Vegan Black Bean and Sweet Potato Burgers

By Alexandra Caspero on February 9, 2018
You've gotta try this healthy plant-based veggie burger, holds together without breadcrumbs and perfectly spiced.
Makes 6 Burgers

Vegan Black Bean and Sweet Potato Burgers! A vegan and gluten-free patty that’s delicious with your favorite burger toppings. 

I first made this black bean and sweet potato burger over 4 years ago and it’s the one veggie burger that I keep coming back to over and over again. Not only is it super flavorful and hearty, it also holds together without an excess of breadcrumbs or eggs.

I find that’s the problem with most homemade veggie burgers; they are either too mushy or packed with too much breadcrumbs to hold them together that they lack any real flavor. As a bonus, this one is vegan and gluten-free, relying on brown rice and rolled oats as binders instead. I’ve just started going through some of my older posts and updating them again and this is the first one I’m resharing.

Close Up Black Bean Sweet Potato Burger

Food Processor With Sweet Potato Burger Ingredients Glutenfree And Vegan Sweet Potato Black Bean Burger

There is just something so perfect about creamy, slightly sugary sweet potatoes and hearty black beans. Add a bit of cumin and chili powder and you’ve got a winning combination for a zillion different creations, especially this sweet potato & black bean burger.

The best thing about this patty is that it’s perfect the day of or made ahead of time and placed in the freezer. Since I love the convenience of frozen burgers, I tend to make a bunch of these to have for dinner that night and freeze for later.

Open Face Sweet Potato And Black Bean Patty On A Bun Cast Iron Skillet With Three Sweet Potato And Black Bean Veggie Burger Patties

More Plant-Based Burger Recipes:

Vegan Black Bean Sliders
Vegetarian Walnut Burgers
Za’tar Lentil and Mushroom Burgers
Vegan Tahini Lentil Burgers
Hawaiian Veggie Burgers

If you try this recipe, let me know! Leave a comment, rate it, and tag your Instagram photos with #delishknowledge . I absolutely love seeing your creations. Happy cooking! 

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Close Up Black Bean Sweet Potato Burger

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Close Up Black Bean Sweet Potato Burger

Vegan and Gluten-Free Black Bean & Sweet Potato Burgers

  • Author: Alex Caspero MA, RD
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hours 45 minutes
  • Yield: 6 burgers 1x
  • Category: entree, burger, sandwich, dinner, lunch
  • Cuisine: healthy, vegetarian, vegan

Description

Sweet Potato Black Bean Burgers! Vegan and gluten-free patty! You’ve gotta try this healthy plant-based veggie burger, holds together without breadcrumbs and perfectly spiced! 


  • Author: Alex Caspero MA, RD
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hours 45 minutes
  • Yield: 6 burgers 1x
  • Category: entree, burger, sandwich, dinner, lunch
  • Cuisine: healthy, vegetarian, vegan
  • Author: Alex Caspero MA, RD
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hours 45 minutes
  • Yield: 6 burgers 1x
  • Category: entree, burger, sandwich, dinner, lunch
  • Cuisine: healthy, vegetarian, vegan
Scale

Ingredients

  • 2 cups cubed peeled sweet potato
  • 1 tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 cup old-fashioned oats
  • 3/4 cup brown rice, cooked
  • 1 15 oz. can black beans (rinsed and drained)
  • 1/4 cup diced red onion
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp. cumin powder
  • 1 tbsp. chili powder
  • 1 tsp. paprika
  • 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 cup cilantro, minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
  • 8 burger buns
  • Toppings: lettuce, tomato, avocado

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
  2. Peel and dice the sweet potatoes, toss with 1 tbsp. olive oil and pinch salt/pepper. Add sweet potatoes to a baking pan and roast for 30-40 minutes until soft
  3. While the potatoes are cooking, make the rice. Set aside. 
  4. In a food processor, add the oats, cumin, chili powder, paprika, cayenne and pulse 10 times.
  5. Place the spice and oat mixture into a large bowl.
  6. Add the sweet potato, brown rice, black beans, red onion and garlic to the bowl of the food processor and grind until combined and slightly chunky. You don’t want it to be completely pureed but it should be able to stick together fairly easily.
  7. Add the sweet potato mixture to the oat mixture along with the minced cilantro and stir together until combined. Place the mixture into the fridge for at least 20 minutes to cool and form an easier patty.
  8. Preheat a non-stick pan (preferably cast-iron) to medium heat. Lightly oil with more olive oil or with cooking spray. 
  9. Scoop out ~1/2 cup of the mixture and form into a patty. Place patty into the pre-heated pan and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until crispy and lightly-browned.
  10. Place on toasted bun and serve with toppings of choice. 

