These Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tacos are made with a hearty mixture of seasoned pan-fried sweet potatoes and black beans. They make an affordable and wholesome 30-minute meal that is perfect for any night of the week.

Two flour tortilla filled with sweet potatoes, black beans, and guacamole.

One of my favorite food combinations is sweet potatoes and black beans. From Sweet Potato Burritos to Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili to these Sweet Potato Tacos, I can not get enough of this magical duo.

When paired together, sweet potatoes and black beans create an earthy, slightly sweet, hearty combination that is packed full of fiber and nutrients. And these wholesome ingredients shine in this recipe for Sweet Potato Tacos!

Reasons to Love Sweet Potato Tacos

30-Minute Dinner Recipe. The sweet potato and black bean taco filling is made in one skillet in under 30 minutes, making it a perfect dinner recipe for any night of the week.
Made with Affordable Ingredients. Made without meat, yet with filling and hearty ingredients you likely have in your pantry, these vegetarian tacos are a cheap vegan-friendly dinner option that will leave you feeling satisfied.
Family-Approved. The combination of the earthy black beans contrasted with taco seasoning and sweetness of the sweet potatoes, makes these plant-based tacos appeal to even the picky eaters.
Amazing Flavor. Black beans and sweet potatoes are sauteed together with peppers, onions, garlic, and a blend of southwest seasoning, creating a flavorful filling for tacos that is balanced and nuanced in flavors.

Notes on Ingredients

Sweet Potatoes: For this recipe, you will need about 4 cups of cubed sweet potatoes, which is about 2 medium or 1 large sweet potato. When purchasing sweet potatoes, look for ones without blemishes or wrinkly skin.
Black Beans: You can opt to use canned black beans or dried black beans that have been cooked using my method for Instant Pot Beans. And if you don't care for black beans, use red beans or pinto beans in their place.
Seasoning: I use a blend of onion powder, garlic powder, salt, smoked paprika, and cumin, spices that are very similar to my homemade taco seasoning blend. While you can substitute regular paprika for the smoked paprika, if you have smoked paprika on hand, I highly recommend using it, as it lends such a nice punch of flavor to the sweet potato black bean mixture.
Lime (not pictured): To finish the sweet potato with a bright, acidic note that makes this taco filling pop, add in the juice and zest of fresh lime. It makes a huge difference in flavor.
Peppers, Onions, and Garlic: To add a bit more dimension to this simple dish, I add diced bell peppers, diced onion, and minced garlic. Feel free to omit one or all three of these ingredients if desired.
Avocados: While optional, adding mashed avocado as a topping for the sweet potato tacos, adds creaminess and a dose of healthy fats.
For Serving: Use your favorite corn or flour tortillas to assemble these sweet potato black bean tacos. You may also want to top these tacos with sour cream and/or shredded cheese if you are not vegan or dairy-free. Pickled jalapenos, pickled red onions, hot sauce, and minced cilantro are also delicious toppings for these tacos.

recipe modifications

Change up this base recipe for Sweet Potato Black Bean Tacos to fit your tastes or to use the ingredients you have on hand.

Add Corn: Add up to 1 cup of frozen corn kernels to the sweet potato mixture when adding the beans. The corn will cook as the beans cook and add a sweet flavor to the taco filling.
Make it Spicy: For spicy sweet potato black bean tacos, add up to 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the taco filling.
Swap out the Beans: Instead of black beans, use pinto beans, red beans, or kidney beans.
Serve it YOUR Way: Instead of serving as tacos, use the sweet potato black bean mixture over Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice or steamed brown rice for a rice bowl or serve over shredded lettuce to make a delicious taco salad.
Take a Short-Cut. If you have leftover roasted or air-fried sweet potatoes, use them up in this easy taco recipe. Saute the peppers and onion until softened. Add in the garlic, seasonings, beans, and leftover potatoes. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until everything is warmed through, stirring often. Finish with the zest and juice of the lime and serve.

How to Make Sweet Potato Tacos

The following tips are provided to help you achieve perfect results. You will find the detailed instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Step One: Pan-fry the sweet potatoes. The sweet potatoes require the longest amount of time to cook, so it is best to start this recipe by sauteeing the cubed sweet potatoes, along with the peppers and onions. Be sure to stir and flip the mixture often, so that nothing burns and everything is evenly cooked.

Cooked sweet Potatoes in skillet next to black beans and cilantro.

Step Two: Add Beans. Once the sweet potatoes are tender, add the beans and minced garlic to the skillet and cook just until the beans are warmed through and the garlic has toasted.

Skillet with sweet potatoes, black beans and taco seasoning.

Step Three: Add the zest and juice of a fresh lime. This will make the flavors pop and make these simple Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tacos sing with flavor.

Step Four: Prepare the avocado mash (optional). While not necessary, topping these tacos with a simple avocado mash, adds a nice creaminess to the taco, not to mention healthy fats which will keep you satisfied for hours.

Mashed avocado in bowl with whole avocado next to it.

Step Five: Assemble and serve the Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tacos. For best results, lightly toast the tortillas of your choice in a dry skillet until warm and pliable. Spread a generous scoop of the avocado mixture onto each tortilla and then top with the sweet potato black bean filling.

flour tortilla filled with sweet potatoes, black beans, and guacamole.

Storage/Reheating

You can store the leftover sweet potato and black bean mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Warm the mixture in the microwave or in a dry skillet and serve as desired.

More Meatless Tex-Mex Recipes

If you enjoyed these sweet potato black bean tacos, I would love for you to leave a comment and review below. I love hearing from you!