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HomeRecipesTacos

Black Bean Tacos

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By: IsabelPosted: 10/5/20

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Black Bean Tacos

Black Bean Tacos are easy to make, delicious, and have big flavor. All you need are a handful of easy ingredients that you already have in your pantry, a few seasonings, and 7 minutes to cook this recipe! It’s a great weeknight dinner that will satisfy all your taco cravings.

Black bean tacos topped with sour cream.

Table of Contents

  • Ingredients You’ll Need
  • Canned or dried black beans?
  • How to make black bean tacos
  • Recipe Variations
  • Storing and reheating
  • Serving suggestions
  • More Black Bean Recipes
  • Black Bean Tacos
  • Ingredients
  • Instructions
  • Isabel’s Tips
  • Nutrition Information

This easy Black Bean Tacos recipe is destined to be your new favorite no-hassle meal! We’re turning simple ingredients into big flavor thanks to the right seasonings, garlic, and jalapeño. As a bonus, this is a naturally vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free recipe that is loaded with protein.

Black beans make for a great base in tacos. They’re so versatile and go perfectly with a number of toppings and sauces. I like mine in a fresh, homemade tortilla topped with Mexican rice, avocado, cheese, shredded lettuce, and a drizzle of cilantro lime crema for the best flavor.

Make this recipe for a fun and simple taco night or when you’re just not sure what to do with the cans of black beans in your cupboard!

Ingredients for black bean tacos on a table

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • Black Beans – You can use canned beans to make this recipe really easy, or use dry beans instead. I’ve included instructions for both methods below.
  • Onion and Garlic – Fresh garlic will give you the best flavor, but you can use garlic powder instead if that’s all you have.
  • Jalapeño – Adding a jalapeño is completely optional. If you don’t want the tacos to be spicy but still want to add the jalapeño, remove and discard its seeds and veins beforehand.
  • Seasonings – Ground cumin, Kosher salt, dried oregano, and smoked paprika will soak into the onions and garlic, giving each bite deep and authentic flavors.
  • Tomato Paste – This helps lift any spices from the bottom of the pan and creates balance among the variety of flavors.
  • Corn Tortillas – Make sure to warm the tortillas before serving so they’re pliable and easy to handle. I like to wrap them in a damp paper towel and heat them in the microwave for 1 minute, flipping halfway through.
  • Lots of Toppings – Top your tacos with all of your favorites, like lettuce, cheese, and salsa. I’ve included a ton of options for you below!

Canned or dried black beans?

I love to cook with canned black beans because they’re inexpensive, easy, and so widely available. However, if all you have are dried beans at home, use them instead! I highly recommend cooking dried black beans in an Instant Pot because there’s no soaking required and they’re done in just 1 hour. 

If you don’t own an Instant Pot, soak 1 pound of dried beans in water overnight. Add them to a pot with 4” of water the next day and bring to a boil on the stovetop. Continue boiling for 10 minutes before reducing the heat to low, covering with a lid, and simmering for 1 to 2 hours (or until tender).

As soon as the beans are ready, you can begin to make your tacos!

Black beans cooking in a skillet with spices and seasonings.

How to make black bean tacos

  1. Saute onions, jalapeño, and garlic: Heat up the oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat and saute the onions, tomatoes, jalapeño, cumin, salt, oregano, and smoked paprika. When everything is translucent and fragrant, add in the garlic.
  2. Add the beans: After 30 seconds, add in the black beans, tomato paste, and water. Keep stirring the mixture until the tomato paste dissolves (about 3 minutes). Taste and season as needed.
  3. Serve: Take the mixture off of the heat and add a scoop into a tortilla with all of the toppings you like!
Black Bean Tacos topped with crema and chopped cilantro.

Recipe Variations

  • Want some meat? Eat the bean tacos as is or add in shrimp, shredded chicken, or homemade chorizo.
  • Don’t have black beans? Pinto beans will work just as well.
  • Add a little color and stir some frozen corn kernels in with the beans.
  • Want it a little spicier? Substitute the jalapeños with serrano peppers for more of a kick.
  • Out of tortillas? Make your own corn tortillas with just 4 ingredients. Feel free to make this recipe with flour tortillas as well.

