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.
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Sweet Potato and Black Bean Burger
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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.
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.
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.
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!).
Happy Eating
xx
Recipe
Sweet Potato and Black Bean Burger
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
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
Nutrition
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.
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If you liked this recipe, here are a few other dinner recipes you’re sure to love!
Gladys says
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.
Stephanie says
These look fantastic!
Do you think these could be made with frozen spinach?
Donna says
Yes definitely!
Sara @ Life's Little Sweets says
This really looks incredible! Pinning this one!
swayam says
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!
Kristin C says
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
Whole Food Bellies says
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!!
Sam says
Yum that looks delicious, and healthy, might have to trick the husband into eating these without disclosing the ingredients. Thanks for sharing.
Whole Food Bellies says
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 🙂
Ashley@blondegirlcravings says
These look delicious, I love black beans!
Whole Food Bellies says
Thanks Ashley 🙂
Kat from curlsnchard.com says
This sounds like such a perfect sandwich (or burger)! I love sweet potatoes and I love black beans, so the perfect combination for me 🙂
Whole Food Bellies says
Yeah you definitely can't go wrong with sweet potatoes and black beans 🙂
Lisa B. says
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!
Whole Food Bellies says
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!
Crystal says
So yum! Wonder if I can get my husband to agree to try these. They look delicious!
Whole Food Bellies says
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!
Shonda says
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.
Whole Food Bellies says
So glad I could help Shonda 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
Sam @ PancakeWarriors says
Making these - pinning for later! I have so many sweet potatoes and I love veggie burgers!!!
Whole Food Bellies says
Thanks for stopping by Sam 🙂 Veggie burgers are the best!
brittany says
These look delicious! I must make!
Whole Food Bellies says
I hope you do Brittany!
Annie @ Annie's Noms says
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!
Whole Food Bellies says
Haha they do indeed Annie 🙂