Vegan Tacos with Black Beans and Avocado

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These healthy and delicious vegan tacos are great for an easy weeknight meal. Packed with black beans, veggies, and spices, 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 Mexican food brings, it’s also super vegan and vegetarian friendly.

These tacos are fresh and fun to eat. You can literally make them with any toppings you like, 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! Nutritious & delicious – perfect for feeding a crowd.

Tools and Equipment You’ll Need

• Large NonStick Skillet  
• Chopping Knife
• Cutting Board

Ingredients for Vegan Tacos

How to make Vegan Tacos – Step by Step

Step 1: Warm corn tortillas in the oven or microwave and chop all your veggies/toppings.

Step 2: Heat a pan over medium-high 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.

Step 3: While the bean mixture is cooking, mash your avocado and add salt & lime juice to taste.

Step 4: Assemble your tacos! Start with your tortilla, add the bean mixture, top with mashed avocado/guac and cilantro.

What Makes These Vegan Tacos Healthy?

• High in Plant Protein: Black Beans are a great protein source! In each serving, there’s 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.
• Phytonutrients: The vegetables and beans add a wonderful source of phytonutrients to this recipe. Phytonutrients are full of antioxidants and reduce inflammation.
• 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.

Will Kids Enjoy These Vegan Black Bean Tacos?

Yes! 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!

How Do I Store These Tacos as Leftovers?

• To Store: I recommend storing the ingredients in small separate containers – keeping the tortillas, filling, 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 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. The avocado and cilantro I don’t recommend freezing – you should add that fresh.

Which tortillas are best for tacos?

I really enjoy using corn tortillas for tacos because they have great flavor and are naturally gluten free. You can also use a flour tortilla for tacos (which tend to be softer than corn) – and if you do I recommend using a whole wheat or sprouted wheat flour tortilla for added fiber and whole grains. You can also try a corn + wheat flour tortilla for the best of both worlds!

Are vegan tacos gluten-free?

Yes! These tacos are naturally gluten free thanks to the corn tortillas (vs. flour tortillas which are not gluten free). You can also try chickpea or cassava flour tortillas for a different gluten free tortilla!

Vegan Tacos 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:

• Change up the veggies! Roasted cauliflower, carrots, squash, zucchini or sweet potatoes would all work well in these tacos.
• Try making some vegan taco “meat” by crumbling tofu and sautéing it with taco seasoning or chili powder
• Try using refried black or pinto beans instead of whole beans
• Add pico de gallo or smoky red pepper crema (with vegan modifications) as one of your toppings in addition to salsa
• Add some more fresh ingredients like shredded romaine lettuce and other fresh herbs
• Try different salsas like: mango salsa, tomatillo salsa, pineapple salsa, or even a tahini sauce instead of salsa!

Top tips for making Vegan Tacos

• Use a soft tortilla rather than a crunchy shell for less calories and fat.
• Top with your favorite Mexican sides!
• Try making your own homemade taco seasoning using this Old El Paso taco seasoning recipe – it’s cheaper and more flavorful than store bought!
• 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.
• 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! 
• Add the bean mixture to the bottom of the taco to hold the other ingredients
• For more veggies, add in 6oz chopped baby spinach to the black bean mixture
• 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!
• If you don’t have cilantro (or don’t like it), try shredded lettuce or fresh parsley instead

Try these other healthy black bean recipes!

• Healthy Vegetarian Black Bean Flautas
• Budget-Friendly Black Bean Burgers
• Healthy Black Bean Quesadillas
• Southwestern Tofu Scramble with Black Beans
• Black Bean Chili by Forks Over Knives
• Easy Black Bean Soup by Veggie Inspired

If you have tried this vegan taco recipe, or any other recipe on my blog, then please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to see more delicious, healthy, family friendly food!