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Smashed bean tacos on tray and bowl of tomato salsa and lime next to it

Smashed bean tacos with fresh salsa

Heart healthy recipes

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Easy step-by-step recipes for everyone

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Smashed bean tacos with fresh salsa

A tasty, vegetarian twist on tacos — fibre-rich smashed beans and fresh salsa make a quick and easy, heart-healthy meal that’s also budget friendly!

2 serve

10 m prep

25 m cook

Ingredients

olive oil

1½ tablespoons olive oil

red onion

½ small red onion, finely chopped

garlic

1 clove garlic, crushed

mexican chilli spice

1 teaspoon Mexican chilli spice blend (see tip)

tomato paste

1 tablespoon no added salt tomato paste

red kidney beans

420g can no added salt red kidney beans, drained, rinsed

corn tortillas

4 white corn tortillas

shredded tasty cheese

½ cup grated reduced fat tasty cheese

cherry tomatoes

125g cherry tomatoes, quartered

ground cinnamon

Extra pinch ground cinnamon, to serve

Method

Step 1: Make salsa
1

Make salsa. Place tomatoes, capsicum, onion and coriander in a bowl. Add lime juice. Toss well

Step 2: Cook onion, spices and beans
2

Heat 2 teaspoons of the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic. Cook, stirring, for about 2 minutes or until light golden. Stir in chilli powder and tomato paste. Add beans and 2 tablespoons water. Cook, stirring over a medium-high heat for about 5 minutes, until liquid is absorbed and mixture is very thick. Remove from heat. Mash well. Transfer to a bowl. Cool slightly.

Step 3: Press bean mixture onto wraps
3

Divide bean mixture into four portions. Using damp, clean hands, press one portion over each wrap, leaving a 1-2cm border around edge.

Step 4: Pan-fry wraps
4

Heat 1 teaspoon olive oil in a medium, non-stick frying pan over a medium-high heat. Add 1 wrap, bean-side down, and lightly press with an egg slide. Cook 1-2 minutes, until browned underneath. Flip wrap over and cook for a further 1 minute. Transfer to a large baking tray, bean-side up. Repeat step with remaining wraps.

Step 5: Grill with cheese and serve
5

Sprinkle cheese over wraps. Cook under a preheated grill for 1-2 minutes, until cheese is just melted. Top wraps with salsa. Fold in half to serve.

Red kidney bean tacos on tray with tomato salsa and lime next to it

Tips

  • White corn tortillas are available from the Mexican food section in supermarkets.

  • Check labels on chilli powder and choose the brand lowest in sodium or use Heart Foundation Mexican spice blend

  • Use leftover ingredients: add red capsicum and onion in omelettes, salads, or stir-fries. Add extra beans to soups, wraps, or toss through rice for an easy lunch. Use remaining tortillas for quesadillas, mini pizzas, or to make homemade tortilla chips. Leftover cherry tomatoes are delicious roasted and added to pasta or grain bowls.

A variety of colorful and healthy dishes are arranged around a central red circle that reads '4 weeks of Heart-healthy Dinner Plans' with a red fork and knife on either side. The dishes include vegetable curry, a mixed vegetable stir-fry, roasted vegetables, two types of pizza with various toppings, and a dish with tortilla chips. There are also lemon wedges and garlic cloves scattered around the table.

Heart-healthy Dinner Plans

Over four weeks, we’ll provide you with free, delicious, easy-to-follow recipes and tips to help you enjoy a heart-healthy eating pattern.

Last updated14 January 2026