Equal Parts Sweet Potato and Black Bean Taco Filling

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A balanced taco filling featuring half sweet potato and half black beans, slow-cooked with spices for a hearty, vegetarian meal. This mexican-inspired vegetarian (vegan-friendly) ready in about 20 minutes pairs diced into 1/2-inch cubes sweet potato, rinsed and drained black beans, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Mexican cuisine 220 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add 1/2 cup diced sweet potato and 1/2 cup rinsed black beans, stirring to combine, and cook for 5 minutes until sweet potato is tender.
  2. Step 2: Stir in 1/2 tsp cumin, 1/4 tsp chili powder, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Cook for 2 more minutes until spices are fragrant and flavors meld.
  3. Step 3: Warm 4 corn tortillas in a dry skillet for 30 seconds per side. Fill with sweet potato-bean mixture, top with 1 sliced avocado, 2 tbsp chopped cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Equal Parts Sweet Potato and Black Bean Taco Filling take to make?

Total time is about 20 minutes (10 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Equal Parts Sweet Potato and Black Bean Taco Filling?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Equal Parts Sweet Potato and Black Bean Taco Filling?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Equal Parts Sweet Potato and Black Bean Taco Filling for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Equal Parts Sweet Potato and Black Bean Taco Filling vegan-friendly?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan-friendly based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

What others are saying