Quinoa, Black Bean and Corn Tacos
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Tacos! These Quinoa Black Bean and Corn Tacos have been a go-to recipe for my family for over 5 years now and we still can’t get enough of them! With so much flavor, no one ever even misses the meat!
Vegetarian Quinoa Black Bean Tacos Recipe
This dish is incredibly hearty and filling and they are jam packed with healthy ingredients (many of which are considered a pantry staple, too). This is definitely one of my favorite recipes!
I have changed this recipe a lot since I originally shared it. Not that it was bad at all, I just made the recipe more efficient and improved the texture. Before you’d cook the quinoa first then add it and simmer for 20 minutes. So it ended up cooking longer than needed and was too brothy.
I also added seasonings to my taste and cut back on the cayenne because most people don’t love heat as much as I do. So now we’ve got a perfect, quick, weeknight dinner the whole family can enjoy.
Ingredients You’ll Need for Quinoa Black Bean Tacos
- Olive oil
- Yellow onion
- Garlic
- Chicken broth
- Canned tomatoes with green chilis
- Quinoa
- Spices – chili powder, cumin, paprika, cayenne pepper, S&P
- Frozen corn
- Black beans (I use canned black beans but a good Mexican black beans recipe would be delicious here)
- Lime
- Cilantro
- Tortillas and toppings for serving
How to Make Vegetarian Quinoa Tacos
- Saute onion and garlic.
- Add broth, tomatoes, quinoa and spices.
- Bring to a boil then simmer to cook quinoa through.
- Stir in corn and black beans and heat through.
- Mix in cilantro and lime.
- Serve in tortillas with desired toppings.
Quinoa & Black Beans Remixed
This recipe goes beyond tacos. You can remix this in a variety of ways. Here are some ideas I’ve had for this delicious flavor combination:
- Serve it alone as a salad with other summer side dishes
- Pair it with salsa, guacamole, and chips for a dip bar
- Roll it up in flour tortillas for burritos
- Make burrito bowls by replacing the quinoa with rice or brown rice and drizzle with adobo sauce in bowls
- Spoon into a halved avocado
- Lay it on a bed of greens, add ground beef, and enjoy a taco salad!
If you have leftovers, I recommend patting with paper towels to minimize the liquid and then storing in an airtight container in your refrigerator. Storing these leftovers in the freezer will affect the consistency, but using a gradual thaw and reheating your black bean mixture in a pan will help! Beans, corn, and quinoa can all dry out when reheating, so add a little broth or other liquid and sauté over medium heat or microwave for 30 second intervals until it reaches desired temperature.
More Taco Recipes You’ll Love
Follow Easy Cooking Zone
Quinoa, Black Bean and Corn Tacos
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth
- 1 (14.5) oz can diced tomatoes with green chilis
- 3/4 cup dry quinoa, rinsed and drained
- 1 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper, then more to taste (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 1/2 cups frozen corn
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- juice of 1 lime
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
Serve with:
- Corn tortillas, warmed
- Chopped lettuce
- Monterey jack or cheddar cheese
- Diced avocados
- Diced tomatoes
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large non-stick saucepan over medium high heat. Add onion and saute 3 minutes. Add in garlic and saute 1 minute longer.
- Stir in broth, diced tomatoes, quinoa, chili powder, cumin, paprika, cayenne and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat, cover saucepan with lid and simmer until quinoa is cooked through, about 15 minutes.
- Stir in corn and black beans, simmer until warmed through, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes longer.
- Mix in lime juice and cilantro. Serve warm over tortillas with desired toppings.
- Recipe originally shared April 2013. Updated August, 2017.
- Recipe Source: Easy Cooking Zone
Notes
- Nutrition info is for filling only.