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    Home » All Recipes

    Author: Donna | Published: May 17, 2021 | Modified: May 17, 2021

    Sweet Potato and Black Bean Burger

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    Sweet Potato and Black Bean Burger Pin (1)

    This Sweet Potato and Black Bean Burger is a great way to switch things up on burger night. Packed with good-for-you ingredients, these burgers are scrumptious and fulfilling. Perfect for lunch, dinner, or as a fun addition to lunchboxes. Can be prepped ahead of time and freeze well.

    Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links, and I will earn a commission if you purchase through these links. Please note that I’ve linked to these products purely because I recommend them and they are from companies I trust and use myself.

    Sweet Potato and Black Bean Burgers

    Sweet Potato and Black Bean Burger

    Jump to:
    • Sweet Potato and Black Bean Burger
    • How To Make These Vegetarian Burgers The Same Shape So They Cook At The Same Time.
    • A Note On Ingredients For Making The Perfect Sweet Potato and Black Bean Burger.
    • How To Serve Bean Burgers
    • Tips, Tricks, and Substitutions
    • Recipe

    Full disclosure: making these sweet potato and black bean burgers is going to take more time than it would to put together a beef patty.

    BUT most of the time needed is hands-off oven time; not actually requiring any effort on your part, which is a huge bonus!

    It is super popular with all 3 kids and my beef burger loving husband, and I was able to cram a helluva lot of veggies in there, which is always a big win in my books.

    This recipe is:

    • vegetarian (vegan options provided below),
    • gluten-free (we use almond meal instead of regular flour to bind the burgers together),
    • egg-free,
    • easily made allergy-friendly with a few easy substitutions,
    • freezer-friendly,
    • easily meal prepped in advance.

    How To Make These Vegetarian Burgers The Same Shape So They Cook At The Same Time.

    This is one of my favorite kitchen hacks.

    To make these burgers all the exact same size, use a measuring cup lined with cling wrap to make perfect little circle patties.

    I tend to use ⅓ cup sizes for my burgers but have also used ¼ cup to make mini burgers to serve as little sliders.

    Sweet Potato Black Bean Burgers

    A Note On Ingredients For Making The Perfect Sweet Potato and Black Bean Burger.

    We fit A LOT of veggies into these burgers.

    Like a lot.

    Here are some tips and substitutions to make these veggie burgers work for you:

    • Sweet potatoes: can sub in regular potato or pumpkin if preferred
    • Baby spinach: can sub in shredded kale or English spinach
    • Black beans: can sub in other beans like cannellini or chickpea if preferred. You can also make your own slow cooker black beans if you prefer to have control over salt content.
    • Feta cheese: can sub in vegan feta to make these burgers vegan
    • Almond meal: this is used to keep the burgers gluten-free, however, if you are avoiding nuts, regular flour can easily be subbed 1:1. You could also sub out the almond flour for some oat flour if you still want it to stay gluten-free.

    Hack: Make Your Own Almond Meal

    To make your own almond meal, or any other nut meal, you don’t have to make a special trip to the grocery store.

    Simply place some almonds in a food processor and pulse them until they resemble a slightly coarse flour.

    Sweet Potato and Black Bean Burgers
    You want the mix to be a slightly chunky paste. Don't blend until too fine as it will make the burger gluey and hard to hold together.

    How To Serve Bean Burgers

    When it comes to serving the burgers, use your creativity and make it the most epic burger imaginable, or you can keep it super simple.

    You do you.

    We like to serve a freshly cooked sweet potato and black bean burger with some lettuce, tomato, mayo, red onion, and lots of avocado on a seeded bun.

    They are also great:

    • wrapped in some lettuce leaves if you want to keep things lower in carbs. Baby cos, baby gem, and iceberg lettuce work well for this.
    • the burgers are great thrown into wraps for lunch with some salad leaves and a dollop of hummus.

    I promise that even the most staunch beef burger advocate will be surprised at how tasty these burgers are, especially when fully loaded in a delicious bun.

    Black bean burgers

    Tips, Tricks, and Substitutions

    Can Sweet Potato Black Bean Burger Be Fried Instead Of Baked?

    These veggie burgers can definitely be fried if that is your preference, however I have found that they hold together a lot better if they are baked.

    Plus it means you don't have to stand over the stove and watch them - just pop them in the oven and let the timer do the work for you.

    They can also be cooked in the air-fryer if you have one.

    To cook in the airfryer: You may have to work in batches depending on the size of your machine. Cook in the air fryer for about 5 minutes on each side.

    Can These Burgers Be Frozen?

    Once cooked, these burgers can be cooled and stored in an airtight container in the fridge for a couple of days.

    This recipe is also great for freezing and eating later.

