Easy Taco Bar Recipe with Black Beans {Bowl or Tortillas}
This Easy Taco Bar Recipe with Black Bean has fluffy rice with smoky black beans, creamy avocado, salty Cotija cheese, cool tangy sour cream, fresh tomato, and bright cilantro. This Black Bean Taco Bowl Bar lets everyone fills their bowl with any of the toppings that suits their fancy. You can load 'em up and the kids can pick and choose. #tacos #tacobowls #healthyfood #healthydinner #familydinner #kidsdinner #blackbeans #vegetarian
Ingredients
- 16 ounces Dry Black Beans, dry soaked in water (see notes for canned)
- 1 clove Garlic
- 1 teaspoon Chili Powder
- 1 teaspoon Cumin
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 cup Fresh Cilantro
- 2 Scallions
- 2 cups Rice, uncooked
- 1 cup Sour Cream
- 1 cup Cotija Cheese
- 1 Avocado
- 1 Tomato
- 1 cup Tortilla Chips
Instructions
Prep-Ahead Instructions
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For Dry Black Beans start this 1-2 days prior to when you want to eat... Rinse the dry beans under water. Then pour into a large bowl (the beans will at least double in size while soaking), cover with water so that the water is about 1 inch above the beans. Place in the fridge overnight.
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Mince the garlic, chop the cilantro, slice the scallion thin.
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When you're ready to cook the beans (this can be done up to 5 days in advance and even frozen up to 4 months in advance), drain them and give them another rinse. Pour them into a pot and add 2 cups water, along with the minced garlic, ½ cup cilantro, chili powder, cumin, and salt.
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Bring the beans up to a boil, then turn the heat down to a simmer, cover and let cook for 60 minutes.
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While the beans are cooking, make the rice. Rinse the rice under water in a strainer until the water runs clear. Add to 4 cups of water with a pinch of salt and bring up to a boil. Turn the water down to a low simmer, cover and cook for 20 minutes.
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While the beans and rice are cooking (or warming back up), dice the avocado and the tomato. Get the sour cream, cotija cheese, extra cilantro leaves, and tortilla chips ready in bowls with spoons.
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When the beans and rice are done, serve the the rice in bowls with beans on top. Let everyone top them with whatever they want! Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
- How do I make Taco Meat for this Taco Bar? You can either add taco meat or replace the beans with taco meat. The recipe for Taco meat is simple! You need 1 pound ground beef or ground chicken/turkey. Preheat a large skillet or frying pan on medium-high heat. Add 1 teaspoon of olive oil and the ground beef and break up the beef with a spatula. Add 1 teaspoon Chili Powder, 1 teaspoon Ground Cumin, ½ teaspoon Smoked Paprika, 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder, 1 teaspoon Salt, and 2 scallions that have been finely sliced. Stir to combine and let cook for 4-5 minutes until the beef is cooked through.
- Can I use canned beans instead of dried? Yes, you can make this recipe using 4 cans of 14-15 ounce cooked beans. If you use canned beans, first rinse and drain the beans. Then move directly to the step adding them to the pot to be cooked with the other ingredients.
- What other toppings can I add to this Taco Bar Menu? Be as creative as you want! *Tortillas – If you would rather make tacos vs. bowls, then you can get corn hard taco shells or soft corn tortillas or flour tortillas. *Refried Beans – Try my Black Bean Refried Beans! * Lime wedges – Lime juice is great for squeezing over top. * Tomato Salsa, Salsa Verde, or Pico de gallo * Hot sauce * Roasted Corn kernels * Pickled Onions * Black Olives