Arizona Refried Beans

by Lindsey Scarber 

8 cups dry pinto beans

2 onions, diced

16 cloves garlic, smashed or minced

2 jalapenos, diced (or 4oz can diced green chiles)

1 cup hamburger grease, pork fat, or bacon fat

1 Tbsp salt, more to taste

Soak beans overnight or at least 7 hours. Drain in a colander in the morning. 

In a large heavy bottom pot, bring water to a boil. Add onion, garlic, jalepeno.  Add the beans. Do not add salt at this time. Let simmer on Low or Med Low for 2-4 hours, or until beans taste tender. 

In a second large heavy bottom pot, heat the hamburger grease.  The grease will melt then it will begin to smoke.  At this point, pour the pot of beans into the pot with the grease.  It will crackle.  Stir and let simmer.  Add salt to taste. 

Serve hot   

To make vegetarian, replace hamburger grease with olive oil

Use pressure cooker to speed cooking time