Packed with tender purple sweet potatoes, cozy cinnamon, smoky harissa, and hearty black beans, these healthy Purple Sweet Potato Black Bean Tacos are colorful and comforting. They are so easy and quick to make on a busy weeknight.

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Spicy purple sweet potato and black bean tacos

These black bean purple sweet potato tacos are vegetarian, fiber-packed, budget-friendly, and loaded with bold flavor. They are a fusion blend of African Harissa and South Asian Garam Masala in Mexican Tacos!

Whether you're meal prepping for the week or feeding hungry family members around the table, this recipe delivers every single time.

Why I Love These Purple Sweet Potato Black Bean Tacos:

So quick: prepping the ingredients for this recipe takes about 10 minutes or less, and the cook time is around 15 minutes, which means I can have dinner ready in less than 30 minutes!
Naturally vegetarian and easily customizable to fit other dietary needs.
Loaded with warming spices and a delicious balance of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors.
This spin on traditional taco recipes is great for meal prepping.

The combination of harissa, cinnamon, and garam masala creates an unexpected flavor blend that works beautifully with sweet potatoes and black beans. Every bite is earthy, slightly smoky, gently sweet, and deeply satisfying.

And, this filling can be enjoyed in a bowl as well as in tacos.

Ingredients

For the Filling

Yellow onion
Purple sweet potatoes
Olive oil
Water
Powdered harissa
Ground cinnamon
Garam masala
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Fresh cilantro
Can of black beans

For Serving

Warm tortillas
Extra cilantro
Lime wedges
Avocado slices and/or guacamole
Pico de gallo and/or salsa

prepping the purple sweet potatoes for this easy dish

How to Make this Sweet Potato Black Bean Tacos Recipe

Step 1: Prep the ingredients

Peel and chop the onion. Peel and chop the purple sweet potatoes into approximately ½ inch squares. The smaller the pieces, the quicker they cook. And, drain and rinse the canned black beans.

Step 2: Sauté the Onion

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for about 7 minutes until soft and slightly golden brown.

This step builds the savory base of the taco filling, so don't rush it.

Step 3: Cook the Purple Sweet Potatoes

Add the peeled and chopped purple sweet potatoes to the skillet.
Pour in 2 tablespoons of water, cover the pan, and pan fry these potatoes for 4 minutes over medium heat.
Uncover, stir well, add another tablespoon of water, then cover again and roast for about 2 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are fork-tender. If they are cut small enough, the purple sweet potatoes will cook in about 6-7 minutes.

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Step 4: Add the Spices

Stir in the harissa, cinnamon, and drained black beans to the roasted sweet potatoes and black bean mixture. Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.

Then fold in the garam masala, stirring well to coat the ingredients evenly. Season generously with salt and pepper to taste. Toss on some chopped cilantro. At this point, my kitchen smells absolutely incredible.

Step 5: Assemble the Tacos

Pile the sweet potato black bean filling into warm tortillas and top with your favorite toppings. A squeeze of lime brightens everything up beautifully.

delicious spicy purple sweet potato and black bean skillet

Tips for the Best Sweet Potato Black Bean Tacos

Use Purple Sweet Potatoes if You Can

Purple sweet potatoes add stunning color and a slightly denser texture that holds up wonderfully in tacos. Orange sweet potatoes work too if that's what you have on hand.

Don't Skip the Harissa

Harissa adds smoky heat and depth that balances the sweetness of the potatoes perfectly. This is the brand I use often, which can be found on Amazon. Do keep in mind that the harissa and garam masala do make the purple sweet potatoes a tad less purple.

Warm Your Tortillas

Warm tortillas make a huge difference. A quick char over a gas flame, a few seconds in a hot skillet over medium high heat, or baking them for a short time on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet adds amazing flavor.

Serving Suggestions

By the way, I have got to say, this purple sweet potato and black bean filling is delicious as is. It can be added to a bowl with some celery, avocado, and tomatoes. And, it can be enjoyed in tacos as well!

