Frijoles Refritos
Cooked pinto or black beans mashed and then fried in lard (or oil), seasoned with salt, often finished with a few drops of lime juice and served as a side dish or tortilla filling.
Allergen data cross-referenced against published allergen databases.
Your dietary restrictions
The full allergen breakdown is below. Select your restrictions to see a personalized safety status.
Full allergen breakdown
Ingredients
- pinto or black beans
- lard or vegetable oil
- garlic
- salt
- lime
Hidden Ingredients
These ingredients are not typically listed on menus but are present in traditional preparations.
- traditional version uses lard (pork fat)
- some restaurants use bacon fat instead of lard
- queso fresco is sometimes crumbled on top as a garnish
Allergen Breakdown
Dairy-Free
Check with staffLard is pork fat (not dairy) but queso fresco is sometimes crumbled on top. Ask before serving.
Gluten-Free
Likely OKBeans are naturally gluten-free. No wheat in standard refried beans.
Peanut-Free
Likely OKNo peanuts in refried beans.
Tree Nut-Free
Likely OKNo tree nuts in refried beans.
Shellfish-Free
Likely OKNo shellfish in refried beans.
Egg-Free
Likely OKNo eggs in refried beans.
Fish-Free
Likely OKNo fish in refried beans.
Soy-Free
Likely OKNo soy in traditional refried beans.
Sesame-Free
Likely OKNo sesame in refried beans.
Vegetarian
Check with staffTraditional preparation uses lard (pork fat). Ask for 'sin manteca' (without lard) or 'con aceite vegetal' (with vegetable oil).
| Restriction | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dairy-Free | Check with staff | Lard is pork fat (not dairy) but queso fresco is sometimes crumbled on top. Ask before serving. |
| Gluten-Free | Likely OK | Beans are naturally gluten-free. No wheat in standard refried beans. |
| Peanut-Free | Likely OK | No peanuts in refried beans. |
| Tree Nut-Free | Likely OK | No tree nuts in refried beans. |
| Shellfish-Free | Likely OK | No shellfish in refried beans. |
| Egg-Free | Likely OK | No eggs in refried beans. |
| Fish-Free | Likely OK | No fish in refried beans. |
| Soy-Free | Likely OK | No soy in traditional refried beans. |
| Sesame-Free | Likely OK | No sesame in refried beans. |
| Vegetarian | Check with staff | Traditional preparation uses lard (pork fat). Ask for 'sin manteca' (without lard) or 'con aceite vegetal' (with vegetable oil). |
Key risk: Refried beans are the most common example of the lard trap in Mexican cuisine. The dish appears to be a plant-based bean preparation, but traditional Mexican recipes use manteca (lard) as the fat for frying. Restaurant versions labeled 'vegetariano' or 'con aceite' use vegetable oil instead. Asking 'con manteca o aceite?' (with lard or oil?) is the essential question.
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Scan a menu nowImportant: Dish Scout is a reference guide, not medical advice. Traditional recipes vary by restaurant, region, and chef. Always verify ingredients with restaurant staff before ordering. When in doubt, don't eat it.