Santa Fe Bean Company Instant Fat Free Vegetarian Refried Beans 7.25-Ounce (Pack of 8) Instant Vegetarian Refried Beans; All Natural; High in Fiber; Fat Free; Gluten-Free

I live in San Antonio, Texas, where we have fabulous Mexican food on practically every corner. Soft bean and cheese tacos have been one of my family's favorite snacks and light meals for years now. We can buy lovely flour tortillas in every grocery store, but often the only choice for refried beans is the canned variety. If you've ever had them, you know they bear little resemblance to authentic refried beans. I first had dehydrated beans when a Mexican friend told me that's what many restaurants use. The idea of dehydrated beans grossed me out til I finally tried them one day. Wow! The taste and texture of restaurant refried beans in only 5 minutes! These beans are fantastic and perfect for making soft tacos. My kids are hooked. Initially, I was able to find the Mexicali Rose brand (which is delicious) in my local grocery store but now, I cannot find them consistently locally. After reading the great reviews for this Santa Fe Bean Company brand, I decided to order them. They are absolutely just as delicious as the Mexicali Rose brand! I've put them on Subscribe and Save so I never find my pantry bare of beans again. For anyone interested, here's how I make quick and easy bean and cheese tacos: Santa Fe Instant Fat Free Vegetarian Refried Beans Store bought flour tortillas shredded Fiesta blend cheese shredded lettuce and diced tomatoes Cook the beans as directed on the package. While the beans are simmering the 5 minutes, lightly brown some flour tortillas on a hot, flat griddle. (I put them immediately into a tortilla keeper so they stay warm. Tortilla Warmer 12" - Insulated Fabric Pouch by Camerons - Keeps warm for one hour after just 45 microwave seconds (Sunface) ) Once the beans are done, spoon a line of beans down the middle of a tortilla, sprinkle shredded cheese on top of the beans and fold in half - taco-style. You can also put some of the shredded lettuce and diced tomatoes on top of the cheese or serve on the side, as is the case in virtually all Mexican meals. You can also substitute the cheese with Mexican rice and make bean and rice tacos, which are fabulous and filling and also make a complete protein.

I'm glad to have found these online at a reasonable price. They taste so much better than can beans. Almost like homemade. I choose the fat free so I can choose a better fat than canola. I'm also glad they are reasonably salted too. I like to even eat them crunchy out of the bag. I know that may sound odd, but they really do have a nice crunch. Outdoor people: These are a great food for the wilderness. 1. can just let soak for a long time and they will soften to almost the right texture to each if you are out of fuel or cook for a shorter time to save fuel. 2. I have left my water out on a rock in the sun to get it really warm and them put them in my black pot covered in the sun and that helps too. 3. They are actually good crunchy. 4. They mix into things to add bulk. Say soups or whatever and basically disappear into the food. 5. I've even mixed in with other veggies to make like a stew consistency. 6. Of course rice, 7. Make Huevos Rancheros using them camping with your tortillas/eggs and salsa packs. I don't carry bacon in bear country LOL. I just love these things. Quick, Easy, Tasty and nutrition since they are just beans and salt. Also, being they are dehydrated, they don't ruin while stored.

Refried beans? Fat free? Vegetarian? Three of my favorite food words! These are so convenient, so good, so easy to prepare, it's almost embarrassing! I add them to brown rice (while the rice is cooking) with a packet of taco/fajita/etc. seasoning for an easy, delicious 3-ingredient meal in one pot! Of course, you can add other ingredients... it's also fun to just go wild with them and invent other dishes --- inexpensive, filling, good for you --- and you'll be happy to know that I have never had the misfortune to suffer socially unacceptable side effects, not even during a game of Twister! :)

Really great beans!. I like that the ingredient list is only beans and salt. The beans are really creamy and flavorful. I'm ordering a second order of 8 packages since I eat them all the time now. I've made them thin like a soup and thick and creamy for tostadas, etc. The amount of water you use makes a big difference. I don't even follow the directions, I just dump the beans into the amount of water I want and cook them a few minutes until they are my desired consistency. My favorite thing is hot white rice and some of these creamy beans or I buy the ready made tostadas and add the beans with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and a little cheese or you can leave out the tostada and just layer ingredients on a plate. Good low-calorie meal. Sometimes I add my favorite salsa to the beans for something different, or just a little cheese, some chili powder, etc etc. The possibilies are endless.

Santa Fe Bean Company: -- Mild cereal flavor, similar to corn flakes (which I prefer). Moderate sodium taste; in fact, this brand tastes as though it has more sodium, contrary to the nutrition labels. -- Some clumping of dry bean flakes. Rehydrate slightly less rapidly, although no problem. Two halves of an unflaked bean found, after the contents of ~5 packages consumed; no damage to my teeth. -- Lower price per ounce. -- Convenient bag, durable and resealable. No individual box to discard. Taste Adventure: -- Mild bean flavor. No significant sodium taste, although the nutrition labels indicate this brand has more sodium. -- No clumping of dry bean flakes. Rehydrate quite rapidly. No unflaked beans found, after the contents of >60 packages consumed. -- Higher price per ounce. -- Packaging less convenient. A little bit of bean powder sometimes found in individual cardboard box. Plastic bag not designed to be resealed.

Add water, put in microwave following the instructions, add a little more water until the right consistency for what you want and then finish cooking and enjoy. Wonderful flavor and so easy. Delicious. Authentic flavor. Could not be easier. What more could you ask for? Enjoy. I have not taken backpacking yet, but would definitely work out in the middle of nowhere if you just have water and some way to heat it up. So glad I found this product. For variety, I add different spices and things to eat it with. It is not spicy or hot at all, so you can spice it up the way you want.

great product when you need Mexican beans WITHOUT ALL THE WORK

Great flavor, fast & easy to make, no additives, goes with everything. I just wish they were a little more affordable.