easier to pack, the resealable foil pouch makes it easy to use a portion and save the rest for later, or a handy place to put leftovers. I've also snacked on the uncooked chips right out of the bag, although they are a bit salty. I've cooked a whole bag in a Jetboil PCS, but I recommend going with smaller portions, unless you're REALLY hungry, or have several people to feed. One bag makes a heap of refried beans.

I have to say that these beans are as good as my mom's home made. At first I wasn't sure how freeze dried beans would taste, no regrets. These are the best I've had and I've had them all! My recipe for them is: I heat up the water, add a tablespoon of olive oil or maybe bacon drippings, then add ground cumin to taste, garlic powder to taste, chili powder to taste, and onion powder to taste. Once it's all boiling I add the beans and mix until I get the consistency I like. Take it from someone who grew up on Mexican food... these suckers are good! Don't skip the oil part because the oil carries the flavors better. Also, no need for salt.
I don't get the southwestern because they have partially hydrogenated oil or something like that.

I love these dried refried beans. I just add whatever seasonings I want like ground cumin, ground coriander, garlic, onions, be inventive and use your imagination! Very easy and quick cooking. You could even make these in a hot pot.

My only problem is that I would like it if they would print directions for making smaller amounts of these than making the entire package at once. They have a convenient zipper closure on the bag so that means they know that people may not make up the entire package at once. I looked on their website and found that you just have to add equal parts water and bean mix.


I am going to get some dried pinto beans and cook them and add these to them to be more like what I had in Mexico years ago.

I wish Amazon had these for Subscribe & Save so I could get an even better price and have a regular supply.


Amazon, please start carrying Santa Fe Bean Co. whole dehydrated pinto beans too!

I tried the regular variety Santa Fe Bean Co., Instant Southwestern Style Refried Beans, 7.25-Ounce Pack (Pack of 8) first. Although I liked it, I was disappointed at how much salt had been added. Usually with fat-free varieties, there is more sodium than the regular equivalent, but in this case, the fat-free is lower in sodium. This turned out to be perfect for my tastes and nutrional needs. I use equal parts of this dried bean mix and water, then I add a little bit of Clint's Salsa (which is relatively low in sodium) and a little bit of shredded cheese. The result is both flavorful and still reasonably healthful.

Santa Fe Bean Co., Instant Fat Free Vegetarian Refried Beans, 7.25-Ounce Pack (Pack of 8)

I am so happy I found these beans on Amazon. I used to buy them at Raley's/Bel Air, but they discountinued them for some reason. They are so good, you can eat them out of the bag, like potato chips! Not only are they delicious, but they are Fat Free and Vegetarian! They are also very easy to make. They simmer in hot water for 5 minutes. I hope Santa Fe never stops making these and Amazon never stops selling them!