10-Minute Black Bean Tacos

Updated: Apr 22nd, 2021 · By Bethany Kramer
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These crunchy black bean tacos are super fast to make and a delicious plant-based dinner! You’ll only need 10 minutes for cooking and 7 simple ingredients to make it all happen.

a group of black bean tacos on plate with condiments.

We’ve been really enjoying these tacos over the last few weeks. They’ve got crunchy taco shell, garlic-y black beans, and then are topped with layers of flavor from salsa, cilantro, to red onions. We love how tasty and FAST they are to make! 

You only need about 5 minutes to prepare the ingredients and under 10 minutes for everything to cook! It’s the BEST kind of weeknight meal. 

Ingredients Needed

You’ll only need a handful of ingredients to make these tacos happen: black beans, hardshell taco shells, salsa, cilantro, avocado, red onion, garlic powder, and salt. 

Ingredients for black bean tacos arranged on wooden background.

How to Make Black Bean Tacos

Preheat your oven to 425F (or whatever temperature your hardshell tortillas require).

Simmer black beans in a pan on LOW heat with garlic powder and salt. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring often.

black beans cooking in stainless steel pan with spoon mixing.

Towards the end of the black beans cook-time, pop the tortillas in the oven for 3 minutes. Then assemble tacos with black beans and toppings and serve!

hardshell tortillas on a baking sheet pan.

Serving Suggestions

Complete your meal by serving up either a simple side salad or rice/quinoa. You can add a squeeze of fresh lime juice and chopped cilantro to cooked rice or quinoa for extra flavor. We also enjoying serving roasted sweet potatoes on the side too!

Extra Recipe Tips

Types of tortillas: I recommend using hardshell tortillas because of their flavor and texture! You can of course use soft flour tortillas as well.

Bake shell tortillas: you have to bake your hardshell tortillas before you serve them, otherwise they will not be cooked and taste semi-stale (no thanks!).

Cooked black beans vs uncooked: when using canned beans, I really recommend cooking the black beans with salt and garlic powder for several minutes. It will enhance flavor and give the perfect texture. Uncooked beans will taste a bit bland and not develop much flavor without cooking!

Add spice: if you want to elevate the flavor a little more, add a splash of your favorite hot sauce. We love these tacos with this specific brand!

a group of black bean tacos on plate with condiments.

Whether you’re into veggies or love a good meat taco, I think you will be a fan of these crunchy tacos.

And if you like a zing of spice, Drew and I love adding a touch of hot sauce for an extra pop of flavor!

Enjoy, friends!

Recipes for Taco Lovers

Love tacos as much as we do? You may also be a fan of these recipes.

10-Minute Black Bean Tacos

5 from 1 vote
These crunchy hardshell black bean tacos are super fast to make and a delicious plant-based dinner! You'll only need 10 minutes for cooking and 7 simple ingredients to make it all happen.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Serves 6 tacos

Ingredients

Toppings

  • 1 avocado, pitted and thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced (see notes for pickled onion recipe)
  • 1/3 cup salsa
  • cilantro leaves, chopped
  • hot sauce *optional

Instructions

  • Set oven: first, preheat oven to 425F.
  • Cook black beans: Simmer black beans in sauce pan on LOW heat with garlic powder and salt. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring often.
  • Bake taco shells: arrange taco shells on sheet pan and bake for 3 minutes (or as box instructs).
  • Assemble tacos: fill taco shells with cooked black beans, salsa, avocado slices, sliced red onion, and cilantro. Enjoy!

Notes

Pickled onion recipe
A great way to add flavor is pickling your red onions instead of serving raw. It’s easy to do and is one of my favorite taco toppings! 
1/2 red onion
1 cup white distilled vinegar
2 teaspoons coconut sugar 
pinch of salt
Let marinate in a jar or glass storage bowl for 30+ minutes in fridge. Store up to 5-7 days in airtight jar or container in refrigerator. 
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, Mexican
Keyword black bean tacos, vegan black bean tacos, vegetarian tacos
Freezer Friendly No
Author Bethany Kramer

Nutrition

Calories: 162kcal | Carbohydrates: 25.9g | Protein: 6.3g | Fat: 4.5g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 442.1mg | Sugar: 1.1g

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4 Comments

  • Mary says:

    Can you pickle yellow or white onions instead of red for this recipe?

    • Bethany Kramer says:

      Hi Mary, I’ve never pickled yellow or white onions so I don’t know the result! I typically do red because they are sweeter. But maybe sweet yellow onion?

  • Albertina says:

    5 stars
    Wow! I made these and I didn’t know that it would have such an amazing flavor!