    Simply place the cooked and cooled burgers in a single layer in a airtight container and store in the freezer for about 2 months.

    Can These Be Made Vegan?

    Without the feta cheese these burgers would be vegan.

    Simply omit the cheese or substitute it for some vegan feta cheese (some vegan cheese around these days are amazing!).

    Cauliflower and Quinoa Burger
    Next up: cauliflower and quinoa burgers!

    Happy Eating

    xx

    Recipe

    Black bean burgers

    Sweet Potato and Black Bean Burger

    Whole Food Bellies
    Sweet Potato and Black Bean Burgers are a great veggie burger option that are both filling and delicious. A Fantastic way to sneak vegetables into the kids.
    4.37 from 11 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 1 hr 10 mins
    Total Time 1 hr 25 mins
    Course Main Dish
    Cuisine Anytime
    Servings 12 serves
    Calories 130 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 cups cubed sweet potatoes
    • 2 tbsp plus 2 tsp avocado oil, divided (or cooking oil of choice)
    • ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • Pinch salt
    • ½ red onion, minced
    • 2 cloves garlic, minced
    • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
    • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
    • 2 cups baby spinach,
    • 15 ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
    • 2 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
    • ¼ cup fresh cilantro leaves chopped
    • ½ cup almond meal See notes
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • Pre-heat your oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper
    • Place the cubed sweet potatoes on the prepared baking sheet and drizzle with 2 teaspoon avocado oil. Sprinkle with cinnamon and a pinch of salt and toss to coat. Roast the sweet potatoes for 25 minutes, turning once halfway through the cooking time, until tender and lightly browned. Reduce oven to 375 degrees.
    • Heat a tablespoon of avocado oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. When hot, add the onion and garlic. Cook for 3 minutes until the onions are translucent and the garlic is fragrant. Add the cumin and paprika and cook for one more minute until the spices are nice and toasty. Transfer the mixture to the bowl of a food processor and set aside
    • In the same saucepan, heat the remaining tablespoon avocado oil over medium heat. When hot, add the chopped spinach and a pinch of salt and cook for 4-5 minutes until wilted and tender. Transfer to the food processor bowl with the onions. Pulse for a couple of seconds until well combined but not a paste
    • Add the roasted sweet potatoes and black beans to a large bowl. Mash until the end result is quite smooth but still with some chunks. Add in the feta cheese, cilantro, onion mixture and almond meal. Stir to combine.
    • Line a ⅓ cup measuring cup with plastic wrap and a baking tray with parchment paper. Fill the lined measuring cup with the sweet potato mixture and push down lightly to ensure the burger will stay together. Lift out and transfer to the prepared baking sheet.
    • Pop the burgers in the oven for about 35 mins, flipping after 20 mins to ensure even cooking.
    • Serve on fresh bread, buns or lettuce leaves with sliced avocado, mayo, red onion and tomatoes.

    Notes

    For the almond meal just pulse some almonds in a blender or food processor until they resemble a fine meal. Alternatively, use any nut or oat flour of choice. Regular old wheat flour works as well.
    Store leftovers covered in the fridge for a few days or freeze for longer term storage.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 130kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 5gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 70mgPotassium: 242mgFiber: 4gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 3740IUVitamin C: 2.6mgCalcium: 58mgIron: 1.4mg
    Tried this recipe?Leave a comment HERE and let us know how it was!

    This post has been updated from the original June 2019 post to include more information for readers.

    The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

    Don’t forget to follow Whole Food Bellies on Pinterest for more recipe inspiration! Or if Pinterest isn’t your style, bookmark this post! Let’s keep the conversation going- join my Facebook group! 

    If you liked this recipe, here are a few other dinner recipes you’re sure to love!

    • Vegan Tomato Cream Sauce with Pasta
    • One Pan Lemon Parmesan Chicken with Garlic Butter Veggies
    • Instant Pot Lemongrass Beef Brisket Noodle Soup Salad Bowl
    • Air Fryer Paleo Meatloaf Sliders
    • Vegetarian Sausage Rolls 

    « Crusted Sage and Macadamia Nut Chicken Breasts
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Gladys says

      April 25, 2020 at 5:10 pm

      Black coloured food like black bean is used in TCM food medicine to support kidney health. And such a good recipe to incorporate more vegan into diet. Thanks for the recipe.

      Reply
    2. Stephanie says

      January 05, 2019 at 5:57 pm

      These look fantastic!
      Do you think these could be made with frozen spinach?

      Reply
      • Donna says

        January 06, 2019 at 7:03 pm

        Yes definitely!

        Reply
    3. Sara @ Life's Little Sweets says

      September 22, 2015 at 3:17 am

      This really looks incredible! Pinning this one!

