Half-Spiced Beef and Black Bean Tacos
Soft corn tortillas filled with a spiced mixture of half-ground beef and half-black beans, topped with fresh pico de gallo and creamy avocado. This mexican-inspired tacos & burritos ready in about 30 minutes pairs ground beef, olive oil, onion diced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 8 oz ground beef
- 8 oz (1/2 can) canned black beans drained and rinsed
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 8 tortillas corn tortillas
- 1 cup pico de gallo
- 1 medium avocado sliced
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro chopped
- 4 wedges lime wedges
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1/2 cup diced onion and 2 minced garlic cloves, sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 8 oz ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook for 5-6 minutes until browned and no longer pink.
- Step 3: Stir in 8 oz drained and rinsed black beans, 1 tbsp chili powder, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Cook together for 4-5 minutes until heated through and spices are well blended.
- Step 4: Warm 8 corn tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until pliable.
- Step 5: Spoon the beef and black bean mixture evenly onto each tortilla. Top with 1 cup fresh pico de gallo, slices from 1 medium avocado, and sprinkle with 2 tbsp chopped cilantro.
- Step 6: Serve immediately with lime wedges for squeezing over the tacos.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Half-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-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-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-Spiced Beef and 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.
What goes well with Half-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.
