Arcade-Style Spicy Black Bean Tacos

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tacos packed with smoky chipotle black beans and crunchy slaw, bringing a playful twist to a quick vegetarian street food favorite. This mexican-inspired tacos & burritos (vegetarian) ready in about 20 minutes pairs cooked or canned, drained black beans, minced chipotle in adobo sauce, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 250 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.

★ 4.5 (14 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Mexican cuisine 250 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 2 cups drained black beans, 1 tbsp minced chipotle in adobo sauce, and 1 tsp ground cumin. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until beans are heated through and slightly mashed.
  2. Step 2: In a bowl, combine 1 cup shredded red cabbage, 1 shredded medium carrot, 2 tbsp lime juice, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, and 1/2 tsp salt. Toss well to create a fresh slaw.
  3. Step 3: Warm 8 small corn tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat for 30 seconds per side until pliable.
  4. Step 4: Spoon the spicy black bean mixture evenly onto each tortilla, then top with a generous amount of the cabbage-carrot slaw.
  5. Step 5: Finish each taco with a dollop of 1/4 cup sour cream divided among the tacos before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Arcade-Style Spicy Black Bean Tacos take to make?

Total time is about 20 minutes (10 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Arcade-Style Spicy Black Bean Tacos?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Arcade-Style Spicy Black Bean Tacos?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Arcade-Style Spicy Black Bean Tacos for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Arcade-Style Spicy Black Bean Tacos vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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