Spicy Black Bean Tacos with Avocado Crema
These tacos use half the usual beans and spices for a lighter but flavor-packed Mexican street food experience topped with cool avocado crema. This mexican-inspired tacos & burritos (vegetarian) ready in about 15 minutes pairs canned, drained and rinsed black beans, olive oil, chili powder for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 2, 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 cup canned, drained and rinsed black beans
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 4 small corn tortillas
- 1/2 ripe avocado
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp chopped cilantro leaves
- 2 tbsp finely diced red onion
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 1 cup black beans, 1 tsp chili powder, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, and 1/4 tsp garlic powder, stirring and cooking for 4 minutes until heated through and slightly softened.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, mash 1/2 avocado with 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt, 1 tbsp lime juice, and 1/4 tsp salt until creamy and smooth to make the avocado crema.
- Step 3: Warm 4 corn tortillas in a dry skillet for 30 seconds each side until pliable.
- Step 4: Divide the spiced black beans evenly over the tortillas, then drizzle with the avocado crema. Top with 2 tbsp chopped cilantro and 2 tbsp finely diced red onion before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spicy Black Bean Tacos with Avocado Crema take to make?
Total time is about 15 minutes (10 min prep + 5 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 Spicy Black Bean Tacos with Avocado Crema?
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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Black Bean Tacos with Avocado Crema?
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 Spicy Black Bean Tacos with Avocado Crema for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Spicy Black Bean Tacos with Avocado Crema vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
