Tex Mex Black Bean Zucchini Skillet Recipe
A quick and flavorful Tex-Mex Black Bean Zucchini Skillet that celebrates fresh summer zucchini with pantry staples like black beans, corn, and salsa. This one-pan dish is easy to prepare, perfect for a wholesome meatless dinner with vibrant flavors and a cheesy finish.
- Prep Time: 7 mins
- Cook Time: 8 mins
- Total Time: 15 mins
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Entree
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
- Diet: Gluten Free, Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Produce
- 1 medium or 2 small zucchini (about ½ lb), chopped into ½ inch cubes
- ½ cup diced red onion
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- Diced tomato, for garnish
Pantry
- Splash of olive oil
- Pinch of red pepper flake
- 1 cup cooked black beans
- 1 cup frozen or cooked corn
- ⅓ cup salsa (red or green, per preference)
- ½ tsp cumin
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
Dairy
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Sour cream, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare Zucchini: Cut the zucchini into ½ inch cubes to ensure even cooking and ideal texture for the skillet.
- Cook Zucchini: Heat a medium 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Toss zucchini cubes with a splash of olive oil and place them in the hot skillet. Let them cook undisturbed for about 3 minutes until golden brown, then toss and cook the other side until also browned.
- Add Aromatics: Mix in minced garlic and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Stir briefly and allow the mixture to cook for about 30 seconds or until the garlic is fragrant to build flavor.
- Combine Ingredients: Add diced red onion, black beans, corn, salsa, cumin, salt, and pepper. Stir all ingredients together and let heat through for about 30 seconds. Then turn off the heat to prevent overcooking.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the skillet mixture. Cover the skillet with a lid to help the cheese melt quickly and evenly.
- Serve: Once the cheese has melted, serve the dish with a dollop of sour cream and garnish with diced fresh tomatoes for a refreshing finish.
Notes
- For best texture, avoid crowding the zucchini in the skillet to prevent steaming rather than browning. Cook in batches if making a larger quantity.
- Try green salsa for a tangier flavor variation.
- Substitute plain yogurt for sour cream to reduce fat content.
- Use yellow bell pepper or yellow summer squash in place of corn for a lower carb option.
- Additional toppings such as cilantro, jalapenos, or extra diced red onion enhance flavor complexity.
Keywords: zucchini skillet, black bean skillet, Tex-Mex recipe, summer squash recipe, quick dinner, vegetarian, gluten free, one pan meal
