If you’ve ever enjoyed a burrito or taco from Taco Bell, you know that their beans are a key part of the flavor experience. But have you ever wondered how Taco Bell beans are made? What gives them that creamy texture and signature taste? Let’s take a friendly deep dive into the process behind those famous beans and even share some homemade recipes inspired by Taco Bell’s style.
The Basics: Starting with Dry Pinto Beans
Taco Bell doesn’t just open a can and heat up some beans. Instead, they start with dry pinto beans, which is a big part of what makes their beans taste fresh and flavorful. These dry beans are soaked in water to soften them before cooking. Soaking helps the beans absorb water and cook evenly, which is crucial for that perfect texture.
The Cooking Process: Soaking, Cooking, and Mashing
After soaking, the beans are cooked until tender. In Taco Bell’s kitchens, this is done on a large scale, often using industrial equipment like giant pressure cookers to speed up the process while ensuring the beans are soft but not mushy. The cooking process can take a couple of hours to get the beans just right.
Once cooked, the beans are mashed to create that creamy consistency you expect in refried beans. But Taco Bell’s beans aren’t just plain mashed beans-they’re carefully seasoned and stirred to get the perfect texture and flavor.
The Flavor Magic: Seasoning and Spices
What really sets Taco Bell beans apart is the seasoning. While the exact spice blend is a closely guarded secret, it likely includes staples like onion powder, garlic powder, cumin, and chili powder. These spices give the beans a savory, slightly smoky flavor that complements the rest of Taco Bell’s menu perfectly.
The beans are stirred continuously during the rehydration and cooking process to achieve a smooth, pasty consistency, which is a big part of their appeal. The stirring also helps the spices blend evenly throughout the beans.
The Quick Version: How Taco Bell Makes Beans in Restaurants
In fast food settings, Taco Bell uses dehydrated beans that are rehydrated with hot water-sometimes even water from their tea and coffee machines! This process takes about 45 minutes and involves a lot of stirring to get the beans to that familiar pasty texture. This method allows Taco Bell to prepare beans quickly and in large quantities without sacrificing too much flavor.
Making Taco Bell Style Beans at Home
If you want to recreate Taco Bell beans in your own kitchen, here are two tasty recipes inspired by their style:
Classic Taco Bell Beans Recipe
Ingredients:
– 2 cups dried pinto beans
– 1 onion, diced
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 teaspoon cumin
– 1 teaspoon chili powder
– Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Rinse and soak the beans overnight or for at least 8 hours.
- Drain and cover beans with fresh water in a pot; simmer for 1-2 hours until tender.
- Sauté onion and garlic until translucent.
- Add cumin and chili powder to the sautéed veggies.
- Mix cooked beans with the sautéed mixture and mash slightly for creaminess.
- Season with salt and pepper. Serve warm.
Spicy Taco Bell Beans Recipe
Ingredients:
– 2 cups dried black beans
– 1 jalapeño, diced
– 1 onion, diced
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 teaspoon cumin
– 1 teaspoon paprika
– Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Rinse and soak beans as above.
- Cook beans until tender.
- Sauté onion, garlic, and jalapeño until soft.
- Add cumin and paprika, stir well.
- Combine beans with the sauté and mash lightly.
- Season to taste and enjoy the extra kick!
These recipes capture the essence of Taco Bell’s beans with fresh ingredients and bold spices.
Why Taco Bell Beans Taste So Good
The combination of starting with dry beans, carefully cooking and mashing them, and adding a blend of spices is what makes Taco Bell beans stand out. The process ensures the beans are creamy, flavorful, and perfectly seasoned every time.
Plus, the use of industrial methods like pressure cooking and rehydrating dehydrated beans allows Taco Bell to serve their beans quickly without losing that homemade taste.
Fun Fact: Behind the Scenes Buzz
Some Taco Bell employees have shared glimpses of the bean-making process on social media, revealing the rehydration of dehydrated beans with hot water and the extensive stirring involved. While some people found this a bit surprising, it’s a common practice in fast food to maintain consistency and efficiency.
Taco Bell beans are made by soaking and cooking dry pinto beans, seasoning them with a special blend of spices, and mashing them to creamy perfection. Whether you’re enjoying them in a burrito or trying a homemade version, now you know the tasty secret behind those beloved beans!