Summer is almost here, and I’m on the hunt for easy lunchtime recipes that the kids can help me make (or make entirely). I don’t want to spend my summer in the kitchen cooking and cleaning 3 times a day, because honestly, what kind of summer is that? Whatever happened to our kids eating PB&Js? I ate those almost everyday as a kid and was happy about it (I actually still eat them quite often). My kids are not on the PB&J bandwagon, so oh well. Anyway, I hope to have a great list by the end of the summer (or before then) to share with you all. Also, I am open to your ideas, so pass them on!
Another one of my challenges has been to find some new meatless dinner recipes that the whole family will enjoy, besides typical pasta. Don’t get me wrong, I love pasta, but I want to offer other meatless alternatives for the family. I’ve been trying to cut back on our meat intake to just a couple of days a week, and it’s been easy to find recipes that John and I like, but it’s been a bit harder to find recipes that the kids will enjoy as well.
I recently picked a new favorite cookbook called, Meat Free Monday, and came across this refried bean recipe from Paul McCartney. It was said to be one of his favorite recipes, so I decided to give it a try.
So how did these tacos go over with the family? The kids & hubby rated them a thumbs up! I rated them a thumbs up as well due to the taste factor, but also because I had dinner on the table in less than 20 minutes. These tacos are the perfect weeknight meal because everything can be made and assembled in less than 20 minutes, and chances are you have most of the ingredients on hand in your pantry. Double thumbs up to Paul! 
refried bean tacos:
recipe from Meat Free Monday
serves 4-6
printer friendly recipe
- 1 medium onion, chopped – I used a yellow onion
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 15 ounce can of refried beans or 17 ounce box of the above refried beans - the Fig beans come in a 17oz box and I used the whole box
- 4 medium tomatoes, chopped – I used Italian plum tomatoes
- salt
- package of whole grain corn tortillas – Paul used hard taco shells in his recipe, so feel free to use hard taco shells
- grated cheese to top your taco - we used Monterey jack, but you can use cheddar or your favorite Mexican cheese
- 1 lime
- *Optional – 1-2 teaspoons hot chili sauce – I did not add this because the kid’s do not like things to spicy
Update: I’m finding that these beans are becoming hard to find, so I often use Amy’s Organic Refried Beans.
Add the onion and cook for about 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently until the onion is soft but not colored.
If you like your tacos spicy, add the 1 to 2 teaspoons of chill sauce to the refried bean mixture.
John wanted a bit more spice so he diced up a jalapeno pepper and topped his taco with it instead of making the mixture spicy for the whole family.
Below is a picture of the refried bean mixture.
I know it’s not the prettiest picture, but I wanted to show you what it looks like.
You can heat up the tortillas 2 ways.
seconds per side.
Don’t feel like turning on the grill? Then turn on your stove. Set your burner to low and put the tortilla on top of the grate and cook for about 20 seconds per side.
Now comes the fun part, assembling the tacos!
Make sure to squeeze some fresh lime juice on each taco.
We paired the tacos with some roasted asparagus (surprise, surprise).
These were so good that I had some leftovers for lunch the next day paired with some strawberries and blueberries fresh from the farmers market, so good!
Do you try and have a meatless day during the week? If so, what are some of your favorite recipes?
Inside a British Mum's Kitchen June 4, 2012 at 4:30 pm
Oh I just bought that book!! I’ll have to try these they look wonderful. Don’t you just LOVE Paul!!!
Mary x
Jacquelyn Grandy June 4, 2012 at 7:44 pm
Hi Mary! Yes, I am loving his cookbook. I already made the banana bread from it and it was so moist. Have you made anything from it yet?
Sharyn Dimmick June 4, 2012 at 5:41 pm
Non-pasta meatless meals kids might like: 1)roll-your own spring rolls with rice pancakes, shredded vegetables, plum sauce 2)pizza (which can be made quickly with or tortillas or English muffins) 3) grilled cheese and soup or salad 4) breakfast for dinner: waffles, pancakes, omelets, scrambled eggs 5) quesadillas. Some kids even like make-your-own sushi made with seasoned rice, avocado, egg and nori (not me, though).
