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    Home » Recipe Index » Vegetarian Dishes

    Refried Bean Tacos

    January 9, 2022 Updated August 29, 2023 By Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN, CD 30 Minute Meals, Cooking for One, Easy Recipes, One Pot/One Pan Meals, Pantry Dinners, Recipe Index, Vegetarian Dishes

    Jump to Recipe
    close up of refried beans, red cabbage, and cilantro taco

    These refried bean tacos are hands down the easiest and most delicious 10 minute dinner. All you need to do is gather a few essentials like refried beans, taco seasoning, veggies, cheese and salsa. The topping options are endless!

    close up of refried beans, red cabbage, and cilantro taco

    [This recipe was originally posted in February 2017. It has been updated with new cooking instructions, expert tips, FAQ, related recipes, video and ways to repurpose/use up ingredients]

    Table of contents

    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Substitutions/Tips
    • FAQ
    • Other great taco recipes
    • What to do with leftover ingredients

    Tacos, just like these refried bean tacos (can) make a super easy dinner. Use up leftover protein, veggies, and whatever else you have on hand. Buy pre chopped veggies, and precooked meat OR canned beans for super speedy assembly.

    For example, make up this Instant Pot pulled pork to throw in a taco + so many other dishes, make easy & freezable breakfast tacos, or switch up your taco game with these easy fish tacos with white sauce & orange salsa.

    Ingredients

    Scroll down to the refried bean tacos recipe card for the amounts of each ingredient, but here's a quick visual + description of what's in this recipe.

    ingredients for black bean tacos on a table
    • Refried Beans: Either keep a can(s) or frozen refried beans or pinto beans on hand. You can smash the beans to make it easier to eat in taco form.
    • Taco Seasoning: It's such an easy flavor add-er. Instead of adding a few different spices, keep some taco seasoning on hand for quick additions.
    • Shredded Cheese: I like to melt shredded cheddar cheese on the beans, but use your favorite/what you have on hand, if you want to add cheese to your refried bean tacos.
    • Tortilla: Use your favorite taco sized tortillas. I personally prefer flour over corn, but use what you have/enjoy the most.
    • Cabbage/Vegetable: Crunchy cabbage is my favorite taco veggie topper, but add anything you have on hand. This recipe is a great way to use up random small amounts of ingredients (pickled onions, carrots, zucchini, etc)
    • Salsa: Keep your favorite salsa on hand-it is such an easy flavor add-er for tacos. I like to freeze my mom's salsa recipe in an ice cube tray and save in a bag. That way I don't have to thaw a whole jar of salsa for one meal.

    Instructions

    Scroll down to the recipe card for more detailed instructions. Here's a quick overview + photos to see how to make this recipe in general.

    bowl of refried beans with cheese on top

    1.Mix together refried beans and taco seasoning in a bowl. Top refried bean mixture with shredded cheese. Place the bowl in the microwave and cook, 30 seconds at a time, until cheese is melted.

    refried beans on a tortilla

    2. Spread out about ¼ cup of bean and cheese mixture per tortilla. 2-3 tortillas should be good for one serving. Top with salsa, cabbage/vegetables, and top with fresh cilantro if you have some.

    This is just the base for your tacos.

    flour tortilla with refried beans, cabbage, and cilantro on top

    3. You can add any other toppings that you have on hand like rice, sliced peppers, tomatoes, pickled onions, avocado or guacamole, or another sauce.

    The topping options for delicious refried bean tacos are endless, just use what you have on hand.

    Storage/Reheating Tips

    Store leftover refried bean taco ingredients, separately in the fridge. Store beans in an airtight container. They should all last about a week in the fridge. To reheat, reheat beans and cheese in the microwave.

    Substitutions/Tips

    • Use flour or corn tortillas, whichever you have/like.
    • Add leftover beans from this Pinto Bean and Rice Bowl. You can smash them with a fork before adding so they don't fall out.
    • Use whatever vegetables you have on hand, cabbage, onions, bell peppers, tomatoes, zucchini, romaine lettuce, radishes are a few examples.
    • You don't need to use the exact amounts of each ingredient in this recipe, just add spoonfuls to your taco.
    • Swap the cheese for vegan cheese, or omit for vegan tacos.
    • Other great add-ins: rice, sliced peppers, tomatoes, pickled onions, sour cream, avocado or guacamole.
    • Serve with chips and salsa or a salad if you'd like more food.

    FAQ

    Do refried beans go in tacos?

    Refried beans are easier to eat than regular beans in tacos. They don't fall out, that's what makes these tacos so easy to make and eat!

    What is a good idea for veggie tacos?

    I recommend including beans in your veggie tacos, and then add whatever vegetables you have on hand, cabbage, onions, bell peppers, tomatoes, zucchini, radishes are a few examples.

    two tacos with red cabbage and cilantro on a plate

    Other great taco recipes

    • Fish Tacos with White Sauce and Orange Salsa
    • Breakfast Tacos

    What to do with leftover ingredients

    When you're cooking for one, you often have leftover produce, cans of whatever ingredient, etc. Here are a couple ideas on how to use up the leftover ingredients. It'll help you save money by wasting fewer ingredients.

    • Refried Beans: Quesadilla or a Burrito Bowl.
    • Salsa: Breakfast Tacos, Sausage and Egg Casserole, or Microwave Egg Bowl.
    • Cabbage: Red Wine Vinegar Coleslaw, Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage, Vegan Soy Sauce Coleslaw Dressing.

