• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
Mamá Maggie's Kitchen
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Beef
    • Breakfast
    • Chicken
    • Desserts
    • Drinks
    • Pork
    • Seafood
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups
    • Vegetarian
    • Healthy
    • Mexican
    • Holiday Recipes
    • Learn
  • Cookbooks
  • Shop
  • Courses
    • Tamales
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Cookbooks
  • Courses
  • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • Recipes
    • Cookbooks
    • Courses
    • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Vegetarian » Bean Tacos Dorados

    Bean Tacos Dorados

    Last Updated November 9, 2022. Originally Posted May 4, 2022 By Maggie Unzueta

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Bean Tacos Dorados (Tacos Dorados de Frijoles) are crunchy, crispy, and so satisfying. They are the perfect Mexican meal to feature at your table.
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Bean Tacos Dorados served and topped with lettuce, tomatoes, and more.
    Bean Tacos Dorados served and topped with lettuce, tomatoes, and more.

    Bean Tacos Dorados (or Tacos Dorados de Frijoles) – There are different ways of making them in Mexico.

    Here, I’m going to show you how my family in Durango makes them.

    Bonus, this is a yummy Mexican vegan recipe too! Just like Tacos Dorados de Papa.

    Truth is there are many tasty meatless Mexican recipes from desserts like buñuelos to meals like stews like bean pozole.

    This one is 100% vegan and 100% delicious.

    How to Make Pinto Beans

    A collage of beans in the instant pot and beans in a regular stockpot.

    The easiest and fastest way is to make Instant Pot Pinto Beans.

    However, there are some traditionalists out there, and if that’s you, you can make them on the stove as in Frijoles de la Olla.

    Or, go the easy route and buy canned beans. Black beans work too!

    A potato masher inside a pot with pinto beans.
    • Heat the oil.
    • Add the onions and jalapeno.
    • Cook for 1 minute then add the beans, bean broth, garlic, and salt.
    • Mash until smooth.

    These refried beans need to be on the chunkier side.

    If the refried beans are smooth and runny, they might leak out when frying and cause the oil to splatter. Not good.

    A pot with refried beans next to a plate of corn tortillas.
    • Warm up the tortillas in the microwave.

    When working with a lot of tortillas, warm them up in batches.

    They need to be flexible enough to bend, or they will break and tear.

    A collage showing how to assemble the tacos dorados.
    • Fill the tortilla with the beans, using your best judgment as to how much to add.
    • Fold over and seal with the toothpicks.
    • Repeat until you are out of ingredients.

    Toothpicks will help the filling from falling out when frying.

    Yes, you can make them without the toothpicks, but it’s easier to fry this way.

    Bean Tacos Dorados assembled with toothpicks and sitting in a plate.

    What is a taco dorado?

    Taco dorado is a tortilla that has been stuffed with a filling and fried.

    Sometimes people will call these taquitos or flautas, depending on what part of Mexico you’re from.

    You will also see people using flour tortillas instead of corn tortillas.

    Tacos frying a cast iron skillet.
    • Heat the oil.
    • Fry for 1-2 minutes on each side.

    I recommend this oil for frying.

    Be sure to watch these. You don’t want them to burn.

    Don’t overcrowd the frying pan or they will not cook properly.

    How healthy are tacos dorados?

    Fried tacos are not healthy. However, they can be “healthier” if you bake them or make them in the air fryer.

    These tacos are a good source of protein. For even more protein, you can always add a few protein balls to your diet.

    Fried tacos dorados sitting on a paper towel.

    Place on a paper towel to drain any excess oil.
    Remove the toothpicks before serving.

    How do you make tacos dorados in the oven?

    • Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
    • Line 2 baking sheets with foil paper and spray with oil.
    • Add the tacos and brush with more oil.
    • Bake for 20 minutes, turning halfway through.

    How do you Air Fry tacos dorados?

    • Spray the air fryer basket with a few spritzes of oil.
    • Place tacos in the basket, 5-6 at a time, depending on your air fryer.
    • Cook the taquitos at 400°F | 204°C for 7 minutes, flip halfway through.
    A plate of Tacos Dorados de Frijoles topped with lettuce, tomatoes, and more.

    The Toppings

    • Shredded lettuce
    • Tomatoes
    • Onion
    • Cilantro
    • Radishes
    • Salsa de Aguacate or Chile de Arbol Salsa
    • Lime juice
    • For the non-vegans, queso fresco and sour cream.
    • Some northern states will even serve them with consomme.

    The toppings go on top of the tacos, not inside. 🙂
    Pick and choose from the list, but I recommend using all of them. The more, the better!

    HUNGRY FOR MORE?

    Be sure to subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter for my latest recipes and videos.

    Did you make this recipe? Please rate the recipe below!

