View Full Version : Dehydrated Refried Beans
The walmart here sells dehydrated refried beans (think mashed potatoe flakes) in pouches. They are the best refritos not made fresh. They also seem like the ultimate backpacking food. So I ask, has anyone seen these in walmarts on the east coast, or will I have to maildrop them in?
minnesotasmith
03-30-2008, 06:52
The walmart here sells dehydrated refried beans (think mashed potatoe flakes) in pouches. They are the best refritos not made fresh. They also seem like the ultimate backpacking food. So I ask, has anyone seen these in walmarts on the east coast, or will I have to maildrop them in?
But, I saw them in the Rimrock Wal-Mart in Grand Junction about 9 days ago. Those are at least available regionally now, I'd say.
i haven't looked for them at walmart so i can't say if they have them or not. i do know that the large grocery store chains like farm fresh and kroger do have them out this way.
yer' right though, they are a great backpacking food. i like to throw some corn chips or crackers on top of them for a quick simple meal.
good luck!
Creek Dancer
03-30-2008, 10:18
The walmart here sells dehydrated refried beans (think mashed potatoe flakes) in pouches. They are the best refritos not made fresh. They also seem like the ultimate backpacking food. So I ask, has anyone seen these in walmarts on the east coast, or will I have to maildrop them in?
I haven't seen them in any stores in central Virginia, but I wasn't really looking either. What section of the store did you find them?
I like to make bean burritos on the trail with some added cheese and onions!
NICKTHEGREEK
03-30-2008, 10:38
The walmart here sells dehydrated refried beans (think mashed potatoe flakes) in pouches. They are the best refritos not made fresh. They also seem like the ultimate backpacking food. So I ask, has anyone seen these in walmarts on the east coast, or will I have to maildrop them in?
On the shelf right next to the dry gas:D
The walmart here sells dehydrated refried beans (think mashed potatoe flakes) in pouches. They are the best refritos not made fresh. They also seem like the ultimate backpacking food. So I ask, has anyone seen these in walmarts on the east coast, or will I have to maildrop them in?
I just checked the Walmart in Gorham. They don't have 'em.
The brand I find in our area is "Fantastic Foods" Refried Beans, Hummus(lemon), Filaphal, and Couscous all side by side in a boxes the size of Mac and cheese.
I hope that helps with locating them. They work great because they are actually Frieze Dried. With warm water plus 5 minutes-- done.
For bulk maidrop quantities check out this link for "Provident Pantry" brand.
https://beprepared.com/search.asp?t=ss&ss=refried+beans&image1.x=16&image1.y=7
Two Speed
03-30-2008, 14:36
Actually dried refried beans are pretty good on tortillas. All ya gotta do is "liberate" some hot sauce from Taco Bell and bring along some cheese and dinner is all taken care of.
The walmart here sells dehydrated refried beans (think mashed potatoe flakes) in pouches. They are the best refritos not made fresh. They also seem like the ultimate backpacking food. So I ask, has anyone seen these in walmarts on the east coast, or will I have to maildrop them in?
There's no "e" in potato. Ask former vice president Dan Quayle (Google for the incident).
I'd love to be of more help, but I don't shop for food much at Wal-Mart. Good luck, and prepare to hike solo. :p
On the shelf right next to the dry gas:D
ROFLOL :D:D
I just checked the Walmart in Gorham. They don't have 'em.
Post up if you find them. I will look here, the next time I get to the big city.
Hannaford has discontinued Fantastic Foods refries, so I have been looking.
Dehydrated Refried Beans are great! They are good to use as a filler and good for you as well...........
minnesotasmith
03-30-2008, 19:37
Can help you get extra room in crowded shelters as well, I expect. :D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJdHzRag8q0
I bought a bunch of chili mixes on sale and stuck a couple of them in about 8 of my mail drops. Tasted okay, but I was lethal to walk near most of the next day... :eek::D
dixicritter
03-30-2008, 22:47
On the shelf right next to the dry gas:D
LMAO... good one!
minnesotasmith
03-31-2008, 07:12
LMAO... good one!
