Vegan Sweet Potato Black Bean Burgers
This vegan sweet potato black bean burger recipe holds together and is easy to make with just a few simple ingredients.
About the Recipe
These black bean sweet potato burgers have the perfect blend of sweet, spicy and smoky flavors, plus hold their shape wonderfully making them ideal for baking, pan frying, grilling or air frying.
The burgers are vegan, gluten-free and nut-free so cater to a variety of dietary needs and are perfect served on a ban, added to salads and bowls or enjoyed as a nutritious snack.
They come out firm on the outside and tender on the inside and are very easy to make with just a few pantry staple ingredients.
The combination of sweet potatoes and black beans is always a classic. You can also try them together in Sweet Potato Black Bean Tacos, Black Bean Stuffed Sweet Potatoes or Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili.
For more of our favorite veggie burgers, this Mushroom Veggie Burger, Quinoa Beet Burger and Spicy Chickpea Veggie Burgers are all excellent.
Ingredients
- Black Beans: Canned works great, just drain, rinse and you’re ready to go. Kidney beans or white beans also work here.
- Sweet Potato: You’ll need about 1 cup cooked, use this method for baking sweet potatoes beforehand.
- Corn: Canned, fresh or thawed frozen both work fine.
- Oats: Quick oats are best for their fine texture but rolled oats or old-fashioned oats are ok too. If needed, use certified gluten-free oats.
- Flax: Helps to bind the recipe. Make sure you use ground flaxseeds, not whole flax seed.
- Jalapeno: Adds a bit of heat and flavor, make sure you de-seed it otherwise they’ll be very spicy. You can omit the jalapeno if you’re sensitive to spice.
Please see the recipe card at the end of the post for the complete ingredient list with measurements.
Variations & Additions
- Spicy Kick: Add diced 1-2 chipotle peppers, 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, 2 tsp chili powder, or 1 tbsp adobo sauce or hot sauce to the burger mixture for a fiery twist.
- Umami: You can add up to 1 tbsp soy sauce or gluten-free tamari for added umami flavor.
- Herb Infusion: Mix in fresh herbs like cilantro, parsley, or chives for a burst of freshness.
- Cheesy: Integrate up to 1/2 cup shredded vegan cheddar cheese or 2 tbsp nutritional yeast into the burger mixture.
- Nutty: Add up to 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans for more texture.
- Quinoa: Add up to 1/2 cup cooked quinoa for additional protein and texture.
- Extra Veggies: You can add up to 1 cup shredded carrot or 1 red or green pepper. Cut the pepper into small chunks before adding to food processor with the onion and jalapeno.
- For an appetizer option make them meatball or nugget-sized and serve with dipping sauce. This also works for making sliders.
- Slaw: This Apple Beet Slaw, Spicy Carrot Slaw, Quick Pickled Red Onions or the sesame slaw from this Peanut Chickpea Tacos recipe are all good burger toppings.
- Bowl: Crumble the burger over a grain bowl with quinoa or brown rice, mixed greens, roasted vegetables, and a drizzle of tahini dressing.
- Breakfast: Serve the burger patty with avocado and this Tofu Scramble Recipe for a hearty breakfast.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Quick Tip: You will need 1 medium or 1 cup of cooked sweet potato for this recipe. If you don’t have that prepared, start that first. You can use this tutorial for how to bake sweet potatoes or prepare them any way you normally would.
Step 1. Add the jalapeno and onion chunks to a food processor and pulse a few times to process into a rough chop.
Step 2. Add the cooked sweet potato and black beans, reserving 1/3 cup of the beans. Process until mostly smooth.
Step 3. Add the food processor mixture and the rest of the ingredients, including the reserved beans, to a bowl and mix well. Chill the mixture in the fridge for 20 minutes. If baking, preheat the oven to 400 F.
Step 4. Shape 6 burger patties and place on a lined baking tray. If baking, bake for about 10-15 minutes per side. If frying, cook in a nonstick skillet for 3-5 minutes per side over medium heat. I recommend using a bit of cooking spray or olive oil to cook.
Recipe FAQs
For a low-carb option, serve in a lettuce bun. Try topped with roasted red peppers or quick pickled red onions. Try this vegan tzatziki, spicy vegan mayo or vegan caesar dressing for a burger sauce.
Serve with baked parsnip fries, oil-free fries, arugula peach salad or something like this Greek pasta salad, Mediterranean orzo salad or avocado corn salad.
