Black Bean Enchiladas

These Black Bean Enchiladas are hearty, cheesy, and loaded with bold flavor. They're filled with a simple but delicious mixture of black beans, sweetcorn, peppers, jalapeños, and plenty of spices, all wrapped up in tortillas and smothered with enchilada sauce and melty cheese. It's the perfect easy vegetarian dinner that's super satisfying and freezer-friendly too!

If you love these enchiladas, you might also enjoy these Mexican Stuffed Sweet Potatoes, this Black Bean Enchilada Soup, Chili Bean Pie, or crispy black bean tacos.

a white dish of black bean enchiladas topped by fresh cilantro, lime wedfes, and sliced onion

Ingredient Notes

The exact ingredient quantities are in the recipe card below, but here's a closer look at some of the key items and possible swaps:

  • Black Beans: Canned black beans make this a quick and easy recipe. Pinto beans or even refried beans could be used if needed. You could also use lentils like we do here in my lentil enchiladas recipe.
  • Peppers: I used a combination of red and yellow for color and sweetness. Any bell peppers will work.
  • Sweetcorn: Fresh, frozen, or canned are all fine.
  • Jalapeños: Adds a little heat. Adjust the amount depending on your spice preference.
  • Tortilla Wraps: Flour tortillas work best because they're sturdy enough to hold everything together. Use gluten-free if needed.
  • Enchilada Sauce: Store-bought or homemade both work. You'll want a good quality sauce since it's a major part of the flavor here.
  • Mozzarella and Cheddar Cheese Mix: Perfect for melting. You could use Monterey Jack or a Mexican cheese blend too.
  • Sour Cream: Adds a creamy finish. Swap for Greek yogurt if preferred.

Add some diced fresh cilantro to finish and some sliced white onion! My avocado lime crema is also such a perfect topping for the enchiladas.

Variations & Substitutions

  • Make it vegan: Use dairy-free cheese and vegan sour cream.
  • Add veggies: Spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini would all be great additions to the filling.
  • Make it spicy: Add diced green chilies or use a spicy enchilada sauce.
  • Make it gluten-free: Just use certified gluten-free tortillas.
a plate of black bean enchiladas topped with creamy avocado crema

How To Make Black Bean Enchiladas

Here's a quick overview - full instructions are in the recipe card below.

1. Cook the Filling

Heat oil in a pan, add onion and peppers, and sauté for 6-7 minutes. Add garlic, seasonings, black beans, and sweetcorn. Cook for another 3-4 minutes. Stir in ½ cup enchilada sauce and 50g sour cream to coat the filling.

2. Assemble the Enchiladas

Line your baking dish with a little enchilada sauce. Spoon filling into the center of each tortilla, sprinkle with cheese, and roll them up. Place seam-side down in the dish.

3. Top and Bake

Pour the remaining enchilada sauce over the wraps and scatter over the rest of the cheese. Bake at 200°C (395°F) for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly.

4. Serve

Top with more sour cream and fresh chopped cilantro to serve and dig in.

Top Tips \ Chef's Notes

  • Don't overfill the wraps: It makes rolling them up much easier and prevents tearing.
  • Cover with foil if needed: If the cheese browns too quickly, just tent it loosely with foil during baking.
  • Add extra toppings: Avocado, pickled onions, or more jalapeños are always a good idea.
a plate of two black bean enchiladas topped with sliced onion and cilantro

Storage

Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer: You can freeze assembled (but unbaked) enchiladas for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight and bake as directed.
Reheat: Bake in the oven until warmed through or microwave individual portions.

How To Serve?

  • As a main meal with rice and salad.
  • With a dollop of guacamole and extra hot sauce
  • Alongside refried beans or Mexican street corn
a tray of cooked black bean enchiladas

FAQs

Can I make them ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble the enchiladas, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.

Can I use a different type of bean?
Absolutely-pinto beans, kidney beans, or refried beans would all work.

Is it very spicy?
It has a little kick from the jalapeños and chili powder, but you can easily adjust the spice level to your preference.

Can I use homemade enchilada sauce?
Yes, and it's a great way to control the flavors and spice level even more.

a white dish of black bean enchiladas topped by fresh cilantro, lime wedfes, and sliced onion

Black Bean Enchiladas

Author: By The Forkful
595kcal
Cook 30 minutes
Additional Time 15 minutes
Total 45 minutes
These Black Bean Enchiladas are hearty, cheesy, and loaded with bold flavor. They're filled with a simple but delicious mixture of black beans, sweetcorn, peppers, jalapeños, and plenty of spices.
Servings 6 enchiladas
Course Main Meals
Cuisine Mexican

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 800 g tinned black beans drained and rinsed
  • 1 red onion diced
  • 1 red pepper diced
  • 1 yellow pepper diced
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 50 g sweet corn
  • 4 tablespoon sliced jalapenos
  • 2.5 cups enchilada sauce
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon cumin powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon oregano
  • 6 tortilla wraps
  • 100 g mozzarella and cheddar cheese mix shredded
  • 100 g sour cream

Method

  1. Heat the oil in a pan, and then add the diced onion and peppers. Saute for 6-7 minutes, stirring often, until the vegetables have begun to soften, and then add the minced garlic and cook for another minute.
    1 tablespoon oil, 1 red onion, 1 red pepper, 1 yellow pepper, 2 garlic cloves
  2. Add your seasonings, followed by the black beans and sweetcorn. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring, until warmed through.
    800 g tinned black beans, 1 teaspoon paprika, 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder, 0.5 teaspoon cumin powder, 0.5 teaspoon oregano, 50 g sweet corn
  3. Pour 0.5cups of enchilada sauce and 50g sour cream, stirring both into the black bean mixture.
    0.5 cups enchilada sauce, 50 g sour cream
  4. Preheat your oven to 180C | 356F
  5. Arrange your tortilla wraps on a flat surface with your baking dish next to you. Line the baking dish with 2 tablespoon of enchilada sauce.
    6 tortilla wraps, 0.21 cups enchilada sauce
  6. Spoon some of your black bean mixture into the middle of the tortilla wrap (aiming for an even amount across the six wraps) along with a sprinkle of the cheese, then fold in the top and bottom of the wrap before rolling it up. Place the wrap with the seam side down, and repeat for the remaining tortillas.
  7. Pour the remaining enchilada sauce over the top of the wraps, followed by the cheese.
    1.79 cups enchilada sauce, 100 g mozzarella and cheddar cheese mix
  8. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden. 
  9. Serve with the remaining sour cream on top and a scattering of fresh chopped cilantro and jalapenos.
    4 tablespoon sliced jalapenos, 50 g sour cream

Nutrition

Serving1gCalories595kcalCarbohydrates85gProtein25gFat18gSaturated Fat7gPolyunsaturated Fat9gCholesterol28mgSodium999mgFiber16gSugar5g

Notes

Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer: You can freeze assembled (but unbaked) enchiladas for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight and bake as directed.
Reheat: Bake in the oven until warmed through or microwave individual portions.

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