Vegan Black Bean Tacos

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These healthy and delicious vegan black bean tacos are great for an easy weeknight meal. Packed with beans, veggies, spices, and toppings of your choice, they’re full of flavor, ready in 30 minutes, and perfect for the whole family!

We eat Mexican food every week in our house. In addition to the bright and spicy flavors that vegetarian Mexican food brings, it’s also super vegan and vegetarian-friendly.

These vegan balck bean tacos are fresh and fun to eat. You can literally make them with any of your favorite toppings and can get them on the table in less than an hour. They’re also naturally gluten-free and kid-friendly too! My kids love creating their own tacos, so oftentimes, I’ll leave the toppings out for them to assemble.

The black beans provide an excellent vegan-friendly protein source, avocados have healthy fats, and all of the veggies pack a ton of vitamins and nutrients!

No meat tacos don’t lack in health, nutrients, or satisfaction! Everyone will love these tacos – and they’re great for feeding a crowd too. Make them for your next Meatless Monday, Taco Tuesday or taco night with friends!

👩🏽‍🍳 Why You’ll Love Vegan Black Bean Tacos

• Easy To Make: With just a little bit of chopping, you’ll have easy vegetarian black bean tacos! Plant-based recipes don’t get much easier!
• Super Flavorful: These delicious tacos are packed with flavor, and can be customized in a variety of ways too! See our suggestions below for all of the different ways you can change up this recipe.
• High In Plant Protein: Black Beans are a great protein source! In each serving, there are 12 grams of protein. Protein helps keep you fuller longer and your blood sugar stable. Black beans also contain iron, calcium, B vitamins, and magnesium. They really are the best vegan tacos!
• Healthy: The vegetables and beans are a wonderful source of antioxidants and vitamins in this recipe.
• High In Fiber: Each serving of this recipe provides 14 grams of fiber — over 40% of your daily fiber needs! Fiber aids in digestion and is heart-healthy. 
• Kid-Friendly: Kids love these tacos! If your kids don’t enjoy a smoky flavor, I recommend switching the fire-roasted tomatoes to regular crushed/diced tomatoes. The best thing about tacos is that it is simple to switch out certain ingredients and add other veggies your kids love instead. You can also create a “toppings bar” for your kids to make their own tacos!

🥘 Ingredients For Vegan Tacos With Black Beans

These simple ingredients are all you need to make this easy black bean taco recipe!

• Olive Oil: Olive oil is used to cook the ingredients for the black bean filling. You can also use any other neutrally flavored oil like avocado oil, coconut oil, or vegetable oil, but I like the healthy fats that olive oil provides. 
• Soft Corn Tortillas: These naturally gluten-free tortillas have the best flavor to complement the filling. 
• Red Onion & Bell Pepper: Diced red onions add a sharp, distinctive flavor to the vegan avocado tacos. Subtly sweet bell peppers add color and crunch. 
• Black Beans: Packed full of plant-based protein, these hearty beans are the star of the show in this taco. Using canned black beans makes prep time quicker, but you can use dried beans, too. Whole or refried black beans are fine!
• Diced & Fire-Roasted Tomatoes: These tomatoes add a smoky flavor and just a touch of acidity that pairs well with the other ingredients. 
• Garlic: Fresh garlic cloves impart a pleasantly pungent flavor to the black bean filling. Garlic powder can be used, too, for an extra easy recipe.
• Salt: A pinch of salt enhances the flavors of the seasonings and veggies.
• Taco Seasoning: This blend of spices has all of the flavors associated with Mexican cuisine.
• Frozen Corn: Sweet and slightly crunchy, this ingredient adds both flavor and texture.
• Avocado: Just a swipe of mashed avocado in the taco shell creates a layer of smooth creaminess. 
• Chopped Cilantro: This herb adds a bright, zesty flavor for this vegetarian tacos recipe!

🍲 Ingredient Substitutions

• Oil: For an oil substitute, saute the veggies in vegetable broth or vegetable stock.
• Tortillas: Use a soft tortilla rather than a crunchy shell for less calories and fat.
• Cilantro: If you don’t have fresh cilantro (or don’t like it), try shredded lettuce or fresh parsley instead.
• Onion: Use a different variety of onion if you prefer – white onion, sweet onion, or even green onions. Onion powder can be used for additional flavor, but I do not recommend this as a replacement for the real thing.
• Beans: If you’re looking for a bean with a similar texture to black beans, your best bet is to use pinto beans instead. ​​Lentils are a good substitute for the beans in these tacos, as well.
• Avocado: While it doesn’t take much time to mash an avocado, you can always use store-bought guacamole instead for these avocado black bean tacos.

🔪 How To Make Vegan Black Bean Tacos

Here’s how to make this easy vegan black bean tacos recipe. For more detailed instructions and nutrition facts, see the recipe card below.

Prepare Tortillas: Warm corn tortillas in the oven on a baking sheet or dry skillet for 2-3 minutes. If microwaving, place a damp paper towel underneath and over top of the tortillas to keep them moist. Microwave for ​​15-30 seconds. Chop all your veggies/toppings. 

Make The Black Bean Taco Filling: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 2 tsp olive oil and saute the onion, black beans, peppers, tomatoes, corn, garlic, salt, and taco seasoning until heated through – about 10 minutes.