Jacquelyn Grandy June 4, 2012 at 7:47 pm
Great ideas Sharyn! I forget about the english muffin pizzas. That is a great lunch idea that the kids can do on their own (with my supervision, of course). They love sushi as well, but I don’t think I’m going to attempt to make it, as I have a great market down the street that the kids can walk to and buy some. I will make the spring rolls as I have seen some great recipes for them.
xo,
Jackie
Zoe June 5, 2012 at 12:34 am
This meatless taco looks extremely yummy! With two of my son’s favourite ingredients, beans and avocado, I think my meat-eating son will be happy eating this for his lunch or dinner.
Heard of Paul McCartney and Stella McCartney “wholesome” cooking but I have not tried any of their cooking yet. This one is a great start for me to try.
One silly question from me…I realise that some of your pictures show your hands chopping the vegetables or demonstrating some cooking. Did anyone help you with all these photo-taking or do you have a tripod stand to do this? I didn’t have an open-concept kitchen and all my kitchen benches face a wall and so all my photo are taken with my wall as a backdrop
Jacquelyn Grandy June 5, 2012 at 1:26 pm
Hi Zoe! My meat eating daughter was happy with these tacos because they are filling and dense. I think your son will like them if he likes bean and cheese burritos.
So, I have a tripod but I have not figured out how to set the timer and I usually have to focus my camera for each shot so I’m not sure how to do that with a tripod. Anyway, I have a lovely 12 year old (Zoe) who happily takes all my pictures. She has even done a few videos, but I’m not ready to post them. You can have your husband take pictures of you from the side angle in your kitchen or you can do the demonstrations on your kitchen or dining room table. Everything doesn’t have to be done in the kitchen. I have learned from blogging that every room in the house gets used. I bring my rimmed baking sheet to whatever room has the most light at that moment and click away.
I hope that helps Zoe!
Tricia @ saving room for dessert June 5, 2012 at 4:57 pm
I loved those summers with my kids. We had a neighborhood pool and they would ask me to bring them sandwiches and snacks and drinks. I loved putting together their favorites and making them happy. This does look like it would and could make me happy. Two thumbs up for easy and delicious. Thanks!
Jacquelyn Grandy June 7, 2012 at 2:07 am
I know Tricia. I’m looking forward to hanging with the kids this summer. They are growing way to fast and I want to savor every minute.
I made these again this week and just love how easy they are!
Heidi @ Food Doodles June 6, 2012 at 12:05 am
Yum! What a delicious idea! I’ll have to try this out, I’m pretty sure everyone in my house will love these
Jacquelyn Grandy June 7, 2012 at 1:23 pm
Thanks Heidi. These are super simple tacos to make, but a winner in my house and who doesn’t like that?
Averie @ Averie Cooks June 7, 2012 at 12:05 am
they look awesome and I actually just cooked a few savory recipes to be posted in the next week or so! I can relate to summer, cooking, kids, the whole she-bang!
Jacquelyn Grandy June 7, 2012 at 1:22 pm
HI Averie. I can’t wait to see your savory recipes. They are always super healthy!
Pam June 8, 2012 at 10:16 pm
They look awesome!
Kristina @ Love and Zest June 11, 2012 at 2:39 am
New to your blog and I’m super excited to read more! You’re awesome!
Jacquelyn Grandy June 11, 2012 at 4:07 am
Thanks Kristina! You’re so sweet and thanks for stopping by
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche June 11, 2012 at 9:11 am
Hi! I’m a new visitor to your blog, thanks to these fantastic tacos!
Loving your meatless recipes! I’m now following you 
Jacquelyn Grandy June 11, 2012 at 1:17 pm
Hi Becca. Thanks for stopping by. I hope you find recipe or two on the blog that become your favorite. The chickpea burgers, lentil meatballs and lacinato kale salad are a few of my favorites.
JUli Tedeschi July 1, 2012 at 6:33 am
yum.Def have to try these this week. YOu have the best ideas
JUli Tedeschi
Jacquelyn Grandy July 1, 2012 at 7:08 pm
Hi Juli! Thanks so much for the kind words. I have made these tacos 3 times since I posted this recipe. This is going to be our go-to meatless taco Tuesday meal!
I hope you like it.
brooke field April 19, 2013 at 12:45 am
made these tonight… so good!
jackiegrandy April 19, 2013 at 4:25 pm
Awesome Brooke! Thanks for stopping by and letting me know