Description
These White Bean Buffalo Tacos are a flavorful and hearty vegan meal featuring a spicy, creamy buffalo bean filling wrapped in warm tortillas. The tacos are enhanced with a zesty cilantro sauce and complemented by fresh toppings like romaine, cilantro, and lime wedges. Perfect for a quick stovetop dinner that blends bold buffalo sauce with smoky spices and creamy white beans.
Ingredients
For the Tacos
- 1 tablespoon oil plus more for frying
- 1/2 yellow onion, diced
- 1 poblano pepper, deseeded and diced
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 15-ounce can white beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/4 cup salsa verde
- 1/3 cup buffalo sauce
- 8 taco-sized tortillas (flour preferred)
- Romaine lettuce, for serving
- Cilantro leaves, for serving
- Lime wedges, for serving
For the Cilantro Sauce
- 1/2 bunch cilantro
- 1 jalapeño, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup non-dairy yogurt or vegan mayo
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried chives
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Cilantro Sauce: Add all of the cilantro sauce ingredients—cilantro, jalapeño, garlic, apple cider vinegar, non-dairy yogurt or vegan mayo, garlic powder, onion powder, dried chives, and salt—to a food processor. Blend until smooth. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Set the sauce aside to allow flavors to marry.
- Cook the Bean Filling: Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion, poblano pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, cumin, and pepper. Cook for a couple of minutes, stirring frequently until the vegetables soften and the spices become fragrant.
- Add Beans and Sauces: Stir in the rinsed white beans, salsa verde, and buffalo sauce. Combine thoroughly, then reduce heat and simmer for about 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Gently mash some of the beans with the back of a spoon to create a creamy, chunky texture. Remove from heat.
- Assemble the Tacos: Spoon the warm white bean buffalo mixture evenly onto each tortilla. Fold the tortillas to close the tacos.
- Fry the Tacos: Heat a little additional oil in a clean skillet over medium heat. Working in batches, fry each taco, turning carefully, until browned and crispy on both sides. This step ensures a crunchy exterior to complement the creamy filling.
- Serve: Serve the fried tacos hot, accompanied by the prepared cilantro sauce and optional toppings such as romaine lettuce, fresh cilantro, and lime wedges for squeezing over each taco.
Notes
- You can use either flour or corn tortillas, but flour tortillas tend to hold up better during frying.
- If you prefer less heat, reduce the amount of buffalo sauce or jalapeño in the cilantro sauce.
- The cilantro sauce can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Use non-dairy yogurt or vegan mayo to keep this recipe vegan.
- Frying the tacos gives them a crispy texture, but you can skip this step for a softer taco experience.
- Feel free to add toppings like diced avocado, shredded vegan cheese, or pickled onions for extra flavor.