Say Sgt. Rock had been hitting those dehydrated (read: concentrated) beans prettily heavily during his hike, and then the first night home did this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzjoo1Dir74&feature=related
Would you laugh, or kill him?
dixicritter
03-31-2008, 09:47
I wouldn't put that past him... And I'd kill him WHILE laughing.:sun
Rocketman
04-05-2008, 23:22
I haven't seen them in any stores in central Virginia, but I wasn't really looking either. What section of the store did you find them?
I like to make bean burritos on the trail with some added cheese and onions!
IF they are in your WalMart, they are most likely to be in the Hispanic foods section.
There are several Wally stores in my area, and only one of them has had the refried beans (in the Hispanic foods section).
None of the grocery stores here has them, but also the local stores don't have much in the way of a large selection of Hispanic foods.
I have searched walmart and publix super markets here in central florida and can't find them, The fantastic foods site says Publix carries their products, I did find the couscous, etc, but no beans.
I just hate to make UPS richer and end up paying double for the stuff (freight included)
If I get Mary Jane stuff in the bulk size, I'll have about $35 invested. And, once opened, how long would the powder keep?
I think I'll just dehydrate a can or two of beans and then food process them. That worked last year.
Miles of Smiles
Tom
i used to be able to find 'em at the local grocery in the natural foods section under the "fantastic foods" label. as someone said, these were discontinued.....................i looked yesterday and none were to be found. bummer! i also looked in the hispanic foods, none there either. darn!
A brand name of the kind found at Wmart would help!
Farr Away
04-08-2008, 12:37
I don't remember the brand and I'm not home right now, but I got some near the salsa that were called bean dip. They were just dehydrated beans though. There were two kinds, one was black beans, the other refried.
Okay, I was mistaken; they do have some seasonings too. The brand was Dwight Yoakam's Border Dips. (Really, you just can't make something like that up.) :)
SGT Rock
04-08-2008, 12:54
Not all Wal-Marts carry them in my experience. I initially found them in the Wal-Mart in Leesville, LA. The brand name was Mexicali Rose: http://www.energyinc.info/
4eyedbuzzard
04-08-2008, 14:02
... The brand name was Mexicali Rose: http://www.energyinc.info/
"'Tis but thy name that is my enemy;
...O, be some other name!
What's in a name? that which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet;..."
[sigh] and [sniff]
and [sniff] ag'in :D
Thanks for that.
I have seen Wmart introduce new products at low prices, get you used to it, and then doing the price creep.
Hope I can find some to try them. Have to go to the world sometime this week.
Fiddleback
04-15-2008, 11:20
The Missoula WM still doesn't have the dehydrated refried beans. No matter unless that five-eight minute simmer can be avoided...
WM remains the lowest-price store in my area however; I noticed a year or two ago a peculiar pricing strategy. At least some products in the larger-sized packages, which we consumers use to call 'economy size' because they were cheaper, are actually higher priced, ounce for ounce. I noticed it again on last week's shopping trip...the large, refill container of Shout was more costly per ounce than the regular sized spray bottle...
FB
Peanut butter is a fine example of that pricing. Some cereal, too. Buyer beware.
huzzaah!!
At a health food store in Traverse City, MI, I finally found Favorite brand instant black beans and pinto beans and some vegggie chili mix. I bought 7 or 8 packages at $2.00 each.
Now all I have to do is find room on my motorcycle to carry them back to Florida.
Miles of Smiles
Tom
fiddlehead
04-15-2008, 23:32
Be careful about thinking they are the best thing that ever happened to hiking food and then send yourself 10 lbs of the stuff, only to find out that you don't like them anymore.
I used to buy and eat the Fantastic Food dried refried beans that you are talking about but can't stand them anymore.
I much prefer my own black beans that i add some good spice to, cook them and dry them myself.
wystiria
04-16-2008, 12:25
Hi there, Stop and Shop has them in the "organic/healthfood" section. in fact I just sent some to Jzakhar in TN.
