North Texas-Style Tex-Mex Beef and Black Bean Tacos
Savory ground beef seasoned with Tex-Mex spices and black beans, served in warm corn tortillas topped with fresh cilantro and lime. This mexican-inspired tacos & burritos ready in about 30 minutes pairs ground beef, olive oil, medium, diced yellow onion 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
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 can (15 oz), drained and rinsed canned black beans
- 8 small corn tortillas
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro leaves
- 4 wedges lime wedges
- 1/2 cup (optional) shredded cheddar cheese
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 medium diced yellow onion and sauté for 4 minutes until softened. Add 3 cloves minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook for 6-7 minutes until browned and no longer pink.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tbsp chili powder, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Mix well and cook for another 2 minutes to toast the spices.
- Step 4: Add 1 can (15 oz) drained and rinsed black beans to the beef mixture and stir to combine. Cook for 3-4 minutes until heated through and slightly thickened.
- Step 5: Warm 8 small corn tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat for 30 seconds each side until pliable.
- Step 6: Spoon the beef and black bean filling evenly into the tortillas. Top with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro and 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese if using.
- Step 7: Serve immediately with 4 lime wedges for squeezing over the tacos.
Frequently asked questions
How long does North Texas-Style Tex-Mex Beef and Black Bean Tacos take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 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 North Texas-Style Tex-Mex 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 North Texas-Style Tex-Mex 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 North Texas-Style Tex-Mex 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 North Texas-Style Tex-Mex 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.
