Half-portion Spiced Beef and Black Bean Tacos

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

Flavor-packed tacos made with half a pound of ground beef and black beans, seasoned with smoky spices and topped with fresh salsa. This mexican-inspired tacos & burritos ready in about 30 minutes pairs ground beef, canned, drained black beans, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 3, 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. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 3 Mexican cuisine 320 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Finely dice 1/2 medium onion, 1 medium tomato, 1 small jalapeño (seeds removed for less heat), and 1/4 small red onion. Combine these in a bowl with 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro and juice of 1/2 lime to make fresh salsa.
  2. Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sauté the diced onion for 3 minutes until translucent.
  3. Step 3: Add 1/2 lb ground beef, 1 tsp chili powder, 1/2 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, and 3/4 tsp salt to the skillet. Cook for 6-8 minutes, breaking up the beef, until browned.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 1/2 cup drained canned black beans and cook for another 2 minutes until heated through.
  5. Step 5: Warm 6 small corn tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat for 30 seconds per side until pliable.
  6. Step 6: Assemble tacos by spooning the beef and bean mixture onto each tortilla and topping with the fresh salsa.
  7. Step 7: Serve immediately with extra lime wedges for squeezing.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Half-portion Spiced Beef and Black Bean Tacos take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 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 Half-portion Spiced Beef and 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 ground beef from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Half-portion Spiced Beef and 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 Half-portion Spiced Beef and Black Bean Tacos for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 3 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 3). 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.

What goes well with Half-portion Spiced Beef and Black Bean Tacos?

Mexican tacos & burritos like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

Related recipes