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Sweet Potato Burgers

Sweet potato burgers combine mashed sweet potatoes, black beans, and smoky spices for tender patties with browned, firm edges. Bake the sweet potatoes, chill the shaped patties, then cook them in a skillet and serve with lettuce, tomato, and avocado.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 13 minutes
Cooling and chilling 45 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 18 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 490
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the patties
  • 1.5 lb sweet potatoes about 2 medium
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans drained and rinsed
  • 1.25 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 egg large
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 0.5 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
For serving
  • 6 hamburger buns
  • 6 lettuce leaves
  • 1 tomato medium, sliced
  • 1 avocado sliced

Equipment

  • 1 rimmed baking sheet
  • 1 12-inch skillet

Method
 

Bake the sweet potatoes
  1. Heat the oven to 400°F.
  2. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
  3. Pierce the sweet potatoes several times with a fork.
  4. Place the sweet potatoes on the sheet.
  5. Bake for 45–60 minutes, until a knife slides easily into the centers.
  6. Let the sweet potatoes cool for 15 minutes.
  7. Halve the sweet potatoes and scoop the flesh into a large bowl.
  8. Mash the sweet potato flesh until mostly smooth.
Mix and chill the patties
  1. Add the black beans to the sweet potatoes and mash roughly, leaving some beans whole.
  2. Stir in the panko breadcrumbs, egg, garlic powder, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper until combined.
  3. Shape the mixture into 6 patties about 3/4 inch thick.
  4. Place the patties on the parchment-lined baking sheet.
  5. Refrigerate the patties for 30 minutes.
Cook the patties
  1. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat.
  2. Cook 3 patties for 4–5 minutes per side, until browned and firm and the centers reach 160°F.
  3. Repeat with the remaining oil and patties.
Assemble the burgers
  1. Toast the hamburger buns cut-side down in the skillet for 1–2 minutes.
  2. Serve the patties on the buns with the lettuce, tomato, and avocado.

Notes

For patties that hold together, chill them for the full 30 minutes before cooking. Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days; freezer-friendly for up to 2 months. Use gluten-free breadcrumbs for a gluten-free option.