FYI I am in CT
IdahoDavid
04-16-2008, 15:21
This company in Utah handles a lot of bulk items, including dehydrated refried beans:
http://beprepared.com/product.asp?pn=FS%20G102&bhcd2=1208369920
if you have a Whole Foods store or a Trader Joes you might find them there in bulk
wpbucher
04-17-2008, 09:02
Go to amazon.com and type "refried beans". They even qualify toward free shipping.
http://www.amazon.com/Santa-Fe-Bean-Southwestern-7-25-Ounce/dp/B000FI701Y/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=grocery&qid=1208433302&sr=8-1
Nearly Normal
04-18-2008, 07:12
http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/
RollingStone
04-18-2008, 08:32
Fiddleback - Can't remember the name brand, but Albertsons carries dehydrated refrieds for 2 bucks a package. Can't remember if you have a Roseauers in Missoula but if you do they also have them in the bulk foods section where the organic and natural stuff is.
The Missoula WM still doesn't have the dehydrated refried beans. No matter unless that five-eight minute simmer can be avoided...
WM remains the lowest-price store in my area however; I noticed a year or two ago a peculiar pricing strategy. At least some products in the larger-sized packages, which we consumers use to call 'economy size' because they were cheaper, are actually higher priced, ounce for ounce. I noticed it again on last week's shopping trip...the large, refill container of Shout was more costly per ounce than the regular sized spray bottle...
FB
Happy Feet
09-07-2008, 14:26
I fully cook up a bunch of black beans, put them in the food processor, add a jar of spicy salsa and dehydrate. Great as soup, or rehydrate with less water to make the consistance of refried beans and eat with flour tortillas or tortilla chips. Yum!
I fully cook up a bunch of black beans, put them in the food processor, add a jar of spicy salsa and dehydrate. Great as soup, or rehydrate with less water to make the consistance of refried beans and eat with flour tortillas or tortilla chips. Yum!
mmmm....I also precook ground beef (1 lb at a time), adding burritto sauce. Dehydrate, and break down into 4 packets. Double bag in sandwich bags. When on the trail, a couple of hours before you plan to eat, add water to the beans and beef packets. In camp, boil water, add some more hot water (after a couple of times, you get a feel for how much water you need to add). Pull out the flour tortillas and start making burritos!
Dicentra
09-07-2008, 20:58
Another thumbs up for the Fantastic Foods refried beans (and the black beans too!) I use them for lots of stuff... wraps, black bean hummus...
gonewalkabout
09-13-2008, 23:58
Larger suppermarkets as oposed to small markets often carry them if you look.
Ok...so once we find them......
What about recipe's?
TheBlindGuy
09-16-2008, 20:00
How does one "dehydrate" ground beef, etc., for hiking?
search is your friend, but I'll save you the trouble.
Also, it's called "gravel" on the trail, because it looks like it.
Here's SARBAR's chapter on dehydrating in her on line, (Or buy it for the library) book
http://www.freezerbagcooking.com/dehydrating.htm
HTH
Grinder
I had a terrible time finding fantastic foods dehydrated beans. I live in florida and finally found some in Michigan.
Next time, I will buy pinto beans in a can, dehydrate them and run them through a food processor. I'm pretty sure they will be indistinguishable from the real thing (maybe add some olive oil when rehydrating??) It worked for spaghetti sauce.
What do you think, SARBAR?
Tom/
grinder
Next time, I will buy pinto beans in a can, dehydrate them and run them through a food processor. I'm pretty sure they will be indistinguishable from the real thing (maybe add some olive oil when rehydrating??) It worked for spaghetti sauce.
Tom, I wasn't sure if you are referring to canned pintos that you would mix in a food processor, or using canned refried beans. In case it is the latter, here is something to consider.
I've dehydrated canned refried beans, which "came back" well after adding water. They tasted great! A friend, however, pointed put that canned refried beans have a lot of lard in them. It is the lard that could go rancid on the trail, so I've looked for other solutions.
