Black Bean Tostadas with Fajita Veggies

Easy and On The Ready! 

Okay, y’all, when I say easy, I mean it because it’s a word that rarely parts my lips. If I could have any recipe meal prepped and stashed in my fridge, this would be one on my short list.

Almost all the components can be made ahead, but even better, these black bean tostadas satisfy omnivores, vegetarians, vegans and those eating gluten free alike! I love it when a recipe can do that.

Hooray!

Mexican flavors are a favorite in our home anyway, and so it goes that we must have homemade vegetarian Mexican food at least once a week. And when it’s this easy, why not?

Make the best homemade Refried Black Beans using my easy recipe! 

Quick Guide: How to Make Black Bean Tostadas

The sky is the limit with what to pile on top of these crispy tostadas. That’s what makes them so versatile. I love this tostada recipe where fajita veggies and Mexican cabbage slaw complement the creamy refried black beans. In summary, here’s how to make these easy tostadas (see recipe card below for details):

• First, saute the fajita veggies and whip up a batch of chili lime cabbage slaw.
• Second, spread refried beans on the tostada. I love these easy homemade tostada shells and homemade refried beans. 
• Third, sprinkle a bit of cheese on top; Cheddar or Monterey or Pepper jack cheese.
• Fourth, add the fajita veggies on top of the cheese.
• Next, bake the tostada for about 8 minutes to melt the cheese and warm the beans.
• Last, out of the oven, finish the tostadas by piling on the chili lime slaw, avocado (or guacamole), sour cream, a sprinkle of cotija cheese, pickled jalapeños and/or red salsa and plenty of cilantro.

Share right away for a crispy mouth party! 

Let’s Make This Tostada

How to Eat a Tostada

A messy endeavor, but really there’s no wrong way to eat a tostada! Here’s what I do:

• Pick up the tostada, holding it flat and supporting it with both hands. Everything should stay on it, although a few things may fall off, so have a plate underneath to catch all the goodness.  
• Take a bite and enjoy the crunch! Bits will fall to the plate. Use a fork to scoop up and enjoy the good things that went overboard.  
• If the tostada softens from the refried beans, simply enjoy the remaining tostada with a fork, cutting the tostada with the side of the fork as you work your way through it. 
• Or just eat the whole thing using a fork by chipping away at the tostada with your fork for each bite!

RELATED: DIY your own Tostada Shells at home. These are baked, crispy and super easy!

Main, Appetizer or Small Plates

If making homemade tostada shells, you can choose what size you prefer to make your black bean tostadas with.

Small Tostada Shells

• For an appetizer, snack or kid size tostada shells, I opt for the mini 4 1/2″ (11.4cm) corn tortillas. This size is also fun for social gatherings or tailgating, whenever we can get back to that again.

Larger Tostada Shells

• These are a perfect dinner size. Look for 6″ – 71/2″ (15cm – 19cm) corn tortillas.  I can only eat one topped with all the things, Rob, about 1 1/2.  The tortillas will shrink a bit as they bake, so keep that in mind.

A Few Recipe Notes

• When making vegetarian tostadas with refried beans, try homemade refried beans. They’re easy to make and simply elevate the flavors in this tostada recipe.
• Vegan or Dairy Free? Yes please! To create that creamy and tangy flavor, omit the cheese and use your favorite dairy free sour cream or try my chili-lime pepita creama.
• A delicious alternative to the Mexican slaw is simply finely shredded Romaine lettuce. I do this when I don’t have the cabbage in the larder. It’s delicious!
• Prep Ahead? Yes please! Homemade black beans can be frozen for up to two weeks and homemade baked tostada shells can be made up to a week in advance. The fajita veggies, up to three days ahead! It’s a perfect meal prep dinner.
• A Note on Cheese If possible, buy it in blocks and shred it at home. It’s more economical, melts better and there’s no additives.