Storing and reheating

To store leftover seasoned black beans, keep them in an airtight container in the fridge. They should stay fresh for up to 4 days.

To freeze the beans, seal them in a freezer-safe container or wrapped in foil and freeze for 1 or 2 months. Allow them to thaw overnight in the fridge or reheat from frozen.

To reheat, place the chilled or frozen beans in a skillet on the stove with a little oil, broth, or water. The beans would also be good eaten straight from the fridge with tortilla chips!

Black bean tacos in a corn tortilla with lime wedges.

Serving suggestions

It’s not a taco without the toppings! Top them with shredded lettuce, jicama slaw, cotija cheese, rajas con crema, guacamole, pico de gallo, or cilantro. Then finish with a dollop of cilantro lime crema, avocado crema, or sour cream.

Make it a meal and include the right side dishes. For a full lunch, include grilled corn salsa, cilantro lime rice, and a classic margarita on the side.

More Black Bean Recipes

Try out these recipes the next time you have one too many cans of black beans in your cupboard:

  • Easy Black Bean Brownies
  • Black Bean Burgers
  • Black Bean Soup
  • Black Bean Patties

Recipe

4.89 from 18 votes

Black Bean Tacos

Serves: 4 servings
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Black Bean Tacos topped with crema and chopped cilantro.
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 7 minutes
Total : 17 minutes
This easy Black Bean Tacos recipe is a quick weeknight meal will satisfy all your taco cravings! Only 7 minutes of cooking required!

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 small onion, chopped
  • 1 jalapeño, minced (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon coarse kosher salt, plus more to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 8 corn tortillas, warmed
  • optional toppings: shredded lettuce, shredded cheese, cilantro lime crema, lime juice

Instructions

  • Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat.
  • Add onions, jalapeño (if using), cumin, salt, oregano, and smoked paprika. Stir and saute for 3-5 minutes, until onions have softened and become translucent.
  • Add garlic and saute for 30 seconds, until fragrant.
  • Add black beans, tomato paste, and water. Stir to combine and cook for 3 more minutes, constantly stirring to make sure the tomato paste completely dissolves.
  • Taste and season with more salt if necessary.
  • Remove from heat and serve in warm corn tortillas topped with shredded lettuce, shredded cheese, and a drizzle of cilantro lime crema or lime juice.

Isabel’s Tips:

  • Adding a jalapeño is completely optional. If you don’t want it spicy but still want to add the jalapeño, remove and discard the seeds and veins.
  • These tacos are also great with flour tortillas and hard taco shells!

Nutrition Information

Serving: 2tacos Calories: 253kcal (13%) Carbohydrates: 43g (14%) Protein: 10g (20%) Fat: 5g (8%) Saturated Fat: 1g (5%) Sodium: 756mg (32%) Potassium: 477mg (14%) Fiber: 11g (44%) Sugar: 1g (1%) Vitamin A: 160IU (3%) Vitamin C: 9mg (11%) Calcium: 82mg (8%) Iron: 3mg (17%)
Author: Isabel Eats
Course:Main
Cuisine:Mexican
Black Bean Tacos topped with crema and chopped cilantro.
Did you Make my Black Bean Tacos?Leave a comment below and tag @isabeleats on social media!
@isabeleats

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    Easy Black Bean Soup Recipe
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    Enfrijoladas Recipe
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Cilantro lime crema in a jar topped with chopped cilantro.
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Recipe Rating:




  1. Gloria Bourdoin says

    Posted on 3/21 at 6:44 pm

    5 stars
    So easy to make and delicious!!

    Reply
  2. JJ says

    Posted on 1/12 at 8:15 am

    5 stars
    Will make these for lunch today. So happy to see a taco that is made of veggies; we also eat fish/shrimp, so I’m especially glad to see you mention that adding shrimp with the beans is a great way to add more protein. I’m sure it will be awesome!