Prep Avocado: While the black bean filling is cooking, prepare the rest of the ingredients. Mash your avocado and add salt & lime juice to taste.

Assemble Tacos: Start with your warmed tortillas, add the bean mixture, and top the vegetarian tacos with mashed avocado/guac and cilantro.

💭 Expert Tips

• Get creative. You can always use your favorite on these plant-based tacos, but you can also top them with your favorite Mexican sides. Or try something new like green cabbage, a cilantro sauce, quick pickled onions, or anything else you might like to experiment with.
• Use homemade seasoning. Try making your own homemade taco seasoning using this Old El Paso taco seasoning recipe – it’s cheaper and more flavorful than store-bought!
• Adjust the smokiness. If you don’t like a smoky flavor, switch out the fire-roasted tomatoes with regular diced tomatoes. If you enjoy smoke and spice, feel free to add more of the tomatoes and peppers as well.
• Build the taco with purpose. Add the bean mixture to the bottom of the taco to hold the other ingredients.
• Increase the vegetables. Too much filling? Never! For more roasted veggies, add in 6oz chopped baby spinach to the black bean mixture.
• Make it your own. Make sure to adjust the salt and spices to taste. If you like your tacos super spicy, feel free to add some cayenne pepper to the black bean mixture! Whatever flavors you prefer for vegetarian bean tacos can easily be accommodating in this recipe.

📖 Variations

Tacos are so versatile – you can literally add anything you like to them! Here are some of my favorite variations and toppings for vegan taco recipes:

• Different Veggies: Roasted cauliflower, carrots, squash, zucchini, or sweet potatoes would all work well in these tacos. If you’ve never tried vegan sweet potato black bean tacos, I definitely recommend it!
• Meaty Alternatives: Try making some black bean taco meat by crumbling tofu and sautéing it with taco seasoning or chili powder. Alternatively, use a food processor to crumble up walnut or mushroom meat. Not vegan? Go for some ground beef!
• More Toppings: Add pico de gallo or smoky red pepper crema (with vegan modifications) as one of your toppings in addition to salsa, or add some more fresh ingredients like shredded romaine lettuce and other fresh herbs. You can also top the tacos with vegan cheese or vegan sour cream or add your own favorite taco toppings. 
• Try Different Salsas: Try these healthy black bean tacos with your favorite salsa, like mango salsa, tomatillo salsa, pineapple pico de gallo, or even a tahini.
• Add Heat: Use cayenne pepper powder or a few dashes of hot sauce to heat it up in this vegan bean tacos recipe.
• Cheese: If you’re looking to make vegetarian black bean tacos (instead of vegan), try adding queso fresco or cheddar cheese as part of your veggie taco filling.
• Tortilla Alternatives. If you are looking for another alternative to the tortillas, I recommend looking for chickpea tortillas or a whole grain tortilla. There are options out there! Plus, you can make these as black bean soft tacos with flour tortillas (if you are not gluten-free).
• Crunchy Black Bean Tacos: Make crispy black bean tacos by frying your corn tortillas in oil on the stovetop. You can also place the assembled taco into the air fryer for a few minutes.

🍽 Serving Suggestions 

There are lots of great sides that you can serve with these easy black bean tacos. A personal favorite? Topped with a drizzle of cilantro lime sauce!

• Salads: Mexican fruit salad, or even a simple green salad, goes well with these black bean vegan tacos.
• Soups: I love to serve either Mexican bean soup or spicy Mexican corn soup alongside these tasty tacos. 
• Vegetables: Vegetarian stuffed poblano peppers are a fun side to try, or roast any veggies that you like. Grilled or roasted bell peppers or squash pair perfectly. 
• Starches: Try serving fried potatoes and onions or corn fries with this vegetable taco recipe.

🙌 Dietary Adaptations

These tacos are naturally gluten free thanks to the corn tortillas (vs. flour tortillas which are not gluten free). You can also try almond flour tortillas, chickpea tortillas, or cassava flour tortillas for a different gluten free tortilla option. For other dietary needs, see below:

Low-Carb Option: To lighten things up with these veggie black bean tacos make a taco salad instead! Serve the vegan bean taco filling over greens instead of in taco shells. Alternatively, you can use low-carb tortillas. 

🫙 Storage Directions

• To Store: I recommend storing the ingredients in small separate containers – keeping the leftover black beans, tortillas, and avocado all separate. The tortilla will become soggy if you make a taco and store it all together. Warm the tortillas the next time you make these delicious vegan tacos, add the stored ingredients, and add fresh avocado (avocado won’t keep well so only chop up as much as you’re going to use that day).
• To Freeze: To freeze the tacos and keep their good quality, I’d recommend freezing the filling and the tortillas separately. You can also assemble the tacos first and then freeze them, but I’d rather go with the first option, in an airtight container. The avocado and cilantro I don’t recommend freezing – you should add that fresh.

❓Recipe FAQs

🌮 More Healthy Mexican Recipes!

• Mexican Vegetarian Flautas
• Healthy Black Bean Quesadillas
• Pinto Bean Casserole
• Vegetarian Fajita Bowl
• Vegan Chorizo
• Vegan Taquitos
• Potato Tacos
• Black Bean Fajitas
• Vegan Empanadas
• Vegan Crunchwrap Supreme

📋 Recipe Card