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Smoky Pinto Bean Tostadas – Easily customizable to suit ever member of your family’s tastes and can be on the table in less than 20 minutes! Oil free and gluten free!
I’m finding I have less and less time to make dinner as they days go on. During the summer, we are always out and about and and I have no desire to get in the kitchen to make anything that takes more than 30 minutes (and even that is pushing it!). Now that I’m attempting to sign up my son for all of his fall sports, activities, classes, etc., I’m realizing I’m going to have even less time during the school year to pull off dinner duty. And when I do get a chance to prep dinner, I’m not sure we are going to be able to find much time to eat it. Please tell me I’m not the only one who feels this way! As luck would have it, from start to finish, these Smoky Pinto Bean Tostadas can be on your table in less than 20 minutes.
Once you have the smoky pinto beans made, they rest of this dish is totally customizable. I love love love these kinds of meals because with my kids choosing their own toppings they can’t tell me they don’t like something I put on their plate! And I would like to know who doesn’t love a crispy tostada shell? This oil-free healthy dish is like eating one big loaded nacho. Yes, I just said healthy and nacho in the same sentence!
You could easily (and I suggest that you DO) make a double batch of these vegan pinto beans so you have a stash in the fridge for several days. They can be reheated in the microwave or on the stove and it will only take a minute or two. These tostadas not only make a quick and easy dinner, but also, a light and filling lunch or even a simple snack. You could also send this in your child’s lunchbox (or your own) if they don’t mind them at room temperature (my son doesn’t discriminate against foods based on temperatures). Just keep all the ingredients separate from the tostada shell and they can assemble it themselves at lunchtime….fun and filling all at the same time!
I used canned pinto beans, but you can certainly make your own from dry beans (might I suggest doing this in an Instant Pot, which only takes 25-30 minutes and NO soaking required!).
If you can’t find oil free tostadas shells at a local grocery store, you can find them on Amazon or, apparently, you can make them yourself in the microwave like this (scroll down to the 3rd method). Of course, if you don’t mind them made with oil, you can pretty much buy any brand you find.
Smoky Pinto Bean Tostadas
I hope you love these Pinto Bean Tostadas as much as we do. If you try them, please come back and leave me a message below with your feedback. You can also find me on social media. Be sure to tag @veggie_inspired and #veggieinspired so I’m sure to see it. Enjoy!
- 1/2 medium onion (diced)
- 1/3-1/2 cup vegetable broth (divided)
- 1 garlic clove (minced)
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 - 1 tsp chile powder (depending on your preference for heat)
- 2 15 oz cans pinto beans (drained)
- dash of liquid smoke (optional)
- squeeze of lime juice (optional)
- 8 Tostada shells
- havled cherry tomatoes
- cilantro
- avocado slices
- diced jalapeño
- diced red onion
- chopped radishes
- salsa
- vegan sour cream
- Saute the onion over medium heat with 2 tbsp veggie broth until soft, about 5 minutes. Keep an eye on it the whole time and add an additional tbsp or 2 of veggie broth if the onions get too dry and start to stick.
- Add the garlic and sauté another minute.
- Add the spices and pinto beans. Mash everything with a potato masher or fork until desired consistency (I liked to leave some a little chunky).
- Add another few tbsps of veggie broth to loosen up the mixture and heat through for 2 minutes, again to desired consistency. You don't want it soupy, but it should be moist, not a dry paste.
- Add a dash of liquid smoke and/or squeeze of lime juice, if using and stir.
- Serve on a tostado shell with your choice of toppings.
More Delicious 30 Minute Meals to Love:
Find the link to this post and other great meatless recipes at Tinned Tomatoes: Meat Free Mondays.
mchambers87 says
08/20/2015 at 3:05 pmWhat an easy quick meal idea for meatless mondays 🙂
Jenn S. says
08/20/2015 at 5:57 pmYes, exactly! Thank you!
Jennifer says
08/15/2015 at 7:59 amThose look spicy, healthy and delicious!
Jenn S. says
08/15/2015 at 8:50 amThanks, Jennifer!
Natalia Richer says
08/14/2015 at 11:53 pmlove love love this! I cook dried pinto beans and usually eat them as a side, just like that, simple. This will add SO MUCH flavor! Hello, breakfast:D
Jenn S. says
08/15/2015 at 8:55 amPinto beans are one of my faves too! So simple, yet so flavorful! I hope you love them like this! Thanks, Natalia!
Julia (@Imagelicious) says
08/14/2015 at 8:11 pmBeans, avocado, cilantro, smoked paprika – some of my favourite things! Beautiful combination!
Jenn S. says
08/14/2015 at 8:26 pmThanks, Julia! I feel like I put those things in nearly everything I make…so so good! 🙂
vixibash says
08/14/2015 at 3:50 pmLiterally anything smoky and I’m there. How wonderful do these look! We eat veggie quite often so I’ll keep these in mind for when I’m menu planning. Thanks for the inspiration! I hope you have a great weekend
Jenn S. says
08/14/2015 at 8:24 pmThanks so much! I put smoked paprika in almost everything it seems…so good! Let me know if you try them!
