Black Bean Tempeh Tacos (Easy!)
These tempeh tacos are hearty, satisfying, and ready in 30 minutes! Each taco is packed with 10 grams of plant-based protein. Personalize them with the toppings you love!
Servings: 8 small tacos
Ingredients
- 8 oz. tempeh
- 3 Tbsp. taco seasoning
- 1 small yellow onion
- 3-4 cloves garlic
- 1 Tbsp. tomato paste
- 1 Tbsp. tamari (or soy sauce)
- 15 oz. can black beans
- 8 corn tortillas
Toppings of choice:
- Chipotle crema, pico de gallo, avocado, guacamole, pickled jalapeños, vegan cheese shreds, lime juice, lettuce, tomato, etc.
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl, add 3 Tbsp. taco seasoning with 1/3 cup water and stir to combine. Crumble the tempeh with your hands and add to the seasoning mix. Stir well to combine and set aside to marinate for a few minutes.
- Dice onion and mince garlic.
- In a large pan over medium-high heat, sauté the onion for 7-8 minutes. (I use about 3 Tbsp. water/broth for no-oil sauté method, adding more as needed.)
- After the onions have softened, reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic, tomato paste, and tamari. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring often.
- Add the seasoned tempeh crumbles. Stir and cook for 5 minutes.
- Then add black beans (rinsed and drained). Cook for about 4-5 minutes or until heated through.
- Assemble your tacos: Warm the corn tortillas if desired, then spoon about 1/2 cup tempeh mixture down the middle, and finish with your toppings of choice.
Notes
Make it spicy: Add chipotle in adobo sauce, a pinch of cayenne pepper, or jalapeño peppers. Or simply top with hot sauce before serving.
Toppings: My favorite toppings are Chipotle Crema, Pico de Gallo, avocado, and pickled jalapeños. But use what you enjoy!
For gluten-free: Ensure your tempeh, tamari, and tortillas are gluten-free.
For oil-free: Use oil-free tortillas.
Yield: Recipe makes about 4 cups taco crumbles. I find this is 8 small tacos filled with 1/2 cup crumbles.
Recipe originally published September 2014. Updated February 2025.
Nutrition Per Serving (Estimate)
Calories: 172 kcal | Carbohydrates: 26 g | Protein: 10 g | Fat: 4 g | Saturated Fat: 1 g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2 g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1 g | Potassium: 379 mg | Fiber: 6 g | Sugar: 1 g | Vitamin A: 121 IU | Vitamin C: 4 mg | Calcium: 78 mg | Iron: 2 mg
