Zesty Sweet Potato & Black Bean Quinoa Burgers
These hearty Zesty Sweet Potato & Black Bean Quinoa Burgers are packed with flavor and nutrition. Made with creamy sweet potatoes, black beans, and proteins from quinoa, these burgers are seasoned with a blend of aromatic spices for a satisfying meal. Paired with a tangy Chili Lime Mayo, these burgers are perfect for a hearty lunch or dinner, and can be served on a bun or as a lettuce wrap for a gluten-free option. Fresh toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, avocados, and radishes add vibrant flavor and nutrition.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
18
Ingredients
Ingredients
Cooked quinoa
1 1/8 cups (Cooked and cooled)
Sweet potatoes
1 1/2 medium (Halved lengthwise and roasted)
Salt
1/4 teaspoon (To taste)
Onion powder
3/4 teaspoon (Combine with spices)
Garlic powder
3/8 teaspoon (Combine with spices)
Chili powder
3/4 teaspoon (Combine with spices)
Dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon (Combine with spices)
Cumin powder
1 1/2 teaspoons (Combine with spices)
Black pepper
1/4 teaspoon (Combine with spices)
Black beans
1 (15 ounce) can (Rinsed and drained)
Mayonnaise
1/4 cup (For chili lime mayo)
Chili-garlic sauce
3/4 teaspoon (For chili lime mayo)
Lime
1/4 (Juice for chili lime mayo)
Buns or lettuce wraps
as needed (For serving)
Lettuce
as needed (Fresh toppings for serving)
Tomatoes
as needed (Fresh toppings for serving)
Avocados
as needed (Fresh toppings for serving)
Radishes
as needed (Fresh toppings for serving)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2
Slice the sweet potatoes in half lengthwise and place them cut side down on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes or until tender.
3
While the sweet potatoes are baking, prepare the Chili Lime Mayo. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, chili-garlic sauce, and freshly squeezed lime juice. Adjust seasoning to taste and set aside.
4
In a separate small bowl, combine the salt, onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, oregano, cumin, and black pepper. Stir well and set aside for later.
5
Once the sweet potatoes are fully cooked, remove them from the oven and let them cool slightly. In a large mixing bowl, add the rinsed and drained black beans and the cooked sweet potatoes. Mash them together until you achieve a slightly chunky consistency, with some beans remaining whole for texture.
6
Stir in the cooked quinoa along with the spice mixture. Mix everything together using your hands until well combined.
7
Form the mixture into 6-8 burger patties, each about 1/3 cup in size. Place these patties onto the parchment-lined baking sheet.
8
Lightly spray the tops of the burger patties with olive oil. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, then carefully flip each burger and spray the other side with olive oil. Bake for an additional 10 minutes until golden.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main ingredients in these burgers?
The main ingredients are cooked quinoa, roasted sweet potatoes, and black beans, seasoned with a variety of spices.
Are these Sweet Potato & Black Bean Quinoa Burgers vegan?
The recipe can be made vegan by substituting the mayonnaise in the Chili Lime Mayo with a vegan-friendly alternative.
How do I prepare the sweet potatoes for this recipe?
Slice 1.5 medium sweet potatoes in half lengthwise and roast them cut side down at 400°F for about 30 minutes until tender.
What is in the Chili Lime Mayo?
The sauce is a blend of 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 3/4 teaspoon chili-garlic sauce, and fresh lime juice.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, the patties themselves are gluten-free. To keep the entire meal gluten-free, serve them on lettuce wraps or gluten-free buns.
What spices are used to season the patties?
The spice blend includes salt, onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, dried oregano, cumin powder, and black pepper.
How many patties does this recipe produce?
This recipe yields between 6 to 8 burger patties.
What size should each burger patty be?
Each patty should be formed using approximately 1/3 cup of the mixture.
How long should the burgers bake in the oven?
Bake the patties for 20 minutes, flip them, and then bake for an additional 10 minutes until they are golden.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 400°F (200°C).
Should the black beans be mashed completely?
No, you should mash them with the sweet potatoes until you reach a slightly chunky consistency, leaving some beans whole for texture.
Is the quinoa added cooked or raw?
The quinoa should be cooked and cooled before being stirred into the burger mixture.
How much quinoa is required?
The recipe calls for 1 1/8 cups of cooked quinoa.
What toppings are recommended for these burgers?
Recommended fresh toppings include lettuce, tomatoes, avocados, and radishes.
Do I need to spray the patties with oil?
Yes, lightly spray the tops of the patties with olive oil before baking and again after flipping to help them crisp up.
Can I use a food processor to mix the ingredients?
While you can, the recipe suggests using your hands or a masher to maintain a chunky, textured consistency.
What is the purpose of the cumin powder in the recipe?
Cumin powder provides an aromatic, earthy flavor that complements the sweetness of the potatoes and the heartiness of the beans.
How should the black beans be prepared?
Use one 15-ounce can of black beans, making sure to rinse and drain them thoroughly before mashing.
Can I make these burgers ahead of time?
Yes, these burgers are excellent for meal prep and can be stored or frozen.
What provides the 'zesty' flavor in this recipe?
The zestiness comes from the combination of chili powder, chili-garlic sauce, and fresh lime juice.
What kind of baking surface is best?
A large baking sheet lined with parchment paper is recommended to prevent sticking.
How much chili-garlic sauce is used?
The recipe uses 3/4 teaspoon of chili-garlic sauce for the mayo.
Is there a specific way to cool the sweet potatoes?
After roasting, let them cool slightly so they are easier to handle when mashing with the beans.
Can I substitute the dried oregano?
Yes, though oregano adds a specific herbal note that balances the heavier spices like cumin and chili powder.
What kind of onion powder is used?
Standard store-bought onion powder is used in a quantity of 3/4 teaspoon.
Are these burgers high in fiber?
Yes, thanks to the black beans, sweet potatoes, and quinoa, these burgers are naturally high in fiber.
How much lime juice is needed?
The juice from 1/4 of a lime is used to make the Chili Lime Mayo.
What is the role of garlic powder in this recipe?
Garlic powder adds a savory depth to the burger patties without the moisture of fresh garlic.
Can I serve these without a bun?
Absolutely, they work great as a salad topper or inside lettuce wraps.
How do I ensure the patties don't fall apart?
The combination of mashed sweet potatoes and quinoa acts as a natural binder; just be sure to form them firmly before baking.