Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tacos

Turn sweet potatoes and black beans into a simple, healthy dinner with these tacos! Ready in about 30 minutes. Top them with avocado, cilantro, salsa verde, or any favorite toppings.

By
Elizabeth Stark
Elizabeth Stark
Elizabeth Stark
Elizabeth has been sharing seasonal recipes on her blog Brooklyn Supper for over ten years. She's been contributing to Simply Recipes since 2016.
Learn about Simply Recipes' Editorial Process
Updated February 04, 2022
Elizabeth Stark
A row of Roasted Sweet Potato Black Bean Tacos on a blue napkin topped with avocado, cotija cheese, and salsa verde
Elizabeth Stark

Turning healthy ingredients into a vibrant dinner always feels a little magical to me. These sweet potato and black bean tacos are just such a meal.

Smoky roasted sweet potatoes, hearty black beans, and a variety of toppings make this a satisfying meat-free dinner. It's also is ready to go in about 30 minutes.

Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tacos
Elizabeth Stark

The Best Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Roasting the sweet potatoes in the oven is hands-free and gives me time to make some seasoned black beans on the stovetop. (Want to make your beans from scratch ahead of time? Here's how to make them on the stovetop or in a pressure cooker.)

Be sure to let the sweet potatoes roast for the full 30 minutes: as they cook, they will first get quite soft, and then they will slowly crisp as their sides puff up and the edges brown.

a row of Sweet Potato Black Bean Tacos topped with avocado, cotija cheese, and salsa verde
Elizabeth Stark

Suggestions & Substitutions

I also toss the sweet potatoes with a little chili powder to contrast their natural sweetness and bring some heat to the tacos. Use your favorite chili spice blend!

Feel free to top your tacos anyway you like – I like tomatillo salsa verde, some sliced avocado, and crumbed cotija cheese, but a quick cabbage slaw, another salsa, or sliced jalapeños would all be nice additions.

The Best Way to Warm Tortillas

Briefly heat the tortillas one or two at a time in a dry skillet until warm. Transfer to a plate and cover with a towel to keep warm. Alternatively, warm a stack of 5 or fewer tortillas a time in the microwave, covered with a damp paper towel, in 30 second bursts until warmed through.

Love Veggie Tacos? Try These Recipes!

Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tacos

Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 30 mins
Total Time 40 mins
Servings 4 to 6 servings

Be sure to let the sweet potatoes roast for the full 30 minutes: as they cook, they will first get quite soft, then they will slowly crisp as their sides puff up and the edges brown.

Ingredients

For the roasted sweet potatoes:

  • 1 to 2 medium sweet potatoes, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (about 2 cups cubed)

  • 2 tablespoons neutral cooking oil (such as grapeseed or canola)

  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 1 teaspoon chili powder

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

For the beans:

  • 2 tablespoons neutral cooking oil (such as grapeseed or canola)

  • 1/2 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1/2 cup diced)

  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste

  • 1 clove garlic, minced

  • 1 jalapeño, stemmed, seeded, and minced

  • 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed

  • Apple cider vinegar or water, as needed

To serve:

  • 10 to 12 corn tortillas

  • 1/2 cup tomatillo salsa verde, homemade or store-bought

  • 1 ripe avocado, sliced thin

  • Fresh cilantro, roughly chopped

  • Lime wedges

  • 1/4 cup crumbled cotija cheese

Method

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F
  2. Roast the sweet potatoes:

    In a medium-sized bowl, toss the sweet potatoes, 2 tablespoons oil, salt, cumin, and chili powder. Spread on a baking sheet in an even layer. Bake 15 minutes, then use a spatula to flip and stir the sweet potatoes. Roast another 15 minutes or until sweet potatoes have puffed up and have crisp, roasted edges.

    Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tacos
    Elizabeth Stark
  3. Make the black beans:

    While the sweet potatoes roast, heat 2 tablespoons oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the onions and 1/2 teaspoon salt, and sauté until soft and translucent, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the garlic and jalapeño, and sauté 2 minutes more. Fold in beans.

    Cook, stirring occasionally, until the beans are soft and seasoned, about 10 to 15 minutes. If beans seem dry or bottom of pan starts to sizzle, add a splash of apple cider vinegar or water as needed. Taste and add salt as needed.

    Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tacos
    Elizabeth Stark
  4. Warm the tortillas:

    Briefly heat the tortillas one or two at a time in a dry skillet until warm. Transfer to a plate and cover with a towel to keep warm. Alternatively, warm a stack of 5 or fewer tortillas a time in the microwave, covered with a damp paper towel, in 30 second bursts until warmed through.

  5. Serve the tacos:

    Layer tacos with sweet potatoes and black beans. Serve with avocado slices, salsa, minced cilantro, and cotija cheese, letting everyone top their own tacos.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
434 Calories
23g Fat
52g Carbs
11g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 to 6
Amount per serving
Calories 434
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 23g 29%
Saturated Fat 3g 17%
Cholesterol 5mg 2%
Sodium 726mg 32%
Total Carbohydrate 52g 19%
Dietary Fiber 15g 54%
Total Sugars 5g
Protein 11g
Vitamin C 29mg 143%
Calcium 144mg 11%
Iron 3mg 17%
Potassium 937mg 20%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.