# Slow Cooker Refried Beans

## Ingredients:

- 1 lb pinto beans, rinsed and soaked overnight
- 1 white onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons lard, bacon fat, vegetable oil, or unsalted butter
- Salt to taste
- 4 cups of vegetable broth (or enough to cover the beans)
- Optional ingredients as per variations (bacon, chorizo, cheese, jalapeños, cream)

## Instructions:

1. **Bean Prep**: Drain and rinse the soaked beans.
2. **Slow Cooker Combine**: Place the beans, onion, garlic, and vegetable broth in the slow cooker. Ensure beans are covered by the broth.
3. **Cooking**: Set the slow cooker on HIGH for 4-5 hours or LOW for 6-8 hours, or until the beans are very tender.
4. **Refrying in Skillet**: Once the beans are cooked, heat the lard (or other fat) in a large skillet over medium heat. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the beans to the skillet, saving the cooking liquid. Fry the beans, mashing them with a potato masher or back of a spoon. Add reserved cooking liquid as needed to reach your desired consistency.
5. **Seasoning**: Season with salt and serve warm.

## Variations:

1. **Bacon Refried Beans**: Start by frying 2-3 strips of chopped bacon in the skillet. Use the rendered fat to fry the beans.
2. **Chorizo Refried Beans**: Sauté 1/2 lb of chorizo before adding the beans. Break it up well and combine.
3. **Cheesy Refried Beans**: Stir in 1 cup of grated cheese (like cheddar or Monterey Jack) at the end until melted.
4. **Spicy Refried Beans**: Add 1-2 chopped jalapeños or serrano chilies with the beans in the slow cooker.
5. **Creamier Beans**: Add a splash of cream or a dollop of sour cream after mashing, stir until combined.

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# Refried Cowboy Beans

## Ingredients:

- Beans from the Slow Cooker Cowboy Beans recipe (strained, liquid reserved)
- 3 tablespoons lard, bacon fat, or vegetable oil
- Additional salt and pepper, to taste (if needed)

## Instructions:

1. **Refrying Beans**: Heat the chosen fat (lard, bacon fat, or vegetable oil) in a skillet over medium heat.
2. Transfer the strained Cowboy Beans to the skillet. Use a potato masher or the back of a spoon to mash the beans, adding reserved cooking liquid as needed to reach your desired consistency.
3. **Taste and Adjust**: Since the Cowboy Beans already have a good deal of seasoning, taste them and adjust with more salt or pepper if needed.
4. **Serving**: Serve warm with toppings of your choice, such as cheese, sour cream, or chopped cilantro.

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