Black Bean Tacos
User Reviews
5
-
Prep Time
10 mins
-
Cook Time
10 mins
-
Total Time
20 mins
-
Servings
4
-
Calories
274 kcal
-
Course
Main Course
-
Cuisine
Mexican
Black Bean Tacos
Description
The Black Bean Tacos recipe centers on black beans cooked with aromatics like red onion, garlic, ground cumin, and smoked paprika, lending a smoky warmth to the filling. The partly mashed beans create a satisfying texture that prevents the filling from falling apart inside the taco shells. A creamy cilantro sauce made from cilantro, avocado, shallot, garlic, and red wine vinegar adds brightness and a silky contrast to the hearty beans.
The tacos are dressed with shredded lettuce and sliced cherry tomatoes for freshness and crunch, assembled in small tortillas to make handheld servings ideal for meals or casual gatherings. The sauce and bean mixture are prepared separately, allowing control over the creaminess and spice levels to suit taste preferences.
These tacos work well as a vegetarian meal option at home and can be customized easily by adjusting seasoning or toppings. They suit occasions when a flavorful, filling taco is desired without meat, highlighting the distinctive smoky and creamy components.
Ingredients
Black Bean Tacos
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 red onion , chopped
- 2 garlic minced, cloves
- 1 teaspoon cumin ground
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 (15-ounce) cans black beans , drained and rinsed
- salt I use Real Salt brand, fine sea salt
- 1 tablespoon lime juice (optional)
Creamy Cilantro Sauce
- 1/2 cup cilantro
- 1/4 avocado , pit removed
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 small shallot (~ 2 tablespoons)
- 1 garlic clove
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
Taco Assembly
- 8 to 12 tortilla small
- lettuce shredded
- cherry tomato sliced
Instructions
- To prepare the sauce, add the cilantro, avocado, water, shallot, garlic, vinegar, red pepper flakes, salt, and maple syrup. Blend until very smooth, then pour the sauce into a storage jar with a lid. Set it aside until ready to serve.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil and chopped red onion. Stir until softened, about 5 minutes. Add in the minced garlic, cumin, and smoked paprika, and stir for 1 more minute, just until they smell fragrant.
- Add the drained beans to the pan and season with a 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Add in a 1/4 cup of water and use a spatula to scrape the bottom of the pan, making sure none of the spices are sticking. The water will evaporate as the beans warm up. Cook until the beans are warmed through, about 5 minutes, then use a potato masher to mash some of the beans. (I find this texture prevents them from falling out of the taco shell so easily.) Feel free to mash as many beans as you like, or leave them all whole. It's up to you!
- Taste the bean mixture, and add a squeeze of lime juice, if you like, to brighten the flavor. You can also add more salt, if needed. Then, this filling is ready to serve. Add the black bean mixture to each tortilla, then top with shredded lettuce, tomatoes, and a generous spoonful of the cilantro sauce. Serve right away. Leftover beans and sauce can be stored separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Notes
- Using a gluten-free tortilla like corn or cassava makes this recipe gluten-free.
- Nutrition info is estimated assuming use of flour tortillas and full batch of sauce; actual nutrition will vary if sauce is used partially or with different tortillas.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 274 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 274kcal | 14% |
| Carbohydrates | 43g | 14% |
| Protein | 14g | 28% |
| Fat | 6g | 9% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Sodium | 1117mg | 47% |
| Potassium | 825mg | 18% |
| Fiber | 16g | 64% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 331IU | 7% |
| Vitamin C | 12mg | 13% |
| Calcium | 100mg | 10% |
| Iron | 5mg | 28% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
You'll Also Love