Mary Jane Foods (http://shopping.maryjanesfarm.org/s.nl/sc.2/category.13/.f#Beans) dehydrated beans products are wonderful. The Pinto Bean flakes are excellent. If you like a little more "kick" try the Black Beans Hot and Spicy. You can purchase these products in various serving sizes, including do-it-yourself bulk for around $30.00.
We've been trying a number of Mary Jane Farm products in preparation for our 2009 thru hike and find that all are very good. The amount of salt used in her products is low as compared to some other commercial dehydrated trail meals. When purchased in bulk , the cost of MJ products is very reasonable.
Farr Away
10-06-2008, 00:56
...
I've dehydrated canned refried beans, which "came back" well after adding water. They tasted great! A friend, however, pointed put that canned refried beans have a lot of lard in them. It is the lard that could go rancid on the trail, so I've looked for other solutions.
...
Another possibility would be to look for fat-free refried beans. They're pretty common.
Campsalot
10-06-2008, 09:56
I just noticed that Packit Gourmet has black beans flakes (http://www.packitgourmet.com/Black-Bean-Flakes-Organic-p319.html) and pinto bean flakes (http://www.packitgourmet.com/Pinto-Bean-Flakes-Organic-p320.html). These look really good to me because they don’t have anything added to them other than a bit of salt so that I can add the spices that I like. I don’t like a ton of spice so I’m looking forward to trying these out. Plus they’re organic, always nice.
Tagless,
Actually, I was thinking of Chili Hot Beans. (I like it hot!!)
I am aware that fat is a no no for storage. And wasn't thinking of refried beans per se.
Thanks for the heads up though.
One of my favorite meals is 1/2 cup of deh. Brown Rice; 1/2 cup of deh. beans 1/4 cup of gravel (deh. ground beef) and taco seasoning.
With the chili hot beans, I won't need to add the taco seasoning.
Campsalot,
I have been reluctant to buy the bulk size containers. I only hike a week or two a year. It would take me years to use up the big can of beans. My luck and they would go bad.
Grinder
Campsalot
10-06-2008, 18:20
Campsalot,
I have been reluctant to buy the bulk size containers. I only hike a week or two a year. It would take me years to use up the big can of beans. My luck and they would go bad.
I don’t think these are really ‘bulk’. The site says 3oz which would probably be about 2 cups of bean flakes. I could probably eat all of that in one sitting if I wasn’t eating anything else.:)
I could probably eat all of that in one sitting if I wasn’t eating anything else.:)
Scary thought.
Yet another reason not to use shelters. Unless you know Campsalot is not in the one you're considering.
I don’t think these are really ‘bulk’. The site says 3oz which would probably be about 2 cups of bean flakes. I could probably eat all of that in one sitting if I wasn’t eating anything else.
There is a bulk version on the MJ website - 3 pounds of food per. Look on the size "select" bar to access that and other options.
These bulk versions come in a large plastic zip bag. It isn't unreasonable to think that this could be stored in a freezer and stay "fresh" for a year or more.
Grinder thanks for the recipe idea. Sounds delicious!
I was very sucessful in dehydrating fat free refried beans over the weekend. I spread 1 can of refired beans on a parchment covered dyhydrator sheet and closed the lid.
About 1/2 way through the process I put the semi dried mixture in the blender. This tended to customize the size of the flakes. Back in the dehydrator to complete the drying.
Once drying was complete I placed the flakes back inthe blender to chop one more time. What I ended up with was a mixture that had the consistency of freezied dried coffee.
To rehydrate I mixed equal portions of instant rice and refired beans. I then added a equal amount of water ( 3 Tbls of beans + 3 Tbls of rice + 6 Tbls of water) I added some spices to tast and then put in a warm burito shell.
This will be a nice addition to my menu selection.:sun
Bobby
I could probably eat all of that in one sitting if I wasn’t eating anything else.:)
Scary thought.
Yet another reason not to use shelters. Unless you know Campsalot is not in the one you're considering.
