These Black Bean and Bacon Flautas are warm corn tortillas that are filled with a savory, spicy, and tangy mixture of black beans, kale, and bacon, rolled-up and then deep-fried until golden and crispy.

Black Bean, Kale and Bacon Flautas served on an talavera tray with many different garnishes including avocado salsa

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Flautas, Taquitos, Tacos Dorados, or Rolled Tacos

Flautas, taquitos, tacos dorados, or rolled tacos – whatever you choose to call them they are amazing. They’re technically just crispy, rolled-up tacos—but they’re really so much more than that. Seriously, what could be better than warm, crunchy tortillas stuffed with all kinds of delicious fillings?

These boast refried black beans, tangy kale, and chopped crispy bacon. They are then pan fried until golden and crispy and drizzled with avocado and tomatillo salsa.

What Is The Difference?

Essentially, flautas, taquitos, tacos dorados, and rolled tacos are all names of deep fried or crispy tacos – whether rolled or folded. The name choice largely depends on the area you are in. For example, in South Texas “flautas” is the name to go with. 

The choices for fillings, toppings, and garnishes are endless:

Fillings

Toppings and garnishes

Where Do Flautas Come From?

Flautas are essentially rolled tacos and many believe that they come from Sinaloa, a Northern Mexico state.

The name though resembles with the Spanish/Portuguese word “flauta” which means “flute” – the perfect description to the shape of the taquitos.

In fact, their shape makes flautas extra enjoyable – they are easy to grab and devour!

Ten Flautas filled with some amazing black bean filling ready to serve

Black Bean and Bacon Flautas

But back to the filling – you read that right… black beans and bacon. First, I cooked bacon, chopped it and set it aside.

As a mom and a home-chef it is very important to select a bacon that is all natural, made from pork raised free from antibiotics, preservatives, MSG or added hormones.

Pure Farmland all natural uncured bacon packed on a big wooden table

Then, in some of the leftover bacon grease I sautéed onion and garlic and added the black beans and refried them.

In fact, if you have never refried beans in bacon grease you are missing out. The flavor is out of this world!

Crispy fried bacon on a papaer towel ready to be chopped added to the flautas

Marinated Kale

As if that was not delicious enough, I also marinated kale with fresh lime juice, olive oil, cilantro and jalapeño.

Speaking of kale, after visiting the McGrath Family Farm, I was inspired from the beautiful lush fields of kale. So I knew I had to run to the market and buy organic kale and get cooking. Kale yeah!

Fresh and healthy organic kale in a Mexican vintage bowl with other ingredients blurred in the background

After my trip, I have a new appreciation of where our food comes from and what it truly means to go from farmland to table.

holding kale leaves in a field of kale

Substitutes for Kale

If you need a substitute for kale here are a few good alternatives. 

  • collard greens
  • green chard
  • spinach

Mixture of Beans and Bacon

Next, I added that mixture to the beans along with the bacon.

I mean, how could you not love these beans?!

Lime juice, olive oil, cilantro, and jalapeño in the beans mixture looking absolutely delicious and inviting

How to Serve Bacon Flautas?

The choices for toppings and garnishes are your choice. As I mentioned in the beginning of this post, there are many different ways to enjoy the flautas!

Watch this video to see how easy these Black Bean and Bacon Flautas come together for a delicious weeknight meal. 

Mouthwaterting Black Bean, Kale and Bacon Flautas ready for a party with jalapeño, radish, avocado and sauce on the side

 

Love Black Bean and Bacon Flautas? Try these:

Have you made these black bean and bacon flautas? Rate the recipe and leave me a comment below to let me know how it turned out! To get more Muy Bueno recipes delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for my email newsletter. 

Black Bean, Kale and Bacon Flautas served on an amazing tray with many differnet sides including an avocado

Black Bean and Bacon Flautas

5 (2 ratings)
These Black Bean and Bacon Flautas are warm corn tortillas that are filled with a savory, spicy, and tangy mixture of black beans, kale, and bacon, rolled-up and then deep-fried until golden and crispy.
Print Pin Rate
Yield: 30 flautas
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 pound bacon
  • 1 lime, fresh lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Dash of sea salt
  • 1 small jalapeno, finely chopped (optional)
  • 4 tablespoons cilantro, roughly chopped
  • 4 medium leaves of kale, washed and dried, stems removed and roughly chopped into bite-sized pieces
  • 3 15- ounce can black beans, with liquid
  • ¼ cup chopped white onion
  • 2 clove garlic, minced or pressed
  • 30 corn tortillas
  • vegetable oil, for frying
  • avocado and tomatillo salsa, or salsa of your choice
  • radish slices
  • jalapeño slices

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Instructions 

  • In a large pan, over medium-low heat, add the bacon. Cook until lightly crispy, about 3 minutes per side. Remove the bacon, chop, and set aside. Reserve bacon grease.
  • Whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, salt, chopped jalapeño, and cilantro. Toss the chopped kale with the lime marinade in a mixing bowl. Mix well and set the bowl aside to marinate.
  • Heat 2 tablespoons leftover bacon grease over medium heat. Sauté onion for 2 to 3 minutes and then add garlic until tender, for an additional 2 minutes. Add beans (with liquid). Bring to a boil. Mash beans with a masher and cook until slightly thickened, 2 to 4 minutes. Add marinated kale and cooked and chopped bacon.
  • Warm corn tortillas on a comal (griddle) so they are pliable. Add some black bean mixture down the center of the tortillas. Roll the tortillas tightly and then add a toothpick to each to keep them rolled.
  • In a deep pan heat half-inch of vegetable oil over medium heat until it is very hot. Carefully place the flautas into the hot oil. Fry just long enough for the tortillas to get crispy and a light golden color. Turnover at least once using tongs and then drain upright on paper towels to allow excess oil to drain.
  • Garnish flautas with toppings of your choice.

Video

Notes

  • Warm corn tortillas before rolling to avoid cracking.
  • Use toothpicks to secure the flautas and try to not use too much stuffing.
  • To keep the flautas warm while frying remaining batches, place them in the oven until ready to serve.
  • Kale substitutes: collard greens, green chard, or spinach
Serving: 1flauta, Calories: 149kcal, Carbohydrates: 16g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 8g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 10mg, Sodium: 180mg, Potassium: 172mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 773IU, Vitamin C: 11mg, Calcium: 40mg, Iron: 1mg
Author: Yvette Marquez
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: Mexican

 

Video by Pure Cinematography

Originally published: January 2019.