Notes

For completely gluten-free burger, use a gluten-free bun and certified gluten-free oats. 


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 patty
  • Calories: 270
  • Sugar: 4 g
  • Sodium: 550 mg
  • Fat: 4 g
  • Carbohydrates: 50 g
  • Fiber: 11 g
  • Protein: 10 g

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Text Sweet Potato Black Bean Burger

Meet Alex Caspero

Alex Caspero is a Registered Dietitian, New York Times Bestselling Chef, and mom of two. She aims to cut through the nutrition noise by providing real-life, nourishing tips for body and mind. Learn more about Alex.

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    1. Susan
      January 11, 2022 AT 9:34 pm

      Is there a rice substitute commonly found in the pantry? More oats? Chickpea flour?
      Thank you

    2. Jeanette
      January 11, 2022 AT 10:03 am

      Looks delicious! Would the Pattie’s freeze well? I’m the only one in the home that will eat them so I’m always looking for meals that will freeze. Thank you!

      1. Alex
        January 11, 2022 AT 12:07 pm

        Hi Jeanette– I honestly don’t know– I haven’t tried for these specific patties but it should be OK. Only thing to consider is that most burgers tend to become dry as they are in the freezer. Not a big deal, but something I’ve noticed when I’ve made patties ahead of time. You can also halve the recipe to make a smaller amount.

    3. Megan
      May 23, 2018 AT 7:54 am

      Do you think I can use farro instead of rice?






      1. Alex
        May 29, 2018 AT 9:59 am

        Hi Megan, farro won’t be as sticky as rice, so you might need to add more binders to get them to hold together. If you aren’t vegan, an egg will work or an flax-egg.

        1. Megan
          May 29, 2018 AT 10:30 am

          Okay. So you suggest me trying an egg flax instead of rice or Fargo? Thank you.

          1. Alex
            May 29, 2018 AT 10:56 am

            Hi Megan, sorry for the confusion- if you use farro it might not bind the same way. I suggest try it and then see; if it sticks together- awesome! If not, then add an egg or a “flax egg”- mixing 1 tablespoon ground flax seed with 3 tablespoons water until gelled.

            1. Megan
              May 31, 2018 AT 6:10 am

              No worries, thank you for clarifying. I made them last night with farro and I didn’t need to add a flax egg. They turned out perfect! Thank you!

    4. Megan
      February 23, 2018 AT 3:28 pm

      Making these right now! Do you cook the oats before adding them into the food processor?

      1. Alex
        February 25, 2018 AT 8:23 am

        No, the oats are raw. Thanks!






        1. Kirat Sun
          November 25, 2018 AT 11:33 am

          Hi! What do I do if I don’t have a food processor? Can I use my magic bullet? Or buy oat flour?






          1. Alex
            November 26, 2018 AT 11:53 am

            Hi Kirat,

            Yes, you can just purchase oat flour or sub another type of flour.

            Best,
            Alex

    5. Deanna Segrave-Daly (@tspbasil)
      March 22, 2014 AT 1:57 pm

      Love how you styled this burger too – worthy of any carnivore!

      1. DK
        March 22, 2014 AT 6:14 pm

        Thank you! Hope all is well with you Deanna! 🙂

    6. Dietitian Debbie
      March 22, 2014 AT 7:10 am

      Yum! I’m a sucker for anything black and sweet potato too! I’ll definitely have to try your burger. 🙂

      1. Lauren Kaufman
        June 13, 2018 AT 5:16 pm

        This recipe looks delicious! I write blog articles for a company called MealEnders. A MealEnder is a lozange that can help beat overeating, master portion control, and curb snacking using behavioral & sensory science. We want to link to this recipe in an article about summer grilling. Do you think this burger could be grilled? Thank you!!






        1. Alex
          June 13, 2018 AT 6:30 pm

          I don’t know if these can be grilled; they might be a little soft for that.

      2. DK
        March 22, 2014 AT 6:14 pm

        Thanks! Me too… clearly 🙂

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