It also would apply to anyone who has eaten half a box of Fantastic Foods Taco Mix :eek: :D
Dicentra
11-20-2008, 13:16
I did a blog WAY back when on refried beans.
Linky poo here. (http://www.onepanwonders.com/myblog.htm?blogentryid=1678563)
Many Walks
11-20-2008, 18:24
We get Refried Beans from Santa Fe Bean Co. in Northern CA. They are a great product and a good value. As wpbucher mentioned, they are sold through Amazon.
The Santa Fe website http://web.mac.com/santafebean/Santa_Fe_Bean_Company/Store.html has descriptions, recipes, prices, nutritional info, etc. They're light weight, easy and a 7.25 oz package re hydrates to about 20 oz. Put them on tortillas with onions, cheese, lettuce, salsa, guacamole, hot sauce..yum! They should stay good for a long time in their sealed (resealable) packages, so I wouldn't be concerned about stocking up a little with an 8 pack box. If you're planning some drop boxes, it would be another good option to include.
sarbar,
Last spring I had a new idea. no cook burritos with the fancy foods taco mix. I put some in a FBC bag with an equal amount of water and let it soak all morning.
At lunch time, I put the mix in a tortilla with some salsa from taco bell.
They tasted great, but that night was embarassing. and it ended, in the morning, with a literal "mad dash to the outhouse"
Dehydrated beans demand respect!!
Grinder
LOL.....Oh I feel for you!!!! That stuff tastes good but wow, oh wow, it can do bad things to your stomach!
You gotta say though.....be perfect for avoiding trail constipation :D
ChillyWilly
04-06-2011, 15:22
Went to Amazon looking for dehydrated beans and found the Mexicali Rose and Santa Fe brands mentioned earlier in this thread. Both were highly regarded by reviewers. I could get a single bag of the Mexacali Rose, whereas one has to order case lots of Santa Fe, so I ordered a bag of Mexacali Rose instant refried black beans.
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41Q1uWXciwL._SL500_AA300_.jpg
A 1/3 cup of dry beans is an alleged serving, and provides:
Fat - 0g
Cholesterol - 0mg
Sodium - 280mg
Carbs - 19g
Dietary fiber 7g
Sugars - 0g
Protein 6g
The directions call for bringing ~1:1 ratio of beans to water to a boil and simmering 5-8 minutes - Not ideal for freezer bag cooking, but maybe?
Thinking I'd like to try them as a rice and bean dish, I picked up some Minute White Rice. It's added 1:1 to boiling water, removed from heat and allowed to sit for 5 mins. 1/2 cup of dry rice is a serving and provides:
Fat - 0g
Cholesterol - 0mg
Sodium - 5mg
Carbs - 45g
Dietary fiber 0g
Sugars - 0g
Protein 5g
I put 2/3 cup of beans in a freezer baggy along with a cup of Minute White Rice, a tsp of cumin, 1/2 tsp of black pepper, 1/2 tsp of chili powder 1/2 tsp of cilantro. I covered everything with boiling water, sealed the bag and put it in a cozy for 8 mins, squishing occasionally.
They came out great. Both the rice and the beans were rehydrated and they were tasty. I'd probably add olive oil to provide some fat. That amount (two "servings") fed two of us for lunch, but would probably feed one hungry hiker.
I'd like to find a source for individual bags of the Santa Fe product ...:sun
HuskyDog
04-24-2011, 15:57
New company just started up based in Colorado. They sell refried pinto and black beans. Come in smaller packages with just 4 - 1/2 cup servings in them. It is the dried flakes that you just heat up with water and they taste really good. The jalapeno and chili flavor is my favorite! Here's the website: http://www.readybeans.com.
Happy Hiking!
In Tucson you should check out the 17th Street Market just east of downtown, or the Food Conspiracy on 4th Ave. Both should still have awesome bulk food sections for stuff like refried beans, or better. I just hit New Frontiers in Flagstaff for a few resupply boxes. The bulk sections have dehydrated foods that are super inexpensive. They also have good bulk granola cereals for around 3 bucks a pound. Also by the 17th st market their is the international food warehouse thats like a cosco for international foods, lots of good backpacking food there that is really different and will add good variety.
