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Budget Friendly · Vegetarian

Spicy Black Bean Tacos

A pantry-first dinner built around canned black beans, warmed corn tortillas, and a quick lime slaw — on the table in 20 minutes for a fraction of takeout.

This is exactly the kind of recipe RecipeHubb's pantry-aware shopping list was built for: canned black beans, pantry spices, and corn tortillas form the base, so the only fresh items you need are cabbage, lime, coriander, and avocado. It's proof that a budget-friendly dinner doesn't have to mean a boring one.

Double the spiced bean mixture and keep it in the fridge for quick lunches, burrito bowls, or a second taco night later in the week.

Ingredients

  • 2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp chilli powder
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1/4 cup vegetable stock
  • 8 small corn tortillas
  • 2 cups shredded cabbage
  • 1/4 cup coriander, chopped
  • 1 lime, juiced
  • 1/2 cup sour cream or dairy-free alternative
  • 1 avocado, sliced
  • Salt, to taste

Method

  1. Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the cumin, smoked paprika, chilli powder, and cayenne, and toast for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  2. Add the black beans and vegetable stock. Simmer for 8–10 minutes, mashing about a third of the beans with a fork to thicken the mixture.
  3. Season with salt to taste.
  4. While the beans simmer, toss the shredded cabbage with coriander and lime juice to make a quick slaw.
  5. Warm the corn tortillas in a dry pan or directly over a gas flame until lightly charred.
  6. Fill each tortilla with the spiced black beans, a spoonful of lime slaw, sliced avocado, and a dollop of sour cream.
  7. Serve immediately with extra lime wedges on the side.