These vegetarian tacos pair beautifully with:

Cilantro lime rice or turmeric quinoa
Fresh guacamole or avocado crema and sour cream
Mango chutney or hot sauce
Corn salad, or this tasty and refreshing mango salad

They're also fantastic with a side of tortilla chips and your favorite salsa for an easy taco night spread.

Spicy purple sweet potato and black bean bowls or tacos

Storage Tips

Store leftover filling in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

The filling reheats beautifully in a skillet or microwave, making these tacos excellent for meal prep lunches throughout the week.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use different spices?

Absolutely. The harissa, garam masala, and cinnamon can be replaced with a mix of cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper.

Can I use orange sweet potatoes instead?

Yes. Orange sweet potatoes will create a softer, sweeter filling but still taste delicious.

Are these tacos spicy?

The harissa adds mild to medium heat. You can easily adjust the spice level by using more or less. Want it milder? Use this mild harissa. If you prefer it spicier, then use a pinch of chili powder.

These Sweet Potato Black Bean Tacos are proof that simple pantry ingredients can create something deeply flavorful and satisfying. The warming spices, tender sweet potatoes, hearty black beans, and fresh cilantro come together in the most delicious way.

They're vibrant, nourishing, comforting, and exactly the kind of meal that makes weeknight cooking feel exciting again.

Delicious well spiced black bean and purple sweet potato tacos

Purple Sweet Potato Black Bean Tacos with Harissa and Garam Masala

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 15

Total Time: 25

Servings:

Author: Shashi

Packed with tender purple sweet potatoes, cozy cinnamon, smoky harissa, and hearty black beans, these Purple Sweet Potato Black Bean Tacos are colorful and comforting. They are so easy and quick to make on a busy weeknight.

Ingredients

1 Onion (medium sized yellow onion or red onion)
2 Purple sweet potatoes (these weren't too large, about medium sized. BTW, I got these from Whole Foods)
3 tbsp. water
2 teaspoon harissa
1 teaspoon Ceylon cinnamon
1 teaspoon garam masala
2 tbsp. cilantro fresh cilantro chopped up)

Instructions

Peel and chop the onion. Peel and chop the purple sweet potatoes into approximately ½ inch squares. The smaller the pieces, the quicker they cook. And, drain and rinse the canned black beans.
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for about 7 minutes until soft and slightly golden brown.
Add the peeled and chopped purple sweet potatoes to the skillet.
Pour in 2 tablespoons of water, cover the pan, and pan fry these potatoes for 4 minutes over medium heat.
Uncover, stir well, add another tablespoon of water, then cover again and roast for about 2 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are fork-tender. If they are cut small enough, the purple sweet potatoes will cook in about 6-7 minutes.
Stir in the harissa, cinnamon, and drained black beans to the roasted sweet potatoes and black bean mixture. Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
Then fold in the garam masala, stirring well to coat the ingredients evenly. Season generously with salt and pepper to taste. Toss on some chopped cilantro.
Pile the sweet potato black bean filling into warm tortillas and top with your favorite toppings. Or, enjoy these in bowls with chopped celery, avocado, tomatoes, and tofu or chicken.

Notes

*The nutritional information below pertains to the Purple Sweet Potato Black Bean filling only and does not include the tacos or any toppings.

Tips for the Best Sweet Potato Black Bean Tacos

Use Purple Sweet Potatoes if You Can
Purple sweet potatoes add stunning color and a slightly denser texture that holds up wonderfully in tacos. Orange sweet potatoes work too if that’s what you have on hand.

Don’t Skip the Harissa
Harissa adds smoky heat and depth that balances the sweetness of the potatoes perfectly. This is the brand I use often. Do keep in mind that the harissa and garam masala do make the purple sweet potatoes a tad less purple.

Warm Your Tortillas
Warm tortillas make a huge difference. A quick char over a gas flame, a few seconds in a hot skillet over medium high heat, or baking them for a short time on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet adds amazing flavor.