Prepare the Dried Beans - Pick over and discard any broken dried beans. Add them to a colander and rinse with cold water for 1 to 2 minutes.
Soak the Dried Beans - Overnight Soaking: Add beans, 1 ½ tablespoons salt, and 8 cups water to a large bowl. Cover and allow to sit for 8 to 24 hours. Drain and rinse the beans before cooking.Quick Soaking (Same Day Cooking):In a large saucepan or dutch oven, add beans, 1 ½ tablespoons salt, and 8 cups water, stir to dissolve. Bring to a boil for 2 minutes. Turn off the heat and cover for 1 hour. Drain and rinse before cooking.
Cook the Dried Beans - In a large saucepan or dutch oven, add the soaked beans, 6 cups of water, 1 ½ teaspoon of salt, onion wedges, and bay leaf. Bring water to a simmer over medium-high heat. Cover and reduce heat to low. Stir occasionally to make sure they don’t stick to the bottom of the pot, about every 30 minutes. Gently cook beans over low heat until very tender and creamy, about 60 to 75 minutes. Discard the onions and bay leaf. Use a slotted spoon to transfer beans to a bowl and reserve the starchy liquid.
Cook the Aromatics - In a large skillet, heat the butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the onions, garlic, and jalapenos. Saute until onions are translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the cumin and oregano, saute until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Mash the Cooked Beans - Add about 3 ½ cups of beans and saute for 2 minutes. Turn off the heat and use a potato masher to crush them until the desired consistency is reached. For a smoother consistency, use a handheld immersion blender to puree the beans. Alternatively, add to a food processor or blender and pulse until desired consistency is reached.
Add the Starchy Liquid - Turn the heat to low. Add ¾ cups of the reserved starchy liquid, stir to combine. Stir in the lime zest and lime juice. Season to taste, adding more as needed.
Notes
Recipe Yield: 3 cups
Serving Size: ½ cup
Using Canned Beans: Use 30 ounces of canned pinto beans. Place a colander over a bowl and pour the beans in, letting them drain for about 5 minutes. You should have roughly 3½ cups of beans and about ¾ cup of the starchy liquid—reserve that liquid to use later. Then proceed with the refried beans recipe.
Storing: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Freeze for up to 3 months.