This Under $2 H-E-B Item Is The Secret Behind My Best Party Appetizer

As a Texas resident, let me be the first to admit that, when it comes to our love of H-E-B, we Texans are completely insufferable. This grocery chain headquartered in San Antonio inspires intense devotion from Lone Star denizens (especially those living in Central Texas, where H-E-B is especially widespread) for its high-quality prepared food offerings, its in-store tortillerias, and its shockingly-good “generic” store brand products. H-E-B isn’t just a supermarket. It’s a lifestyle, and it’s one that Texans will brag about to anyone who will listen.  

I’ll admit to playing favorites with my H-E-B-branded groceries, and while the fresh butter tortillas and tortilla chips in the bakery section and the bold refrigerated salsas in the produce section deserve honorable mentions, there is one under-$2 H-E-B item that always occupies some pantry real estate in my kitchen: their Refried Charro Beans. 

What Are Charro Beans?

Charro beans, or frijoles charros, are a Mexican dish consisting of pinto beans stewed with tomatoes, onions, hot peppers, garlic, cilantro, and bacon until they become tender and infused with savory and aromatic flavor.

Why Is H-E-B’s Version So Special?

Canned refried beans don’t have the best reputation, as many popular brands suffer from serious blandness. You might get a trace of salt and a hint of allium, but these beans have little else to offer your tastebuds.

• Flavor: H-E-B Refried Charro Beans defy those low expectations by packing a layered and nuanced flavor profile into a humble aluminum can. The savory umami notes of chicken broth meld nicely with the earthiness of the pinto beans, the onion and tomato offer brightness, there’s a trace of spice from jalapeño peppers, and an herbaceous hint of cilantro rounds out the taste landscape. 
• Texture: While some refried beans are so thickly congealed that they’re hard to remove from the can and require some extra fork mashing to get rid of that cylindrical shape, these beans are designed to spread easily. Plus, they cling nicely to chips and tortillas, so they can function as a really excellent bean dip without any extra ingredients. 

Creative Ways To Use H-E-B Refried Charro Beans

• Speedy Bean Dip: As I mentioned before, I’m a big fan of cracking open a can of H-E-B Refried Charro Beans, scooping them into a bowl, maybe popping them in the microwave for a minute, and then digging right in with a bag of tortilla chips.
• Tacos: I live in Austin where breakfast tacos are basically a religion, and when I make my own versions at home, I love to slather a layer of Refried Charro Beans on my freshly-blistered flour tortilla before adding scrambled eggs and chorizo, sliced avocado, grated Pepper Jack cheese, and a drizzle of hot sauce.
• Burrito Bowls: Refried Charro Beans are also crucial to my DIY spin on a Chipotle burrito bowl;these beans partner beautifully with cilantro-lime brown rice, fresh pico de gallo and guacamole, grilled chicken or carnitas, iceberg lettuce, and salsa verde. 

Why 7-Layer Dip Is The Best Way To Use H-E-B Refried Charro Beans

• They're spreadable: Because the beans are spreadable without being overly thin, they can evenly cover the bottom of a dip dish, and their flavor dynamics make them a base layer with character.
• They’re an anchor for spicy salsa, creamy guac and sour cream, and seasoned ground beef without feeling like an afterthought.
• They have good texture: Because they tend to firm up a bit after refrigeration, they have enough textural integrity to scoop onto a tortilla chip without separating from the rest of the dip (or cracking the chip).
• They're under $2: They’re the perfect non-perishable party snack, and the fact that H-E-B sells them for under $2 a can is yet another testament to the GOAT status of Texas’ favorite grocery store.