A few weeks ago some friends invited us over for dinner and they made these carnitas. I love sweet fruity stuff with Latin style pork so I brought some mango salsa to go with them. The next day we had leftover mango salsa and I had about 20 minutes to get my family fed before heading off somewhere and this recipe for Black Bean and Mango Quesadillas was born. It was a total throw-together thing, but they were so good we ended up making them again just a few days later, annnd one more time the next day. My kids love black beans, and this is a super-duper short cut version, that packs flavor with minimal effort. Because the beans are flavorful and filling, you can get away with this being a meatless meal, although you could easily add some shredded chicken, beef, or pork to bulk them up. The contrast of the sweet juicy mango, complimented by ooey-gooey melted cheese and a golden brown toasted tortilla is perfection. They make great party food or appetizers, too!
Ingredients Needed
This is just a preview of ingredients and method, keep scrolling for full printable recipe.
Mango Salsa
- Fresh mango – You’ll only need one if it’s medium to large, or two small ones.
- Red onion
- Red bell pepper – You could sub orange or yellow, just don’t use green.
- Jalapeno – We’re just using a touch of jalapeno for a little kick of flavor. It’s not overly spicy, but feel free to adjust as needed!
- Cilantro
- Fresh lime juice
- Salt and pepper
Quesadillas
- Canned black beans – Now I love black beans, and I especially love slow-cooked black beans that soak in flavors as they simmer all day. My my quick and easy version on the stove top is hard to beat, but we’re going even easier than that! Canned black beans are already nice and soft, so we’re going to let the microwave to the work here, and it only takes a minute or two.
- Ground cumin
- Coriander
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Salt and pepper
- Water
- Shredded pepperjack cheese
- Small to medium flour tortillas
- Sour cream – Optional. For serving.
How to Make Black Bean and Mango Quesadillas
- To make the mango salsa: Chop up and combine some Mango, red onion, bell pepper, and jalapeno. I like to chop everything pretty finely, with the mangoes slightly larger. Add some chopped fresh cilantro and a squeeze of fresh lime juice. Set aside to rest in the fridge.
- To make the beans: Just place a can of black beans (that has been rinsed and drained) in a microwavable dish. Add a little water or broth and a few seasonings, like garlic and onion powders, cumin and coriander, and give them a quick cook in the microwave. Then when they come out, use a fork to just mash them up part way.
- To make the quesadillas: Heat up some flour tortillas and toss on some pepperjack cheese. If you want your tortillas to get nice, golden, and crisp on the outside, brush them with a little canola or olive oil first. Non-stick spray will even do the trick.
- When the cheese is melted, remove the tortillas from the heat and spread black beans on one half. Top with the mango mixture, and fold ’em up. Top with a little sour cream if you want (and why wouldn’t you want?) and serve.
Storing and Other Tips
- If you have leftover ingredients, store them separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator and assemble quesadillas as desired. Everything here should keep well for at least 2-3 days.
- Feel free to add some cooked chicken or steak for extra protein!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. These should work just fine with corn tortillas!
These make a great, simple meal on their own, but feel free to add chicken, pork, or beef to the inside, or serve alongside grilled meats.
These are best served fresh! Feel free to prep your mango salsa and beans ahead of time so assembly is quick.
Black Bean and Mango Quesadillas
Ingredients
- 1 cup diced mango about 1 medium/large mango, 2 small ones
- ¼ cup diced red onion
- ¼ cup diced red pepper
- 1-2 tablespoons finely minced jalapeno pepper
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 can black beans rinsed and drained
- ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon coriander
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- salt and pepper
- 1 ½ tablespoon water
- 1-2 cups shredded pepper jack cheese
- 4-6 small/med flour tortillas
- sour cream optional, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat a non-stick griddle or skillet to medium high heat.
- Combine mango, red onion, bell pepper, jalapeno, cilantro, and lime juice in a bowl. Sprinkle with a couple pinches of salt and a few cracks of pepper. Gently stir to combine and place in fridge to chill.
- Place beans, water, cumin, coriander, onion and garlic in a microwave-safe bowl and stir. Cover with plastic wrap and prick plastic with a fork to vent. Microwave for about 1 ½ minutes (microwaves vary) until beans are hot. Use a fork to lightly mash beans, leaving some beans still in tact. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Lightly brush pan with a little oil and place tortillas on it. Sprinkle tortillas with pepper jack cheese (I use a generous ¼ cup on 6-inch tortillas) and cook until cheese is melted and tortillas are toasted and golden brown.
- Remove from heat and divide bean mixture between tortillas, top with mango salsa and fold tortillas in half. Use a pizza cutter to cut into wedges. Serve with sour cream if desired.
Notes
- If you have leftover ingredients, store them separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator and assemble quesadillas as desired. Everything here should keep well for at least 2-3 days.
- Feel free to add some cooked chicken or steak for extra protein!
Questions & Reviews
This is my kind of recipe…well anything that involves black beans is really my kind of recipe 🙂 Can’t wait to try this!
I love mango salsa, so this sounds like an easy, delicious lunch or snack. I get so excited to see what you guys are going to post next!!
Those quesadillas look so good – Cant wait to try them
I love when you post new recipes and I already have the ingredients at home. Truly serendipitous.
That looks delicious! All of my favorite flavors!
Mmm! Dinner tonight! Thanks!
Wow! This sounds delicious! Love the flavor combinations!
What an awesome flavor combination — YUM!!
I love the mango is these! Yummy!
I too love the sweet flavor mixed with the savory as you dish up so temptingly here! Gotta get me the cheese, and then I’m on it! Pinning this!