Gluten Free
Black Bean Tacos
Prep
15 minutes
Cook
20 minutes
Yield
7 -8
🌮 Taco night just got better! These black bean tacos are packed with seasoned beans, fresh guac, and endless topping possibilities. Healthy, budget-friendly, and so satisfying - even meat-lovers will be asking for seconds!
Did somebody say taco night? These easy vegetarian black bean tacos are ready to be your new taco night staple recipe. Made with flavorful black beans for a hardy protein, and topped with your favorite taco toppings, this recipe is bound to be a favorite in your household, no matter your age.
❤️ Why You’ll Love Black Bean Tacos
- Quick: These black bean tacos only take 15 minutes to prepare. Perfect for a busy night!
- Budget-Friendly: Black beans are an affordable protein that stretches your grocery budget without compromising on nutrition.
- Family-Friendly: Even meat-lovers will be impressed by how hearty and satisfying these vegetarian tacos are.
🍲 Ingredients
Guacamole Mix – No need to spend hours on the guac, Simply Organic’s Guacamole Dip Mix makes it literally so quick and easy. It’s made with a combo of organic ingredients that you mix in with fresh avocados (I also like to add onion too) for a quick guac. This shortcut delivers all the flavor of homemade guacamole without the measuring and mixing of individual spices.
Avocados – Loaded with nutrients such as vitamin C, K, B, E, and A, avocados are not just delicious. These glorious fruits (yes, they’re fruits) are also a good source of dietary fiber, which helps keep your heart healthy among so many other things. They provide the creamy, rich texture that makes these tacos feel indulgent while being incredibly nutritious.
👩🍳 How to Make Black Bean Tacos
1. Prepare all your taco fillings and set them aside.
2. Into a medium-sized pot heat, the olive oil on medium heat then adds the bean to the pot. Warm throughout before adding the rest of the ingredients. You want to stir to fully coat each bean and reduce heat to low and cook for 15 minutes or until soft. You can use a masher to soften the beans.
3. Prepare the guacamole by adding the avocados, mix, onion, and cilantro into a mixing bowl, and mash the avocado until you’ve reached your desired consistency.
4. Char/cook tortillas over open file. Do this carefully using metal tongs and keep your eye on them. They will likely need 15-20 seconds on each side depending on the power of your stovetop.
5. Begin assembling your tacos by adding all the toppings to the taco. I did around 2 tbsp. of bean mix per taco and then adding a generous amount of everything else… Yes, I am extra like that.
🗒 Tips and Tricks
- Bean Texture: Use a potato masher to partially mash some beans for a heartier texture while keeping others whole.
- Tortilla Warming: Charring tortillas over an open flame adds authentic smoky flavor – watch carefully to prevent burning.
- Make-Ahead: The seasoned beans can be made up to 3 days ahead and reheated when ready to serve.
- Spice Control: Start with less chili powder and add more to taste – you can always add heat, but can’t take it away.
🗒 Substitutions
- Oil-Free: If you are oil-free, you can substitute 1 tbsp. water or vegetable stock for the olive oil.
- Spices: If you don’t have garlic powder, use 3 cloves of fresh garlic, minced.
- Sofrito: If you don’t have sofrito, use tomato paste.
- Spice Level: If you are not good with spice, omit the chili powder entirely and use a small amount of smoked paprika instead. 1/2 tsp will do!
- Gas Stove: If you don’t have a gas stove heat the tortillas in a cast-iron skillet till toasty, moldable, and hot.
🗒 Best served with
- Easy Chipotle Vegan Corn Chowder
- 5-Minute Recipe for Mango Salsa
- 7 Layer Dip with Homemade Baked Beans
- How to Make Guacamole
👝 How to Store Leftovers
Store leftover seasoned black beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The beans actually taste even better the next day as the flavors meld together. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of water or broth if needed. Store guacamole with plastic wrap pressed directly onto the surface to prevent browning, and use within 2 days.
🤔 Common Questions
Absolutely! Canned black beans work perfectly. Just drain and rinse them first, then follow the recipe as written. The cooking time may be slightly shorter since canned beans are already tender.
Classic toppings include shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, cheese, sour cream, cilantro, and lime wedges. Get creative with pickled jalapeños, corn salsa, hot sauce, or roasted vegetables for extra flavor.
This recipe is inherently gluten-free when using corn tortillas. Always check your specific brands to ensure they’re certified gluten-free if you have celiac disease.
The seasoned beans can be made 2-3 days ahead and stored in the refrigerator. Prepare toppings the day of serving for the freshest flavor and texture. Assemble tacos just before eating.
Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the guacamole to prevent air exposure, and add a squeeze of lime juice, which helps slow browning. Use within 1-2 days for best quality.
Charring over an open flame gives the best flavor, but you can also warm them in a dry cast-iron skillet, wrap in damp paper towels and microwave for 30 seconds, or warm in a 350°F oven wrapped in foil.
Black Bean Tacos
Ingredients
For the Beans:
- 1 tbsp. olive oil
- 1 400 ml can of black beans with their juices
- 3 tbsp. Sofrito authentic Mexican tomato cooking base or 2 tbsp. tomato paste
- 2 tbsp. green salsa optional
- 1 tbsp. garlic powder
- 1 tbsp. onion powder
- 1 tbsp. cumin spice
- 1 tsp chili powder
- dash of salt and pepper
For the Toppings/Taco:
- 7-8 14-16 if you choose to double up your tortillas authentic corn flour tortillas, cooked over the fire grill till hot and crispy sides
- 1 cup queso
- 1/2 cup crema
- 1/2 cup finely chopped white onion
- 1/4 green salsa
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro finely chopped
- fresh lime wedges
For the Guacamole:
Instructions
- Prepare all your taco fillings and set them aside.
- Into a medium-sized pot heat, the olive oil on medium heat then adds the bean with their juices to the pot. Warm throughout before adding the rest of the ingredients. You want to stir to fully coat each bean and reduce heat to low and cook for 15 minutes or until soft. You can use a masher to soften the beans.
- Prepare the guacamole by adding the avocados, mix, onion, and cilantro into a mixing bowl, and mash the avocado until you’ve reached your desired consistency.
- Char/cook tortillas over open file. Do this carefully using metal tongs and keep your eye on them. They will likely need 15-20 seconds on each side depending on the power of your stovetop.
- Begin assembling your tacos by adding all the toppings to the taco. I did around 2 tbsp. of bean mix per taco and then adding a generous amount of everything else… Yes, I am extra like that. Enjoy!
Video
Who knew black beans could be THIS delicious?! I was always really underhelmed as a kid, but this is amazing! Thank you.
it was a secret right?! happy yo enjoy jamie!!
The beans are absolutely delicious and perfectly seasoned. Hand down I would make this again snd next time get the queso.
yay!!! Thank you so much, Jody!!!