      Reply
    4. swayam says

      July 23, 2015 at 7:35 pm

      These sound just perfect for meatless mondays!! I make something similar with black beans too..and us it a wrap in tiny little rotis..The flavours here sound sinfully good!

      Reply
    5. Kristin C says

      April 21, 2015 at 12:23 pm

      These look really yummy. My hubby and I are both carnivoures ( :p ) so I think it would be hard to get us to go to a veggie burger, but they look good and I would be willing to try them for sure....not so sure about the hubby though 😉

      ps- I love your writing voice. You are adorable with your chocolate...I mean housework 😉

      Kristin// The Peculiar Treasure
      athisfeetdaily.blogspot.com

      Reply
      • Whole Food Bellies says

        April 21, 2015 at 2:30 pm

        Haha Kristin, thank you! My husband usually needs some convincing too 🙂 He liked this version better than the beef burger he had the same day I made these...so you never know!!

        Reply
    6. Sam says

      April 21, 2015 at 5:44 am

      Yum that looks delicious, and healthy, might have to trick the husband into eating these without disclosing the ingredients. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
      • Whole Food Bellies says

        April 21, 2015 at 2:32 pm

        Thanks Sam! Tip: don't tell him you are having 'burgers' for dinner...the look of sheer disappointment when he realises they are veggie burgers may break your heart! Full disclosure is best when it comes to men and their burgers - just soften the blow by serving it with a nice cold beer 🙂

        Reply
    7. Ashley@blondegirlcravings says

      April 20, 2015 at 8:58 pm

      These look delicious, I love black beans!

      Reply
      • Whole Food Bellies says

        April 21, 2015 at 2:32 pm

        Thanks Ashley 🙂

        Reply
    8. Kat from curlsnchard.com says

      April 20, 2015 at 8:41 pm

      This sounds like such a perfect sandwich (or burger)! I love sweet potatoes and I love black beans, so the perfect combination for me 🙂

      Reply
      • Whole Food Bellies says

        April 20, 2015 at 8:53 pm

        Yeah you definitely can't go wrong with sweet potatoes and black beans 🙂

        Reply
    9. Lisa B. says

      April 20, 2015 at 8:07 pm

      This looks really good! My husband would love this. We aren't vegans but we are trying to modify our diets and eat more "green". Thank you so much for sharing!

      Reply
      • Whole Food Bellies says

        April 20, 2015 at 8:48 pm

        We aren't vegans either, I try to make vegetarian/vegan meals about 4-5 times a week but there's no way my husband would commit to 100% 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!

        Reply
    10. Crystal says

      April 20, 2015 at 6:04 pm

      So yum! Wonder if I can get my husband to agree to try these. They look delicious!

      Reply
      • Whole Food Bellies says

        April 20, 2015 at 8:49 pm

        Haha Crystal I know what you mean! My husband likes his beef burgers 🙂 In saying that, he had a 'proper' burger for lunch the day I made these and actually said he preferred this veggie version, so you never know!

        Reply
    11. Shonda says

      April 20, 2015 at 5:55 pm

      Thank you, Donna. I think I have just found what I am eating for lunch today. Almost time to fill the belly and I had no idea what to choose. I cannot get enough of sweet potato and a black bean burger is always delicious.

      Reply
      • Whole Food Bellies says

        April 20, 2015 at 8:50 pm

        So glad I could help Shonda 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!

        Reply
    12. Sam @ PancakeWarriors says

      April 20, 2015 at 4:32 pm

      Making these - pinning for later! I have so many sweet potatoes and I love veggie burgers!!!

      Reply
      • Whole Food Bellies says

        April 20, 2015 at 8:51 pm

        Thanks for stopping by Sam 🙂 Veggie burgers are the best!

        Reply
    13. brittany says

      April 20, 2015 at 2:49 pm

      These look delicious! I must make!

      Reply
      • Whole Food Bellies says

        May 04, 2015 at 8:26 pm

        I hope you do Brittany!

        Reply
    14. Annie @ Annie's Noms says

      April 20, 2015 at 2:35 pm

      Oh, how delicious! I'm on such a sweet potato kick at the moment and I can't even imagine how good these burgers taste with all of the other flavours going on, these definitely need to be made!

      Reply
      • Whole Food Bellies says

        April 20, 2015 at 8:51 pm

        Haha they do indeed Annie 🙂

        Reply

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    Hello and welcome, I'm Donna!

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    Since I have a part-time job, 3 little kids, and a love of good food (as do you I assume), I have learned how to get the most out of the kitchen in the smallest amount of time.

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    We are going to make the most of what is available at the store and farmer's markets all whilst enjoying some delicious meals the whole family (hopefully...if you have fussy eaters I guarantee nothing) will enjoy.

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