    Did you make these refried bean tacos? Leave me a comment & rating to share how they turned out!

    two tacos with red cabbage and cilantro on a plate
    Print Pin
    5 from 5 votes

    Refried Bean Tacos

    These refried bean tacos are hands down the easiest and most delicious 10 minute dinner. All you need to do is scour your fridge and pantry for a few essentials like refried beans, taco seasoning, veggies, cheese and salsa.
    Course dinner, Lunch
    Cuisine Mexican
    Prep Time 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 0 minutes minutes
    Total Time 10 minutes minutes
    Servings 1 person
    Author Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN

    Equipment

    • can opener
    • spoon
    • plate

    Ingredients

    • ½-3/4 cup refried beans
    • ½-3/4 teaspoon taco seasoning
    • 1-2 tablespoons shredded cheddar cheese
    • 2-3 taco sized tortillas corn or flour
    • ¼-1/2 cup salsa
    • ¾-1 cup sliced cabbage
    • 1 tablespoon cilantro leaves
    • 1 whole lime quartered

    Instructions

    • Add ½-3/4 cup refried beans to microwave safe bowl, mix in ½-3/4 teaspoon taco seasoning. Top with shredded cheddar cheese. Microwave until cheese melts, in 30 second increments.
    • Divide beans between 2-3 taco sized tortillas, top with salsa, cabbage/vegetables, cilantro leaves, and any additional toppings. Serve with lime wedges.

    Video

    Notes

    • I recommend using about ¼ cup of beans per tortilla, so if you'd like 2 tacos, heat up ½ cup refried beans. Heat up ¾ cup for 3 tortillas.
    • Use ¼ teaspoon taco seasoning per ¼ cup of beans. (½ teaspoon for ½ cup beans, and ¾ teaspoon for ¾ cup beans)
    • Just use whatever vegetables you have on hand, cabbage, onions, bell peppers, tomatoes, zucchini, radishes are a few examples.
    • No need to measure out ingredients, just use a spoon to spoon each ingredient on the tortilla and eat with a fork if it's too big to eat with your hands.

    Want to get more single serving recipes like these refried bean tacos delivered to your inbox? Click here to download my Single Serving Cookbook.

    Recipes are great, but you’ll need a simple 3 step process to create a meal plan that make cooking easy & helps you stop wasting food. Check out this expertly developed meal planning guide to get started. 

    More Vegetarian Dishes

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      Bagel with Eggs
    • close up of delicata squash soup in a white bowl with grilled cheese
      Delicata Squash Soup
    • close up of green smoothie in glass
      Apple Banana Spinach Smoothie
    • square image of burrito bowl with veggies on top
      Vegetarian Burrito Bowl for one

    About Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN, CD

    Welcome! I’m Rebecca, a food loving dietitian. On Nourish Nutrition, you’ll find real, quick, and nourishing recipes for one that'll get you to want to cook for yourself, because you deserve it.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Andrea Metlika says

      September 23, 2019 at 11:25 am

      5 stars
      These are awesome! Black Beans and rice with all the toppings, Yummy!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        September 24, 2019 at 9:04 am

        right?! thanks!

        Reply
    2. Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says

      September 23, 2019 at 11:00 am

      5 stars
      We love tacos in our house! These look SO good - might have to make them for the family this week.

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        September 24, 2019 at 9:04 am

        that's awesome! thanks, and I love just how easy tacos are

        Reply
    3. Caroline says

      September 23, 2019 at 10:47 am

      5 stars
      Tacos are definitely a favorite and these sound like a great way to use up some odds and ends of veg as well. Black beans are if course always good!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        September 24, 2019 at 9:05 am

        agreed! thanks!

        Reply
    4. Lisa | Garlic & Zest says

      September 23, 2019 at 10:43 am

      5 stars
      Tacos are my jam -- and these veggie filled beauties are perfect for our Meatless Mondays. Thanks for the inspiration!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        September 24, 2019 at 9:05 am

        they totally are! thanks

        Reply
    5. Edyta says

      September 23, 2019 at 10:36 am

      5 stars
      Black bean tacos are my favorite. I am making them often and my family love them.

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        September 24, 2019 at 9:05 am

        they're so easy & so good!

        Reply
    6. Lauren Grant | Zestful Kitchen says

      June 09, 2017 at 9:38 am

      These photos make me want to dive right in! I'm hungry now!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        June 09, 2017 at 11:34 am

        Thanks Lauren! they're really good 🙂

        Reply
    7. Rebecca says

      June 08, 2017 at 12:36 pm

      Black bean tacos are just about my favorite for a quick taco fix. These look great!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        June 08, 2017 at 6:23 pm

        oh man me too! thanks Rebecca

        Reply
    8. Lauren Harris-Pincus says

      March 01, 2017 at 7:33 pm

      Such a heart healthy dish- yum!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        March 02, 2017 at 7:29 am

        thanks Lauren!

        Reply
    9. Jessica @ Nutritioulicious says

      February 27, 2017 at 10:57 am

      What a delicious meatless taco meal!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        February 27, 2017 at 1:43 pm

        Thanks Jessica! they're perfect for meatless Monday & taco Tuesday 🙂

        Reply
    10. Julie @ RDelicious Kitchen says

      February 26, 2017 at 8:24 am

      beautiful photos! So colorful!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        February 27, 2017 at 1:43 pm

        Thanks so much, Julie!

        Reply
    11. Anne|Craving Something Healthy says

      February 25, 2017 at 11:11 am

      LOVE all of those beautiful colors! I want to dive right in 🙂

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        February 27, 2017 at 1:42 pm

        thanks so much Anne!

        Reply
    12. Sonali- The Foodie Physician says

      February 25, 2017 at 8:21 am

      Stunning photos Rebecca! These look super tasty and super easy- win win!!

      Reply

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    of Nourish Nutrition

    At Nourish Nutrition, you'll find bold, flavorful recipes for one. Most are single serving, and all have suggestions to use up the leftover ingredients so you can stop throwing away unused ingredients & leftovers!

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