Tacos de Plátano Macho y Frijol Negro (Plantain and Black Bean Tacos)
Caramelised fried plantain and soft black beans in warm corn tortillas, brightened with pickled onion and lime.
Made with Pickled red onions (cebollas encurtidas) and Corn tortillas from masa harina and Mexican black beans. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time30 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £0.85 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Peel the plantains and slice them 1 cm thick on the diagonal.
- 2
Heat the oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat. Fry the plantain in batches for 2 to 3 minutes per side until deep golden with dark edges. Drain on kitchen paper.
6 min - 3
Warm your ready made frijoles negros (see the base recipe) with a splash of their broth, mashing a few beans to thicken.
- 4
Warm the corn tortillas in a dry pan for 30 seconds per side.
- 5
Fill each tortilla with beans, plantain and avocado. Top with your ready made pickled red onions (see the base recipe) and coriander.
- 6
Serve straight away with lime wedges.
Tips
- Choose plantains with plenty of black on the skin. Green ones stay starchy and will not caramelise.
- Fry in batches so the slices brown rather than steam.
- The sharp pickled onion balances the sweet plantain, so do not skip it.
Storing and freezing
Best fresh. Keep fried plantain and beans separately in the fridge for up to 2 days and reheat until steaming hot.
Questions
Can I bake the plantain instead?
Yes. Toss with 1 tablespoon of oil and roast at 200 degrees for 20 minutes, turning once, until golden and soft.
Is this vegan?
Yes. The plantain, beans, tortillas, avocado and pickled onion are all plant based and free from gluten, dairy, egg and nuts.
What if my plantains are still green?
Leave them in a warm place for a few days until they ripen, or fry thin green slices twice as tostones for a savoury, crisp alternative.
More made with pickled red onions (cebollas encurtidas)
Tacos de Jackfruit Pibil (Vegan Pibil Tacos)
DFEFNFJerk Jackfruit Tacos with Pickled Red Onions
VGVGFSticky Tofu Rice Bowls with Pickled Red Onions
GFDFEFPozole Rojo de Setas (Mushroom Red Pozole)
DFEFNFSee every dish made with pickled red onions (cebollas encurtidas)
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.