More Vegetarian Mexican Food Recipes to Love

• Creamy Guacamole with Sour Cream 
• Roasted Cauliflower Tinga Tacos
• Skillet Black Bean Vegetarian Enchiladas
• Mexican Inspired Tofu Tacos with Chili Lime Slaw
• Roasted Stuffed Poblanos with Quinoa, Sweet Potatoes and Black Beans
• Homemade Sofritas

Print Recipe

the recipe

Black Bean Tostadas with Fajita Veggies

Prep Time:15 minutes

Cook Time:25 minutes

Total Time:40 minutes

Servings:6 - 8 Large Tostadas

Calories:537kcal

Author:Traci York | Vanilla And Bean

A versatile, meal prep ready recipe full of flavor and texture. The refried beans and fajita veggies can be prepared ahead and enjoyed days later making this vegetarian tostada recipe perfect for those busy week nights. This recipe is vegetarian, and easily vegan and gluten free.

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See recipe notes to make this vegan.

Ingredients

For the Fajita Veggies:

• 2 Tbs Vegetable Oil I like olive oil
• 2 (430g) Bell Peppers large, one red, one green, sliced in long thin strips
• 1 (150g) Purple Onion large, sliced in 1/2 moons
• Fine Sea Salt

Make the Chili Lime Slaw:

• 3 C (150g) Shredded Mix of Red and Green Cabbage loosely packed
• 1 Tbs Seeded Jalapeño minced (or to taste. Take this up if you like spicy!)
• 1/2 C (20g) Cilantro rough chopped
• Juice of 1-2 Limes to taste and depending on how juicy the lime is.
• 1/2 tsp Fine Sea Salt

For the Black Bean Tostadas

• 6-8 (6-7 inch / 15-18 cm) Tostada Shells gluten free if needed
• 2 1/3 C (580g) Refried Black Beans this is from one batch of my homemade recipe, if using canned, you'll need about 1 1/4 cans.
• 2 C (8oz / 226g) Shredded Monterey or Pepper Jack Cheese shredded*
• Avocado Slices or Guacamole
• Sour Cream*
• Cojita crumbled, just a little on top, optional
• Fist - Full of Cilantro chopped
• Mexican Chipotle Salsa
• Fresh Limes

Instructions

Make the Fajita Veggies:

• In a 10"-12" saute' pan, or cast iron skillet and working in two batches, add 1/2 the oil and heat on high until it shimmers. Add the onion/pepper mixture, a pinch of salt and saute' on medium-high heat stirring occasionally for about 8-9 minutes. If you feel the pan could use a bit more oil, add a teaspoon or more. Charring is good and encouraged! The veggies should be tender crisp when done.

  Remove from pan as soon as they're done cooking, and place them in a bowl. The longer they set, the softer they get.

Make the Slaw:

• In a medium bowl, mix the red and green cabbage, jalapeño, cilantro, lime juice and sea salt. Lid and set in the refrigerator until ready to top the tostadas. 

Assemble, Bake and Top the Tostadas:

• Preheat the oven to 450F (230C). Arrange oven racks in the upper third and center of the oven.
• Spread the refried beans evenly over the tostadas and arrange on sheet pans. Sprinkle a bit of cheese over the beans, about 1 - 2 each (or more as desired). Top with the onion and bell pepper mixture. Bake tostadas for about 5-8 minutes just to melt the cheese and warm the tostadas.
• Once out of the oven, top warm tostadas with cabbage slaw, sour cream, avocado or guacamole, cojita if using and sprinkle with chopped cilantro.
• Share right away with lime wedges and Mexican salsa.
• Tostadas are best enjoyed right after assembly. They tend to get soggy if stored assembled.

Notes

*For a dairy free tostada, sub your favorite dairy free cheese and/or sour cream. Or, try chili-lime pepita cream sauce! It's fabulous on top of these tostadas.

Nutrition is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate. If this information is important to you, please have it verified independently.

Serving: 1Tostada | Calories: 537kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 39g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 70mg | Sodium: 1166mg | Potassium: 574mg | Fiber: 11g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 2174IU | Vitamin C: 75mg | Calcium: 650mg | Iron: 2mg

Made It? Be sure to leave a comment below! The most helpful comment may include recipe rating, feedback, any modifications and/or helping other commenters. On Instagram? Take a snap of your make and share, tagging @VanillaAndBean #VanillaAndBean!

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