Sarah | Well and Full says
08/14/2015 at 8:00 amI love how easy this is!! Perfect for a quick dinner 🙂
Jenn S. says
08/14/2015 at 8:18 amYou got it! Thanks, Sarah!
Kristin says
08/14/2015 at 7:42 amHi Jenn, these look really good! I find myself making a lot of Mexican style dishes because they are flavorful and easy to make vegan. Cant believe I haven’t tried tostadas! Im excited to try these soon. And the liquid smoke is genius. I keep scrolling back up to stare at the pictures. 😉
Jenn S. says
08/14/2015 at 8:18 amThanks so much, Kristin! We eat tons of Mexican here, too, and it’s usually my go-to if we eat out because, yes, very easy to make vegan! Tostadas are awesome! Like I said, it’s basically one big nacho! 🙂
wiredweirdly says
08/13/2015 at 2:44 pmI halved this (only had one can left in the house) and made it for breakfast. I might have eaten it all myself too, however, no one was home so it’s ok, right? 🙂
Jenn S. says
08/13/2015 at 3:12 pmOh, yeah, totally OK!! 😉 So glad you liked it!! Thanks for stopping by to let me know!
harrietemilys says
08/13/2015 at 4:23 amAmazing recipe Jenn!! I love Mexican food, and tostadas are my favourite thing to make. The smoky flavours sound perfect. I definitely need to try these!
Jenn S. says
08/13/2015 at 8:35 amThanks, Harriet! They are just so easy! Please let me know if you try them!
veggiesdontbite says
08/12/2015 at 2:38 pmThese look fabulous Jenn! I love Mexican food and tacos! YUM!
Jenn S. says
08/13/2015 at 8:34 amThanks, Sophia! Mexican, quick and easy…what could be better?
Ginny McMeans says
08/12/2015 at 2:15 pmJust in time for Septiembre Fiesta. Love the smoky flavors and I can’t wait to try it.
Jenn S. says
08/13/2015 at 8:34 amWhat is September Fiesta?? Sounds fun!! Thanks, Ginny!
sina @veganheaven.org says
08/12/2015 at 1:15 pmOh Jenn, these look so incredibly delicious! Can’t wait to try them. I love Mexican food! I actually just posted a recipe for vegan tacos yesterday. 🙂
Jenn S. says
08/12/2015 at 1:27 pmOh, yes, I just saw those this morning, Sina! Amazing! I love adding walnut to “meat”. And your photos had me drooling! Mexican food is always my go-to for super fast and easy and healthy!
Alissa says
08/12/2015 at 12:50 pmYou’re definitely not the only one – I’m always rushing around to get dinner ready these days! I love a 20 minute meal and those smoky pinto beans sound amazing!
Jenn S. says
08/12/2015 at 1:25 pmOh good, Alissa! Sometimes I feel like maybe I’m just super unorganized or something! Glad it’s not just me! 🙂 Thanks!
The Vegan 8 says
08/12/2015 at 11:06 amOh and your print button works just fine, only printed the recipe itself. The lady above maybe hit the wrong button because your “print” button on the recipe is really tiny, so maybe she missed it? Works perfect though 🙂
Jenn S. says
08/12/2015 at 12:10 pmThat’s what I was thinking too. Thanks for checking for me!
The Vegan 8 says
08/12/2015 at 11:04 amOh Jenn I can smell the smokiness from here, hahaha! YUM! I think you know by now I love smoky flavors SO much too so I love this. I have pretty much got into the habit of adding liquid smoke or smoked paprika to almost anything I eat, lol! It’s so good. Love how easy and delicious these are!
Jenn S. says
08/12/2015 at 12:09 pmThanks, Brandi! I’m a sucker for those smoky flavors too. I feel like almost every one of my savory recipes includes smoked paprika…Ha! I just LOVE it!
Strength and Sunshine says
08/12/2015 at 9:24 amMexican food always seems like my go-to quick easy option!! Always delish <3
Jenn S. says
08/12/2015 at 10:27 amMe too! And everyone seems to love it!
Natalie says
08/12/2015 at 9:10 amSo maybe it’s not french toast, but this still looks really darn tasty! Pinto beans are my favorite bean, always have been, but I do feel they are a bit underused. And once you describe this as one big nacho I’m all in! Your descriptions are very effective on me 😀 haha Love that it’s fast and oil-free too <3
Jenn S. says
08/12/2015 at 10:26 amLol! It TRULY is like one big nacho! Nom Nom Nom….
Nancy Beckham says
08/12/2015 at 8:47 amPleas modify your PRINT option so that it just prints the recipe and not wastes 4 sheets of paper.
Jenn S. says
08/12/2015 at 8:58 amOh gosh, I’m so sorry that happened, Nancy!! I just checked it and it works fine for me…only pulling up the recipe and it’s all on one page. Maybe it was just a glitch?