Cinco De Mayo: Black Bean And Beef Fajitas

Brady Evans does something she’s never before done: she lets her husband peruse the recipes and select the week’s meals.

Recently I was feeling completely uninspired when planning my week’s meal menu. I handed a select group of cookbooks over to my husband and allowed him to do something I’ve never before done: peruse the recipes and select our week’s meals.

Of course, he chose a meat-laden entree for each and every day. I’m mostly vegetarian these days – meat maybe twice per month by my choosing.

This dish is not heavy on the beef and I enjoyed the inclusion of beans in the meat mixture. I guess you could say we were able to ‘meat each other halfway.’

And I’m glad I did. This meal was truly restaurant quality.

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Beef and Bean Fajitas with Avocado Tomato Salsa


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  • Author: Brady Evans (adapted from The Healthy Cookbook)
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Description

Savor restaurant-quality fajitas featuring a savory beef and black bean filling, topped with fresh avocado and cilantro.


Ingredients

Units
  • 3/4 lb (350 g) thinly sliced beef
  • 16 oz (475 mL) black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 16 oz (475 mL) canned tomatoes
  • 1 tsp (5 ml) cumin
  • 1 tsp (5 ml) chili powder
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tsp (5 ml) olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Flour tortillas, for serving
  • Avocado, diced, for topping
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish
  • Lime wedges, for serving

Instructions

  1. Heat a large skillet over high heat. Add 1 tsp olive oil and heat until shimmering.
  2. Add the thinly sliced beef to the skillet and stir fry until cooked through, about 3-4 minutes.
  3. Add the minced garlic, cumin, and chili powder to the beef. Cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
  4. Stir in the canned tomatoes and black beans. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 5-7 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Warm the flour tortillas according to package instructions.
  6. Serve the beef and bean mixture in the tortillas. Top with diced avocado, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • For a vegetarian option, you can omit the beef and double the beans.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Reheat in a skillet over medium heat.
  • Serve with additional lime wedges for extra brightness.
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 5 grams
  • Sodium: 800 mg
  • Fat: 15 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 50 grams
  • Fiber: 12 grams
  • Protein: 28 grams
  • Cholesterol: 50 mg

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this vegetarian?

Yes — omit the ¾ lb of beef and double the black beans for a vegetarian version. The cumin, chili powder, garlic, and canned tomatoes base will still give the filling plenty of flavor, and the avocado and cilantro toppings remain the same.

Why mix beans into the beef rather than keeping them separate?

This was my own compromise — I’m mostly vegetarian and appreciate that this dish is “not heavy on the beef” by mixing 16 oz of black beans into the meat mixture. It’s what makes it restaurant quality for me, and it lets my carnivore husband and me meet each other halfway.

BE
About the Author
Brady Evans

Brady Evans is a cook who specializes in stretching cooking boundaries towards a more healthy lifestyle. She loves making recipes with unexpected ingredients and share her passion for cooking through her very successful and mostly-vegetarian blog, Branny Boils Over.

Brady Evans has been a contributor to Honest Cooking since 2011.

View Comments (1) View Comments (1)
  1. This recipe was lovely. While we were cooking the steak,in the first couple minutes, we added sweet bell peppers and mushrooms. Once we filled out shells we finished with brie cheese. He added hot peppers and I used a green salsa. It was soooo good thank you!

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