    Reply
  3. Shannon says

    Posted on 7/25 at 12:20 pm

    5 stars
    This is my first time ever leaving a comment on a recipe blog… I couldn’t miss the opportunity to give this 5 stars! I made these black bean tacos last night and they are just delicious! The filling has so much flavor and the cilantro lime crema adds the perfect touch.

    Reply
    • Ana @ Isabel Eats says

      Posted on 7/26 at 10:42 am

      Hi Shannon! Thank you so much!

      Reply
  4. Kristin says

    Posted on 6/11 at 10:07 pm

    5 stars
    I made your black bean tacos! I’m trying to make more meatless recipes. These were surprisingly super yummy!! I garnished with shredded Mexican cheese, cilantro & avocado. Will make them again and think I’ll try my black bean mix leftovers on nachos!!

    Reply
    • Ana @ Isabel Eats says

      Posted on 6/13 at 10:04 am

      Hi Kristin! Thank you, we’re glad you enjoyed this recipe!

      Reply
  5. Carmen says

    Posted on 5/21 at 2:30 pm

    5 stars
    These were wonderful! Just the right amount of spices and heat. the best black bean tacos I’ve made yet. Thanks for this recipe!

    Reply
  6. Barbara Carter says

    Posted on 3/20 at 11:26 am

    I love this recipe! Question: are the tacos and crème included in the nutritional information or just the basic black bean recipe? I’m trying to calculate WW points. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Ana @ Isabel Eats says

      Posted on 3/21 at 10:01 am

      Hi Barbara! It’s based on the black bean filling and tortilla. The toppings and crema aren’t included. I hope this helps!

      Reply
  7. Katie says

    Posted on 2/23 at 12:17 am

    5 stars
    We’ve made these two weeks in a row now! The crema really makes these tacos 5 star- so yummy!

    Reply
  8. Lisa says

    Posted on 1/23 at 7:22 pm

    5 stars
    These black bean tacos with your recipe for cilantro lime crema was the bomb! I love your recipes! Clean and fresh!

    Reply
  9. Stella says

    Posted on 8/31 at 11:07 am

    Hi Isabel, Just wanted to let you know your Black Bean Taco Recipe was featured on Flipboard today. Here is the link: https://flipboard.com/@stellak2020/5-plant-based-taco-recipes-lfgkp35bggf8bbd0 Hope all is well with you!

    Reply
  10. BArbara says

    Posted on 6/26 at 8:48 pm

    5 stars
    Wow! This was absolutely delicious! I served it with flour tortillas, lime crema made with yogurt, tomatoes, lettuce etc. Definitely a keeper!

    Reply
  11. Veronica says

    Posted on 6/12 at 7:01 am

    5 stars
    Delicious!! I was looking for a vegetarian taco filling and this was flavorful and so easy. This will be our go-to from now on.

    Reply
  12. Lizzie says

    Posted on 4/20 at 2:12 pm

    5 stars
    This is a great recipe that I often have the ingredients for! I’ve added Trader Joe’s soyrizo to the beans towards the end of cooking for some additional protein/flavor and have also topped with roasted potatoes.

    Reply
  13. Tiffany says

    Posted on 12/30 at 10:53 am

    5 stars
    This turned out super delicious! I added a bit of chorizo and used pickled jalapenos instead of fresh, because that’s what I had on hand. 😋

    Reply
  14. Suzanne says

    Posted on 10/7 at 9:37 am

    I love your recipes and have made many of them – (Yum Red Posole and your Calabacitas recipe is the best!) but here the instructions talk about adding tomatoes and they are not listed in the ingredients. I grew up eating bean tacos and will make these soon! Thanks for the inspiration.

    Reply
    • Isabel says

      Posted on 10/7 at 10:21 am

      Thanks for catching that mistake, Suzanne! There are no tomatoes in the recipe – just tomato paste. I’ve updated the recipe card and it should be good to go now! Also, thank you so much for your support. I’m so happy you’re enjoying my recipes!

      Reply

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A first-generation Mexican American who loves to cook! Here at Isabel Eats, you’ll find a mix of all your favorite authentic Mexican recipes with a twist!

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