frijoles refritos
everyday
Refried beans are frijoles refritos in Mexican Spanish. Mexicans often just say frijoles for the dish, and the word refritos tells you they were mashed and fried.
Meaning: cooked beans mashed and fried (noun)
Ways to say it
| Mexican | Note |
|---|---|
| frijoles refritos | everyday |
| frijoles | short |
They are served with eggs at breakfast, on tortas and next to many main dishes. Whole cooked beans in their broth are frijoles de la olla and are not the same thing.
What does it mean word for word?
The prefix re- in refritos adds intensity, so it can mean well fried, not just fried twice.
Did you know?
- In Mexico frijoles de la olla are the beans before they are mashed, and many families keep a pot of them to fry later.
Examples in context
- Quiero huevos con frijoles refritos.I want eggs with refried beans.
- Los frijoles de la olla están listos.The pot beans are ready.
Example conversation
Doña Carmen serves breakfast to her grandson Beto in Oaxaca.
- Doña CarmenBeto, ¿quieres frijoles refritos?Beto, do you want refried beans?
- BetoSí, abuela, con queso.Yes, grandma, with cheese.
- Doña CarmenAquí tienes, con tortillas calientes.Here you go, with hot tortillas.