    A plate of Tacos Dorados de Frijoles topped with lettuce, tomatoes, and more.

    Bean Tacos Dorados

    Bean Tacos Dorados (Tacos Dorados de Frijoles) are crunchy, crispy, and so satisfying. They are the perfect Mexican meal to feature at your table.
    5 from 7 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Lunch or Dinner
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 25 minutes
    Total Time: 40 minutes
    Servings: 4 people
    Calories: 854kcal
    Author: Maggie Unzueta

    Equipment

    • toothpicks
    • Potato Masher

    Ingredients

    For the Filling:

    • 2 tbsp olive oil
    • 1 jalapeno finely diced
    • 1/4 onion finely diced
    • 2 cups pinto beans
    • 1/4 cup bean juice (reserved from cooking) or substitute with water
    • 1 tsp salt
    • 1 garlic clove finely minced

    How to Assemble the Tacos:

    • 12 corn tortillas
    • 1 cup oil

    Instructions

    For the Filling:

    • Heat the oil.
    • Add the onions and jalapeno.
    • Cook for 1 minute.
    • Add the beans, bean juice, salt, and garlic.
    • Mash with a potato masher until smooth.
    • The consistency should be thick not runny.

    How to Assemble the Tacos:

    • Warm up the tortillas for 30 seconds in the microwave.
    • Do this in batches.
    • The tortillas should be pliable enough to fold or roll.
    • Using a spoon and your best judgement, add a spoonful of the bean filling to one half of the tortilla.
    • Fold over the other side of the tortilla to create a taco.
    • Thread with toothpicks to seal the taco.
    • Repeat until you have no more ingredients.
    • Heat the oil.
    • Fry the tacos for 1-2 minutes on each side.
    • Be careful not to burn.
    • Remove from the frying pan and place on a paper towel to remove any excess oil.
    • Serve immediately with all the desired toppings.

    Video

    Notes

    How do you make tacos dorados in the oven?
    Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
    Line 2 baking sheets with foil paper and spray with oil.
    Add the tacos and brush with more oil.
    Bake for 20 minutes, turning halfway through.
    How do you Air Fry tacos dorados?
    Spray the air fryer basket with a few spritzes of oil.
    Place tacos in the basket, 5-6 at a time, depending on your air fryer.
    Cook the taquitos at 400°F | 204°C for 7 minutes, flip halfway through.
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 854kcal | Carbohydrates: 58g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 66g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 18g | Monounsaturated Fat: 41g | Trans Fat: 1g | Sodium: 618mg | Potassium: 540mg | Fiber: 13g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 39IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 106mg | Iron: 3mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @MamaMaggiesKitchen or tag #MamaMaggiesKitchen!

    Filed Under: Mexican, Recipes, Vegetarian

    About Maggie Unzueta

    Maggie Unzueta is the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer, videographer, and creator of In Mama Maggie's Kitchen. She has been developing easy and authentic Mexican food, Mexican-inspired recipes, and traveling tips since 2010. From family recipes to her extensive travels throughout Mexico, she brings traditional Mexican flavors from South of the Border and into your kitchen. Maggie has been featured in notable culinary websites and other media outlets. For more details, check out her About page.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Marcellina

      May 12, 2022 at 7:01 pm

      5 stars
      Super tasty!

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        May 16, 2022 at 2:07 pm

        I can’t disagree. Yes, they are! 🙂

        Reply
    2. swathi iyer

      May 12, 2022 at 8:26 pm

      5 stars
      This bean tacos looks delicious

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        May 16, 2022 at 2:07 pm

        Thank you. I think so too.

        Reply
    3. Alexandra

      May 13, 2022 at 1:06 am

      5 stars
      This is such a delicious recipe – love bean tacos!

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        May 16, 2022 at 2:07 pm

        So glad you liked them. Easy too!

        Reply
    4. Amanda

      May 13, 2022 at 7:31 am

      5 stars
      These were so delicious and fry kids loved them. Making again this weekend!

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        May 16, 2022 at 2:09 pm

        Yay! I love giving people recipes that the kids will eat. It can be challenging.

        Reply
    5. nancy

      May 13, 2022 at 2:31 pm

      5 stars
      wow – i really loved how crunchy it was. So additive!

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        May 16, 2022 at 2:10 pm

        Yes. That crunch is SO good!

        Reply
    6. Jamie

      May 14, 2022 at 12:53 pm

      5 stars
      These bean tacos are so flavorful!

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        May 16, 2022 at 2:10 pm

        Thank you! Flavor town 🙂

        Reply
    7. Addie

      May 15, 2022 at 8:22 pm

      5 stars
      So flavorful!

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        May 16, 2022 at 2:10 pm

        Indeed!

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Maggie
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • PR/ Advertise
    • Email maggie @ mamamaggieskitchen.com