Smoky Black Bean Burrito (Printable)

A filling burrito with smoky black beans, vegetables, and zesty toppings for a tasty, wholesome meal.

# What You Need:

→ Beans & Filling

01 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
06 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
07 - 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
08 - 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
11 - 2 cans (15 ounces each) black beans, drained and rinsed
12 - 1/2 cup vegetable broth or water
13 - 1 tablespoon lime juice

→ Wrap & Toppings

14 - 4 large whole wheat tortillas
15 - 1 cup cooked brown rice (optional)
16 - 1 cup shredded lettuce
17 - 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
18 - 1/2 cup shredded cheddar or vegan cheese
19 - 1/4 cup sour cream or plant-based alternative
20 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
21 - 1 avocado, sliced

# How-To:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add finely chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes.
02 - Add minced garlic and diced red bell pepper to the skillet. Sauté for an additional 2 to 3 minutes until vegetables are slightly tender.
03 - Incorporate ground cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, ground coriander, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to evenly coat the vegetable mixture with spices.
04 - Add drained black beans and vegetable broth. Let the mixture simmer for 5 to 7 minutes, mashing some beans with a fork to create a creamy texture.
05 - Remove skillet from heat and stir in lime juice. Taste the filling and adjust seasoning as needed.
06 - Heat tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until soft and pliable.
07 - Spread a layer of bean filling onto each tortilla. Add cooked rice if used, followed by shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, cheese, sour cream, cilantro, and avocado slices.
08 - Fold the sides of each tortilla inward, then roll tightly to enclose the filling.
09 - Serve immediately or grill the burrito seam-side down in a skillet for 1 to 2 minutes to achieve a crispier exterior.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The smoked paprika gives every bite a depth that tastes like you spent hours over a grill.
  • It holds together beautifully without falling apart in your hands or making a mess.
  • You can prep the filling ahead and just warm it up when hunger strikes.
  • Everyone at the table can customize their toppings and feel like they built their own meal.
02 -
  • Rinse the canned beans thoroughly or the filling will taste metallic and too salty.
  • Mashing just some of the beans creates the perfect creamy texture while keeping enough whole beans for bite.
  • Always warm your tortillas or they'll crack and split when you try to fold them.
  • Don't skip the lime juice at the end because it transforms the filling from good to unforgettable.
03 -
  • Toast your spices in the pan for thirty seconds before adding the beans to unlock deeper flavors.
  • Use a cast iron skillet to crisp the burrito after rolling for a restaurant-quality finish.
  • Wrap assembled burritos tightly in foil and they'll stay warm for up to an hour, perfect for meal prep or travel.
  • Double the bean filling and freeze half so you always have a head start on dinner.
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