Taco night in my house used to be chaos but now with three teenagers it is full-on survival mode. Everyone is hungry, everyone wants something different, and I still have to make something quick, easy, and actually filling. That is when I started making black bean tacos and it changed dinner life. These are one of my favorite bean dinner recipes main dishes because they are simple, fast, and taste like a little fiesta in your mouth.

I have tried a lot of bean recipes over the years but this one is hands down the best black beans recipe I make. It is perfect for black bean dinner nights or when I need black bean dinner recipes that are easy, cheap, and my teens will actually eat. These black bean meals are so versatile you can make them for lunch, dinner, or even a snack. Learning how to make black beans taste this good was a total game changer.

This is one of my favorite black bean recipes easy to throw together, and it is proof that cooking black beans does not have to be complicated. If you are looking for easy bean recipes or just a tasty way to enjoy meals with black beans, this one will make your whole family happy. I love it because it is filling, healthy, and the teens even ask for seconds which is rare.

Ingredients

• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon chili powder (more if you like a little heat)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 6 small taco shells or tortillas
• Toppings (your choice): shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, avocado slices, shredded cheese, salsa, sour cream

Extra little tip: I usually let the kids pick their own toppings. It keeps them busy and makes them actually eat their veggies.

Step by Step Instructions

Step 1: Heat the Beans

Put a skillet on medium heat and pour in the olive oil. Add your black beans and sprinkle on the cumin, paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Stir it all around for 2-3 minutes until the beans are warm and smell amazing.

Step 2: Mash a Few Beans

Take the back of a spoon and mash a few beans lightly. I like doing this because it makes the tacos creamy but still chunky. My kids do not even notice when I sneak extra spices in this step.

Step 3: Warm the Taco Shells

While beans are cooking, put your taco shells in the oven for a few minutes or zap them in the microwave. Nothing worse than a cold taco shell.

Step 4: Assemble the Tacos

Spoon the beans into each shell. Let the kids go wild with toppings. I usually pile on lettuce, tomato, avocado, a little cheese, and sometimes a tiny bit of sour cream. My youngest loves adding salsa like it is paint.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Serve immediately. Sometimes I make a little side of chips or fruit for the kids. We sit down together, eat quickly before someone spills something, and enjoy. Black bean tacos are always a hit and I feel like a taco hero without the stress of cooking a ton of meat.

Meal Prep Tips

These little tips help me get dinner ready faster and save my brain from melting at 5 pm.

• Make a big batch of black beans on Sunday and keep them in the fridge for quick meals all week
• Chop toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, and onions ahead of time and keep them in small containers
• Warm the taco shells all at once and store them in a clean towel to keep them soft until serving
• Mix the spices in a tiny jar early in the week so you just shake and add when cooking
• Let teens assemble their own tacos to save time and give them something to do besides arguing

Storage Tips

These help when I make too much or when I want leftovers for the next day.

• Store cooked black beans in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days
• Freeze extra beans in small bags so you can thaw only what you need
• Keep toppings in separate containers to keep them from getting soggy
• Place leftover taco shells in a sealed bag to keep them from drying out
• Reheat the beans in a pan with a splash of water to bring back moisture

FAQs

Black Bean Tacos Recipe Card

Black Bean Tacos

These black bean tacos are fast, cheap, and super easy for busy nights. My three teens love them and they taste like a little taco party without a lot of work. Great for anyone who wants easy bean recipes or quick black bean meals.

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Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Author: Fareeha

Ingredients

• 1 can black beans , drained and rinsed
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 half teaspoon cumin
• 1 half teaspoon paprika
• 1 fourth teaspoon chili powder
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste
• 6 small taco shells or tortillas
• Shredded lettuce
• Diced tomatoes
• Sliced avocado
• Shredded cheese
• Salsa
• Sour cream

Instructions

• Warm olive oil in a skillet on medium heat. Add the black beans and sprinkle in cumin, paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Stir for a few minutes.
• Use the back of a spoon to mash a few beans lightly. This makes the tacos creamy but still chunky.
• Heat the shells in the oven or microwave until they feel soft and warm.
• Spoon the beans into each shell. Add lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, cheese, salsa, or whatever your family likes.
• Serve right away while the beans are warm and the shells are soft.

Notes

Tips

• Make a big batch of beans ahead of time for fast meals all week
• Let teens build their own tacos to keep dinner fun
• Add extra chili powder if you want more heat
• Keep toppings chopped in small containers for quick taco nights

Variations

• Add corn or diced bell peppers to the beans
• Use whole wheat tortillas for a healthier twist
• Add rice to make the tacos extra filling
• Make a taco bowl by skipping the shells and adding everything over lettuce

Making these black bean tacos always makes dinner feel a little easier in my house. My teens come to the table fast when they smell them cooking and I feel like I finally made something everyone likes. It is one of my go to bean dinner recipes main dishes because it is simple and still tastes amazing. I have tried many bean recipes but this one feels like the best black beans recipe for our busy nights.

These tacos are great for any black bean dinner and they fit right in with my other black bean dinner recipes that my family likes. They are filling and fun and they make black bean meals feel exciting instead of plain. I like that this is one of my black bean recipes easy enough that my teens help me with it sometimes.

Cooking black beans does not have to feel hard. Once you learn how to make black beans taste good with a few simple spices, you can create many easy bean recipes without stress. These tacos are one of my favorite meals with black beans and I love that I can make them fast after long days. Meals with black beans always help keep everyone full and happy and that is all I want at the end of the day.

If you try these tacos, I hope your family loves them the same way mine does.