Grilled Chipotle Black Bean Tacos with Avocado Crema

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Smoky chipotle-seasoned black beans grilled to perfection, served in warm tortillas with a cooling avocado crema for a vibrant Mexican taco night. This mexican-inspired tacos & burritos (vegetarian) ready in about 20 minutes turns cooked black beans, chipotle chili powder, ground cumin into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 310 calories and feeds 4, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Mexican cuisine 310 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, toss 2 cups cooked black beans with 1 tsp chipotle chili powder, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 2 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp olive oil, and 1/2 tsp salt until evenly coated.
  2. Step 2: Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Place the seasoned black beans on a grill-safe pan or foil and grill for 5 minutes, stirring once halfway, until beans are smoky and slightly charred.
  3. Step 3: Meanwhile, in a blender, combine 1 ripe avocado, 1/3 cup sour cream, 1 tbsp fresh lime juice, and a pinch of salt. Blend until smooth to make the avocado crema.
  4. Step 4: Warm 8 corn tortillas on the grill for 30 seconds per side until pliable and slightly charred.
  5. Step 5: Assemble tacos by spooning the grilled chipotle black beans onto each tortilla, drizzling with avocado crema, and garnishing with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Chipotle Black Bean Tacos with Avocado Crema 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 Grilled Chipotle Black Bean Tacos with Avocado Crema?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.

Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Chipotle Black Bean Tacos with Avocado Crema?

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 Grilled Chipotle Black Bean Tacos with Avocado Crema 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 Grilled Chipotle Black Bean Tacos with Avocado Crema 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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