Quiz Night Spiced Beef and Black Bean Tacos

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Flavorful ground beef tacos with smoky chipotle and black beans, perfect for a fun trivia night or casual dinner. This mexican-inspired tacos & burritos ready in about 30 minutes pairs ground beef, canned, drained and rinsed black beans, medium, finely chopped 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.

★ 4.1 (11 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Mexican cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and add 1 finely chopped onion. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent, then add 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 lb ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook for 6-8 minutes until browned and no longer pink.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 1 tbsp chipotle chili powder, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper, mixing well to coat the beef evenly.
  4. Step 4: Add 1 cup drained and rinsed black beans and cook for 3 more minutes until heated through and flavors meld.
  5. Step 5: Warm 8 corn tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until pliable. Spoon the beef and bean mixture evenly onto each tortilla.
  6. Step 6: Garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro and serve with lime wedges for squeezing over the top to brighten the flavors.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Quiz Night Spiced 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 Quiz Night 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 Quiz Night 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 Quiz Night 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 Quiz Night 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.

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