Northside-Inspired Black Bean and Corn Street Tacos
Flavorful vegan street tacos filled with smoky black beans and sweet corn, a nod to vibrant neighborhood street food with fresh toppings and warm tortillas. This mexican-inspired vegan (vegan) ready in about 20 minutes pairs (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed, corn kernels, fresh or frozen, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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.
Ingredients
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn kernels, fresh or frozen
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 8 small corn tortillas
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- for serving lime wedges
- 1 medium avocado, sliced
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat until shimmering, about 1 minute.
- Step 2: Add 1 cup corn kernels and sauté for 3-4 minutes until slightly charred and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 can (15 oz) drained and rinsed black beans, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper; cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until heated through and flavors meld.
- Step 4: Warm 8 small corn tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat for 30 seconds per side until pliable and lightly toasted.
- Step 5: Assemble tacos by spooning the black bean and corn mixture evenly onto each tortilla, topping with 1/4 cup finely diced red onion, 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, and slices of 1 medium avocado.
- Step 6: Serve immediately with lime wedges for squeezing over the tacos to add brightness.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Northside-Inspired Black Bean and Corn Street 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 Northside-Inspired Black Bean and Corn Street 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 corn kernels, fresh or frozen from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Northside-Inspired Black Bean and Corn Street 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 Northside-Inspired Black Bean and Corn Street 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 Northside-Inspired Black Bean and Corn Street Tacos vegan?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Perfect vegan street taco experience. The corn adds such a nice crunch.
- ★★★★★
Loved it! My family devoured these tacos and asked for seconds.
- ★★★★☆
Great flavor, but the beans were a bit bland. Still, my kids loved them.