Sweet Potato Black Bean Enchiladas
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These vegetarian sweet potato black bean enchiladas are filled with a delicious sweet and savory mixture. They’re so flavorful, nobody will miss the meat in these vegan enchiladas.
Mexican food is a staple in my meal planning rotation. Rarely does a week go by without some form of “taco night.” My family enjoys everything from slow cooker taco soup to enchilada casseroles and cilantro lime chicken.
These gluten free sweet potato black bean enchiladas are so easy to prepare. The enchilada sauce makes them very flavorful, and they’re hearty without any meat. Even my skeptical kids enjoy them.
This is a simple dish to put together ahead of time. You just need to heat them up at dinnertime for a healthy, easy weeknight meal.
Step by Step Instructions for Sweet Potato Black Bean Enchiladas
Step One: Prepare the Tortillas
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the tortillas in a covered container and warm them in the oven while you’re preparing the other ingredients. This will make them easier to roll.
Step Two: Cook the Sweet Potatoes
Chop the sweet potatoes into bite-sized pieces (½ inch cubes). Place 3 cups of water in a large pot, and put the chopped sweet potatoes in a steamer basket in the pot. Cover the pot and bring to a boil, steaming the sweet potatoes until tender (about 10 minutes).
Step Three: Prepare the Filling
In a large skillet, saute the onion in the avocado oil for about 5 minutes, or until tender and translucent. Pour 1 cup of enchilada sauce into the pan, along with the steamed sweet potatoes, black beans, and green chiles. Stir the mixture and let it simmer for a minute, then mash the mixture a bit to blend the flavors together.
Step Four: Fill the Tortillas
Fill each tortilla with 2 tablespoons of cheese and 1/3 cup of the sweet potato filling. Roll the tortillas carefully and place them seam side down in a 9 by 13 inch baking dish. Drizzle the remaining enchilada sauce on top of the enchiladas.
Step Five: Bake the Enchiladas
Cover the pan with foil and bake for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted. Top with your favorite enchilada toppings and serve warm.
Sweet Potato Black Bean Enchilada Tips and Frequently Asked Questions
I typically use gluten free corn tortillas for this recipe, but you could also use flour tortillas. To keep the tortillas from breaking when you roll them, it’s a good idea to warm them in the oven first. Place them in a covered oven-safe dish while the oven is preheating and you’re preparing the other ingredients. You can also steam them to keep them pliable.
My homemade enchilada sauce is delicious in this recipe. It’s made of tomato sauce, chili powder, cumin, salt, and onions. You could also use your favorite store-bought enchilada sauce.
Top these enchiladas with any of your favorite toppings, including sliced jalapeno peppers, chopped avocado, and fresh cilantro. Diced red pepper and scallions can give this dish some extra crunch.
I like sharp cheddar or Monterey jack cheese, but you can use any cheese you like.
I don’t add additional sauce on these enchiladas after baking them. Too much sauce will make the enchiladas soggy, so don’t go overboard.
Sweet Potato Black Bean Enchiladas
Recommended Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 lbs sweet potatoes peeled
- 1 tbs avocado oil or olive oil
- 1 small onion diced
- 4.5 oz can diced chilis
- 2 cups enchilada sauce divided
- 15 oz black beans
- 12 corn tortillas
- 1 1/2 cups grated cheddar cheese 4 oz
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the tortillas in a covered oven-safe dish and warm them in the oven while you're preparing the other ingredients. This will make them easier to roll.
- Chop the sweet potatoes into bite-sized pieces (½ inch cubes). Place 3 cups of water in a large pot, and put the chopped sweet potatoes in a steamer basket in the pot. Cover the pot and bring to a boil, steaming the sweet potatoes until tender (about 10 minutes).
- Meanwhile, in a large skillet, saute the onion in the avocado oil for about 5 minutes, or until tender and translucent. Add 1 cup of enchilada sauce, the steamed sweet potatoes, black beans, and diced chilis to the pan (Rinse the beans first if you're using canned). Simmer for a minute.
- Mash the filling a bit with a spoon, then fill each tortilla with 2 tablespoons of cheese and 1/3 cup of the sweet potato filling. Roll the tortillas carefully and place them seam side down in a greased 9 by 13 inch pan.
- Spread the remaining enchilada sauce on top of the enchiladas, then cover the pan with foil. Bake covered for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted. Top with your favorite enchilada toppings (e.g. jalapenos, sour cream, avocado) and serve warm.
Approximate Nutrition Info
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Sweet Potato Black Bean Enchilada Price Breakdown
This recipe costs $7.82 to make, or $1.30 per serving (2 enchiladas). Enjoy these sweet potato black bean enchiladas for a tasty vegetarian twist on taco night.
Note: This post was originally published in 2014, and it was updated in 2022.
Does this freeze well?
I haven’t frozen this, but I think it would freeze well. Some tortillas are more freezer-friendly than others, so I think that would be the key.
I made this last week and it was delicious! The directions were easy to follow and I will make it again. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Thanks for letting me know, Patricia. I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
I love all things enchilada! Black beans are a total bonus!
The sweet potato – black bean combo is one of my favorites. Thanks for sharing your homemade enchilada sauce recipe. I look forward to trying it!
Thanks, Marisa! I hope you enjoy it.
Your story cracks me up! I hate grating cheese too, but it was because I sliced my finger open on a cheese grater once. I think I was more upset that I couldn’t eat my cheese now that it was cover in blood 🙁 Your enchiladas look so yummy (and simple!)
Yum! Also, I totally empathize with the cheese grating. It can be so exhausting! I work in a restaurant kitchen and sometimes I have to grate garlic… which is an even bigger pain, because garlic cloves are much smaller than a block of cheese!
Thanks, Genevieve! I’m glad someone can relate. I grate garlic with a microplane, which is positively dangerous. But I don’t like little chunks of garlic in my food. 🙂
looks so cheesy good! Yum!
Thanks, Cindy!
i love enchillada and try to incorporate something Mexican everyweek as well. this is a great idea!
Thanks, Dixya! It’s a great quick meal.