Black Bean Tacos with Avocado and Lime

Other Fast With Oil Published March 04, 2026

Black bean tacos are the proof that fasting food does not need to be Eastern European or Mediterranean to work. These are bold, bright, and completely satisfying — spiced black beans with creamy avocado, sharp lime, and whatever salsa and pickled jalapeños you want to pile on top. They take fifteen minutes and deliver more protein per serving than most people expect.

The key is seasoning the beans properly and building layers of texture: creamy, crunchy, acidic, spicy.

FASTING LEVEL: Fast With Oil
SERVINGS: 4 (2-3 tacos each)
TIME: 15 minutes

INGREDIENTS

- 2 cans (800g) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 8-12 small corn tortillas
- 2 ripe avocados, sliced or roughly mashed
- 1 cup shredded red cabbage
- Fresh cilantro
- 2 limes, cut into wedges
- Hot sauce or salsa of choice
- Pickled jalapeños (optional)

METHOD

1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until soft. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.

2. Add cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, and cayenne. Stir for 30 seconds until fragrant.

3. Add the black beans and 1/4 cup water. Cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally. Use the back of a fork to mash about a third of the beans — this creates a creamy base while keeping some beans whole for texture.

4. Season with salt and pepper. Squeeze in the juice of half a lime and stir.

5. Warm the corn tortillas — either directly over a gas flame for 15-20 seconds per side, or wrapped in a damp towel and microwaved for 30 seconds, or dry-toasted in a hot skillet.

6. Assemble: spoon beans onto tortillas, top with avocado, shredded cabbage, cilantro, a squeeze of lime, and as much hot sauce as you want.

NOTES

- Corn tortillas are fasting-appropriate — they are just corn, water, and lime. Flour tortillas contain lard or shortening, so check the label.
- For extra protein, add a can of drained lentils to the beans in step 3.
- On fish days, top with grilled shrimp — shrimp are always permitted during fasting as they are invertebrates, not fish.
- Leftover seasoned beans keep for 4 days refrigerated and freeze well. Make extra.