Not Keto
Refried Beans
11.90g net carbs per 1/2 cup
Refried beans pack 11.9 g net carbs into a half-cup scoop, which can eat up most of a strict keto day in one side dish. Skip them when you can and reach for a low-carb option like mashed cauliflower or a dollop of guacamole instead.
Built by Barron Hansen · Last updated July 2026
Nutrition Facts
Fits My Daily Budget?
Set your daily net carb limit to see how one serving fits.
One serving uses 60% of your 20g daily budget.
Plan the rest of your day
Good to Know
Most canned versions (Old El Paso, Rosarita) are based on pinto beans, which are naturally starchy, so the carbs come from the beans themselves rather than anything you can scrape off. Watch the "refried" label too, since traditional recipes use lard or oil and some canned types add sugar, so check the ingredient list. If you want the texture for tacos or dips, a mashed-cauliflower or black-soybean swap gets you closer to keto territory.
Is Refried Beans Keto? The Full Answer
Refried Beans contains 11.90g net carbs per 1/2 cup (16.30g total carbs minus 4.40g fiber). Refried beans pack 11.9 g net carbs into a half-cup scoop, which can eat up most of a strict keto day in one side dish. Skip them when you can and reach for a low-carb option like mashed cauliflower or a dollop of guacamole instead.
On a standard ketogenic diet, most people target 20-25g net carbs per day. A single serving uses 60% of a 20g daily carb limit. If you are following a strict ketogenic protocol, reach for a lower-carb option instead.
Better Keto Swaps
Mashed cauliflower is the closest stand-in for that creamy, scoopable texture. Steam it soft, mash with a little butter and cumin, and you land around 3 g net carbs per half cup. Next try a black soybean mash. Eden brand black soybeans run about 1 g net carb per half cup, so you get the bean look and a savory bite without the starch hit. For something heartier, fold seasoned ground beef or pork with taco spices into a side - basically zero net carbs and it covers the same role on a plate. Any of these slots in where you would have spooned the original 11.9 g serving.
Track Your Ketone Levels
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