Tex-Mex Beef and Black Bean Tacos with Spiced Avocado Crema
Soft corn tortillas filled with seasoned ground beef and black beans, topped with a cooling spiced avocado crema for a flavorful regional twist. This mexican ready in about 35 minutes pairs ground beef (80% lean), medium, diced yellow onion, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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 (80% lean)
- 1 cup black beans (canned, drained and rinsed)
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 8 small corn tortillas
- 1 medium, peeled and pitted avocado
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 1/4 tsp ground chipotle pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 medium diced yellow onion and 3 cloves minced garlic, sauté for 4-5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook for 6-7 minutes until browned and no longer pink.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp kosher salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Cook for 1 minute to toast the spices.
- Step 4: Add 1 cup drained and rinsed black beans, stirring to combine. Cook for 3 minutes until heated through.
- Step 5: Meanwhile, prepare the spiced avocado crema by blending 1 medium peeled and pitted avocado, 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt, 2 tbsp lime juice, 1/4 tsp ground chipotle pepper, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro until smooth and creamy.
- Step 6: Warm 8 small corn tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat for 30 seconds per side until pliable.
- Step 7: Assemble the tacos by spooning the beef and black bean mixture into each tortilla and topping with 2 tbsp of the spiced avocado crema.
- Step 8: Serve immediately with extra lime wedges if desired.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Tex-Mex Beef and Black Bean Tacos with Spiced Avocado Crema take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (15 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 Tex-Mex Beef and Black Bean Tacos with Spiced 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 ground beef (80% lean) from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Tex-Mex Beef and Black Bean Tacos with Spiced 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 Tex-Mex Beef and Black Bean Tacos with Spiced Avocado Crema 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 Tex-Mex Beef and Black Bean Tacos with Spiced Avocado Crema?
Mexican mexican 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.
