Garlic substitute?

[Natasha]

I’m making a pot of pinto beans and need to leave out garlic to accommodate a friend’s allergy. Any suggestions?

[Run Amok]

Are all alliums out? IE, no onion either?

Are you going for more of a Caribbean vibe or central American vibe?

For more of a Mexican-ish flavor I usually use some combo of epazote or oregano,  bay, cumin, and maybe a chipotle in Adobe or two or fresh peppers like serrano or jalapeno...and salt. I think you can just leave out the allium and still get good results. You could also add some bacon or a ham hock or something.

[Natasha]

She can handle onion.

I'm going for refried beans, so I've got some cumin and cayenne pepper in there. Salt. I don't have any fresh peppers so that's out, but I have some pickled jalapeño that I might throw in. I also don't have bacon so am trying parmesan rinds as a sub for that.

[Run Amok]

Here is the recipe I use for refried beans and it is SO good. I usually throw in a chipotle or two and use butter for the fat. Honestly, I don't think skipping the garlic would be a major problem.

After I mash the beans i add almost all of the cooking liquid back and then reduce on the stove until they are the right consistency.

https://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2014/04/perfect-refried-beans.html

[Natasha]

Thanks, I love Serious Eats. Next time, though. These beans are already cooked and there's not a lot of cooking liquid so I will probably just mash them in the pot.

I do think the parmesan rinds substituted well for bacon.

[witchypoo]

i usually add oregano to any beans a la southwest/central america/south america, along with cumin, bay, onion and garlic.  if i couldn't use garlic, i'd probably just up the amount of onion.

[Run Amok]

Thanks, I love Serious Eats. Next time, though. These beans are already cooked and there's not a lot of cooking liquid so I will probably just mash them in the pot.

I do think the parmesan rinds substituted well for bacon.

How did they turn out?

[BonitaApplebum]

Serious Eats is the best, I’ve made that recipe.

[caribougrrl]

Serious Eats is the best, I’ve made that recipe.

1. it's my go-to for refried beans


on a related note, if you have reserved duck fat from a roast duck, that is beautiful in refried beans...

[BonitaApplebum]

Duck fat is pretty beautiful in everything

[Natasha]

How did they turn out?

They were fine although a little bland. I'm eating the leftovers right now with Fritos.