Description
Hearty plant-based patties combining roasted sweet potatoes with protein-rich black beans for a nutritious, flavorful meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups mashed sweet potato (about 2 large sweet potatoes, organic preferred)
- Olive oil for cooking sweet potato
- 1 to 1½ cups cooked brown rice (or substitute cooked quinoa)
- 1 cup cooked salted black beans, rinsed and well drained
- ½ cup finely diced green onion
- ½ cup walnut or pecan meal (or very finely chopped nuts)
- 2½ teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper (to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon chipotle powder (optional)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar (optional, for added sweetness)
- Sliced avocado for serving
- Sprouts, lettuce or parsley for garnish
- Sliced onion for serving
- Smoky barbecue ketchup for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C). Cut sweet potatoes in half, rub with olive oil, and place face down on foil-lined baking sheet. Bake 30 minutes until tender. Reduce oven to 375°F (190°C).
- While potatoes bake, prepare brown rice or quinoa according to package directions.
- In mixing bowl, mash half the black beans for texture. Add sweet potato and lightly mash. Mix in 1 cup rice, green onion, nut meal, and all spices.
- Taste and adjust seasonings. Add more rice or nut meal if mixture feels too wet. It should be moist but moldable.
- Line ¼ cup measuring cup with plastic wrap. Fill with mixture, pack down, then transfer to greased baking sheet. Gently press to flatten slightly.
- Bake 30-45 minutes total, flipping carefully at 20 minutes. Longer baking creates firmer texture.
- Serve on buns or over salad with avocado, onion, greens, and your favorite sauce.
- Refrigerate leftovers up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.
Notes
- Don’t skip the plastic wrap when shaping – it prevents sticking and creates perfectly uniform patties every time
- Test one patty first to check seasoning and texture before shaping the entire batch
- Let patties cool for 5 minutes after baking to firm up before handling or serving
- For crispier exterior, brush tops lightly with olive oil before the final 10 minutes of baking
- Make a double batch and freeze half – they reheat beautifully from frozen for quick weeknight meals
- Sweet potatoes vary in moisture content – adjust rice accordingly to achieve the right consistency for shaping
- Salted black beans are crucial for flavor – if using unsalted, increase the added salt significantly
- The mixture should feel slightly sticky but not wet – this ensures proper binding during baking
- Par-baking before freezing prevents mushy texture when reheating from frozen state
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 75 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 patty
Keywords: vegetarian patties, plant-based burgers, black bean recipes, sweet potato recipes, meatless patties, vegan burgers, healthy patties, meal prep recipes