The $1.25 Dollar Tree Find I Buy Every Time I Go

I make a general meal plan each week, but inevitably, there are still nights when 5:30 p.m. rolls around and I have no idea what we’re going to eat. The kids are getting cranky, everyone’s hungry, and I’m mentally calculating how long it would take to order pizza. In these moments, I’ve learned the value of having a few key ingredients to create an easy, nutritious, and satisfying meal.

That’s how my love affair with beans began. I started keeping prepared beans on hand because they’re basically magic, transforming a sad bag of rice into a proper meal, stretching a meat dish into something that feeds the whole family for two days, and making everyone feel like they’ve eaten something substantial.

So when I discovered La Sierra Refried Pinto Beans at Dollar Tree for just $1.25, I knew they’d become a long-term pantry staple.

Why I Love Dollar Tree’s La Sierra Refried Pinto Beans

For $1.25, I get a 15.2-ounce pouch (or a 20.5-ounce can) that feeds my family of four as a main dish or two side dishes. That breaks down to anywhere from 15 to 31 cents per serving. Beyond being budget-friendly, these beans are genuinely tasty, with a rich, creamy texture. Because they’re made without lard, I can also serve them to my 8-year-old daughter, whose deep love of animals and big conscience turn her into an occasional vegetarian. 

Even though there’s technically a smaller amount of beans in the pouch versus the can, I love its simplicity. There’s no can opener required, and I can squeeze out every last bit by running my fingers over the outside of the packet.

The ingredient list is also refreshingly simple: water, pinto beans, oil, onion, and salt. That’s it. They’re great on their own, but their simplicity also allows me to customize them with spices or additions that work for whatever direction dinner is heading.

How I Use Dollar Tree’s Refried Pinto Beans

These beans are a lifesaver for effortless meals and last-minute get-togethers. For the world’s easiest quesadilla, I spread some over flour tortillas and top it with grated cheese and whatever leftover veggies and/or protein I have kicking around in the fridge. It’s less a recipe, more of an emergency meal, and something my kids would eat daily if I let them. 

For busy mornings, I’ll spread them on a tortilla with scrambled eggs and store-bought salsa for breakfast burritos that mostly keep the kids full until lunch—or at least gets them through Saturday morning swimming lessons.

These beans are also my trick for stretching meat. When I’m making tacos or burritos, I always serve beans as an optional component. It bulks up the filling, adds fiber and protein, makes the meal more satiating, and usually results in lots of leftovers for the next day’s lunch or dinner.

And when I need a quick appetizer for unexpected guests, I use them to make my mom’s version of a 7-layer dip. They’re easy, fast, nutritious, and delicious, and they solve the problem I often face as a parent: how to turn not quite enough into plenty. For $1.25, that’s a pretty good deal!

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