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Quinoa Black Bean Taco Skillet

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A quick, healthy, and flavorful one-skillet meal combining quinoa, black beans, and Mexican-inspired spices for a satisfying plant-based dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (170g) rinsed quinoa
  • 1 can (15 oz / 425g) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium bell pepper, diced (red or yellow preferred)
  • 1 can (14.5 oz / 411g) diced tomatoes with juices
  • 2 cups (480ml) vegetable broth
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon oregano (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Juice of 1 fresh lime
  • A handful fresh cilantro, chopped
  • Optional toppings: sliced avocado, shredded cheese, sour cream, jalapeños

Instructions

  1. Rinse the quinoa under cold water in a fine-mesh sieve for about 30 seconds and set aside to drain.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the rinsed quinoa and toast for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently until nutty and slightly translucent.
  3. Add chopped onion and diced bell pepper to the skillet. Cook for about 5 minutes until softened, stirring occasionally. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  4. Sprinkle in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and oregano. Stir well to coat the veggies and quinoa, toasting the spices gently for about 30 seconds.
  5. Pour in vegetable broth and diced tomatoes with juices. Stir in the drained black beans. Bring to a gentle boil.
  6. Reduce heat to low, cover the skillet, and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes until quinoa is tender and most liquid is absorbed. Avoid stirring too much to keep quinoa fluffy.
  7. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Remove from heat and squeeze fresh lime juice over the top. Stir gently to combine.
  8. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro and add optional toppings like sliced avocado, shredded cheese, or jalapeños before serving.

Notes

Toast quinoa carefully to avoid burning; rinse quinoa well to remove bitterness; add lime juice at the end to brighten flavors; avoid over-stirring during simmering to keep quinoa fluffy; can add extra veggies like zucchini or corn in last 5 minutes; use pre-cooked quinoa to speed up cooking.

Nutrition

Keywords: quinoa, black beans, taco skillet, healthy dinner, plant-based, gluten-free, easy recipe, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://cooltastes.com/quinoa-black-bean-taco-skillet-recipe-easy-healthy-dinner-idea/