Rio Grande Black Beans Zucchini

Bursting with bold Southwestern flavors, Rio Grande Black Beans Zucchini is a quick and healthy dish that's perfect for weeknight dinners. This vibrant, one-skillet recipe features tender zucchini, hearty black beans, and a medley of warm spices like cumin, chili powder, and smoked paprika. Combined with juicy diced tomatoes and brightened with fresh lime juice and cilantro, this dish is as nutritious as it is delicious. Ready in just 30 minutes, it pairs beautifully with fluffy rice or warm tortillas, and can be topped with creamy sour cream, tangy Greek yogurt, or melted cheddar cheese for an extra touch of indulgence. Packed with plant-based protein and rich in flavor, this recipe is an easy way to bring Tex-Mex-inspired comfort to your table!

Nutriscore Rating: 76/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 cups black beans (canned, drained and rinsed)
• 2 zucchini (medium-sized, diced)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 yellow onion (medium, diced)
• 2 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 0.5 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 1 cup diced tomatoes (canned, undrained)
• 0.25 cup fresh cilantro (chopped)
• 1 lime (juiced)
• 0.5 teaspoons salt
• 0.25 teaspoons black pepper
• 0.5 cup optional: sour cream or Greek yogurt (for garnish)
• 0.5 cup optional: shredded cheddar cheese (for garnish)
• 4 optional: tortillas or rice (for serving)

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic, ground cumin, chili powder, and smoked paprika. Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the diced zucchini to the skillet and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the zucchini is tender but still slightly crisp.

Step 5

Stir in the black beans and canned diced tomatoes (with their juices). Season with salt and black pepper.

Step 6

Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.

Step 7

Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the lime juice and chopped cilantro.

Step 8

Serve hot, garnished with optional sour cream, Greek yogurt, or shredded cheddar cheese. Pair with tortillas or serve over rice if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1641.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1951.4

Total Fat 82.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 31.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 120mg	0%
Sodium 3852.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 227.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 47.7g	0%
Total Sugars 27.9g
Protein 72.4g	0%

Vitamin D 12IU	0%
Calcium 1028.9mg	0%
Iron 20.0mg	0%
Potassium 3096.9mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 38.3%

Protein: 14.9%

Carbs: 46.8%