My favorite bulk foods for dinner are:
dehydrated black beans, refried beans, dehydrated curry lentil soup, spilt pea soup, corn chowder. Go those places up. Food Conspiracy has a CDT hiker working there too.
(Noticed the Tucson location in your little profile box on the left)
I don't know if the walmart has them, but one of our PA/NY/MD grocery stores carries them in the organic and international foods section--wegmans is the name of the store. They also sell hummus and quite a few other dehydrated types of ingredients that are handy for freezer bag cooking.
Being a vegetarian, these are a trail staple for me - I cook up Knor Pasta Sides Taco rice and these, put 'em in a tortilla and add some scarfed taco bell sauce for an excellent trail meal! Have fun:
www.fantasticfoods.com/productlist.aspx?catid=Vegetarian+Entrees
True Blue
09-20-2011, 04:22
Forget where I found this recipe, but it is cheap and tastes great. Can also be used with black beans.
Instant Refried Bean Mix
1lb. bag pinto beans, soaked, cooked, rinsed, cooled
5 tsp. cumin
5 tsp. chili powder
2 tsp. salt
5 Tbsp dried onions
In Food processor or blender grind together until a flour consistency. Store in ziploc.
Or, grind the beans until a flour consistency then stir in the spices.
To use: Mix 3/4 c. bean mix with 1 1/2 c. boiling water.
Cover and let sit for 5 min until thickened.
Mix will thicken more as it cools.
Add a Tbsp boiling water at a time to thin if the mix is too thick.
1 lb. bag beans = 4 c. dried mix = approx 8 c. bean dip/ paste
Good for dip with pita chips, pretzel chips, or any hard cracker.
Also great as a bean paste to fill tortillas, pita bread, etc. Add your favorite cheese, & veggies. Yum!
revisiting the subject:
I tried for a long time to duplicate the frijoles automatically served everywhere in mexico as a side dish. After trying many recipes I found you just use pintos,salt and water.
Cook until tender and beat with a mixer or just stir and stir. They dehydrate easy and should be food processed to speed rehydration.
It should be noted that refritos (canned) seem to all contain lard. I think las senores add lard to the skillet when reheating leftovers in la cosina. (Just a theory) But adding olive oil when reconstituting is a good thing!!
A good recipe with the beans is dehydrated beans, minute brown rice and gravel (deh. ground beef) and half a envelope of taco seasoning. It needs hot sauce as a condiment. bland without.
For refried beans I like to use Peruano beans (check for bulk hispanic specialty markets, in regular market you may find them but more expensive). They are a pale yellow bean that cook faster than pinto and are equally popular with Latin Americans. Soak 24 hrs or overnight in water + El Pato or other mexican-seasoned tomato sauce, then cook in the same liquid. I like to use a slow cooker for 3-4 hours. Then blend half, reduce liquid of the whole thing on the stovetop until very thick. Then transfer to the dehydrator. I throw some tomatillos and chiles in as well (separate from the beans in the dehydrator). When dehydrated freeze. This is good reheating with minute rice too! So easy
for freeze dried and dehydrated foods of all kinds..( Meat, cheese,fruit, beans, ect,ect ect. I have found a good source
at emergency essentials .com -I have been doing business with them for quite some time.
fungi601
11-12-2011, 10:19
Weather you refried bean flakes or like to make your own refried and dehydrated beans..... refried beans need some bacon grease to taste right to me. I know a lot of people take olive oil as part of there hiking pantry but I like to also take a small plastic bottle of bacon grease. you can leave it out at room temp for 2 or 3 weeks with no problem. A teaspoon or so in some refried beans on the trail does wonders. Works great in red beans and rice too. Also works as a substitute for bacon in a trail pasta carbonara.
I always save the bacon drippings when I cook bacon and just keep them in a coffee cup on the counter. If im not going to be using them or the cup is getting a bit full illl pour them into a mason jar and keep in the fridge tilll i need it.