Cooked patties can be frozen in a resealable container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. You may want to place a square of wax paper or parchment paper between the patties to prevent sticking, or freeze them on a baking sheet before tray to a bag or container.
Reheat leftover burgers in a pan or in the oven for 10-12 minutes at 350 F until heated through. They can be reheated in the microwave but get a bit soggy. You can also enjoy them cold for a snack or added to salads.
Cooked patties can be stored in the fridge in a sealed container for up to 5 days. Raw patties can be prepared 1 day in advance and stored in the fridge in a sealed container or covered on a plate until you’re ready to cook them.
Preheat the air fryer to 350 F and cook the burgers for about 5 minutes per side, flipping after 5 minutes.
If you don’t have a food processor, finely chop the veggies by hand and mash the cooked sweet potato with a potato masher, then mix everything in a bowl until you have a smooth, combined texture.
More Recipes
Did you try this recipe? I’d love to hear about it! Scroll down to the comment section to leave a star rating and review.
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Vegan Sweet Potato Black Bean Burgers
- Prep Time: 30 min
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Sweet potato black bean veggie burgers that are easy to make with simple ingredients for a flavourful alternative to meat burgers the whole family will enjoy.
Ingredients
- ½ of a medium red onion
- 1 jalapeno, stem and seeds removed
- 15 oz can of black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 medium sweet potato, cooked, peel removed (about 1 cup cooked, approx. 300 g)
- ⅓ cup corn kernels, canned or frozen
- ¾ cup quick oats (75 g)
- 3 tbsp finely chopped cilantro
- 2 tbsp ground flax seed
- 2 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- pinch of black pepper
Instructions
- Slice the onion into wedges; the jalapeno in half and remove seeds, and add both a food processor. Pulse a few times to roughly chop.
- Add cooked sweet potato and the black beans, reserving ⅓ cup beans. Process until mostly smooth.
- Add remaining ingredients, including reserved beans, to a medium mixing bowl. Add processed potato mixture to bowl and stir to combine.
- Place the bowl of burger ingredients in the fridge to chill for 20 minutes. During this time, preheat the oven to 400 F if baking, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Once chilled, divide the mixture into 6-8 “patties” and place on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes each side, spraying with oil if desired. If not baking, burgers may also be pan-fried for 3-5 minutes on each side in a good non-stick pan, using non-stick cooking spray or a touch of oil to cook, if needed.
- Serve on a bun with your favourite burger toppings such as mustard, ketchup, onion, lettuce and tomato.
Notes
Use this tutorial for how to bake sweet potatoes if you don’t have any prepared.
Corn can be thawed frozen or canned that has been rained and rinsed.
I used Chosen Foods Avocado spray for both pan-fried and to spray the ones in the oven so they browned nicely.
Leftover patties can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 burger
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 3.4 g
- Sodium: 481 mg
- Fat: 2.8 g
- Carbohydrates: 28.3 g
- Fiber: 8.6 g
- Protein: 7.6 g
As someone who has tried many vegan burgers, this is the best I’ve ever had. I’ve made them twice now and they turn out perfectly delicious. Thank you for sharing.
That’s awesome, Lesli! Thanks for letting me know. You might love my spicy chickpea burgers too, they’re my most popular recipe!
Could any of your plant-based burger recipes be used to make “meatballs” for spaghetti?
Thanks.
I haven’t tried it but I think some readers have with success. Let me k ow if you do!
Absolutely delish and so easy to prepare! Thank you for another wonderful recipe!
You are so very welcome!
I loved it and my husband as well he is a meat eater person but I can make it burger any time for him 😁.
Very easy to make better than buying in shop.
Can’t wait to try more like this 😋
So glad to hear that, Anita! Let me know what else you try!
Just made these January 6.21. Used old fashioned rolled oats, no cilantro or jalapeño. Threw in some red pepper flakes. Burgers held together great. Tasted amazing. Had to cook 15 minutes per side but they were yummy. Would make again.
Amazing! So glad you enjoy them. Thanks for the feedback on cooking time!
These sweet potato/black bean burgers are delicious! I forgot how much I love baked sweet potato!! I followed the recipe to a T, but will add more jalapeno next time. Mine were served on portobello buns, topped with tomato and avocado. You know it’s right when the carnivores in the house love it, too!
Awesome! So glad they were enjoyed.