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This Sweet Potato & Black Bean Stew is absolutely packed full of colour, flavour and goodness: sweet potato and black beans simmered in tomatoes with turmeric, paprika and a little chilli. It is so simple to make and uses only one pot! It’s also one of the most popular recipes I have ever created, so I am sure you’re going to enjoy it too. Love sweet potato in a stew? Try my Peanut Stew next.
Sweet Potato & Black Bean Stew at a Glance
James's tipCut the sweet potato into small, even cubes so every piece cooks through at the same time, then simmer with the lid on until the stew is as thick as you like.
Key ingredients
- Sweet potato
- Black beans
- Chopped tomatoes
- Spinach
Why you'll love it
- About 453 kcal a portion
- 17g of protein and 22g of fibre a portion
- One pot and only 10 minutes of prep
Quick summary
This sweet potato and black bean stew simmers sweet potato, two tins of black beans and chopped tomatoes with turmeric, paprika, coriander and a little chilli, then finishes with spinach. It takes 40 minutes in one pot, serves 4 and is about 453 kcal a portion.
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Why this recipe works
This Sweet Potato & Black Bean Stew is the perfect comforting dish to make during this cold weather. One of the best parts about this recipe is there is minimal prep and you simply chuck all the ingredients into one pot to cook down. No hassle, minimal effort and incredibly simple to make, give it a go!
I was inspired to create this recipe as my Hearty Potato Stew and 15 Minute Chickpea Stew recipes have been so popular! However, this recipe has a different combination of spices that really take the Sweet Potato and Black Bean Stew to the next level. Paired with rice or fluffy quinoa (here’s my How to Cook Quinoa guide), you won’t look back! I can guarantee this recipe will be on a weekly rotation in your household!
Ingredients to make Sweet Potato & Black Bean Stew
- Spinach: this adds some greenery and extra nutrition. Alternatively, kale would work nicely too!
- Tomato Puree: this adds flavour, depth and body to the stew (it is called tomato paste in the US).
- Canned Tomatoes: add the perfect amount of liquid to the stew and also provides a rich and sweet flavour with a touch of acidity.
- Ground Coriander: a fresh tasting spice, that is floral and citrusy.
- Paprika: this spice provides a round, woody, smokey flavour that really takes this Sweet Potato and Black Bean Stew to the next level! Smoked paprika works well too.
- Turmeric: an earthy spice, which helps provide depth to the flavours of the stew.
- Chilli Flakes: these provide a subtle, yet gentle heat to the Black Bean and Sweet Potato Stew.
- Cayenne Pepper: adds depth, body and a gentle spice to the stew.
- Vegetable Stock: adds to the general flavour as well as adding body and depth to the recipe. No stock? Use 400ml of water instead; it will just have a little less depth.
- Black Beans: a great source of plant-based protein and adds some texture.
- Onion: I’ve used a red onion here, however you could use a white onion if you preferred.
- Garlic: adding garlic offers a gentle spice and adds more flavour.
- Sweet Potato: these have a mild and starchy flavour along with a sweetness than an ordinary potato doesn’t have. If you have any spare then also try my Sweet Potato Soup or Sweet Potato Satay Curry.
See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Substitutions
- Sweet Potato: this Sweet Potato and Black Bean recipe would also work well with butternut squash instead of sweet potato. If you are a butternut squash lover, then my Coconut Dhal (made with butternut squash) is one you should try!
- Black Beans: these could be substituted for another bean such as chickpeas or even tinned lentils if you preferred. Red kidney beans work too.
- Onion: I’ve used a red onion as there is already a lot of flavour in this recipe, however you could use a white onion for a stronger flavour if desired.
- Spinach: kale would also work well in this recipe, if using kale, I would cook this for around 5 minutes to allow the kale to fully soften.
Variations
- Slow Cooker: Add everything to the slow cooker pot as listed apart from the 400ml of stock, and just add a stock pot or cube instead. Fry the onion, garlic and spices first, then cook on high for 1 hour and on low for another 4 hours. The sweet potato stays whole.
- Deluxe: this recipe is already incredibly tasty, however if you have dinner guests and would like to take it to the next level, be sure to add some chopped coriander on top and serve it with some fresh lime wedges! You could even accompany it with my Gluten Free Flatbread or Best Gluten Free Naan Bread to really soak up the sauce and flavours!
- Kid-friendly: I make all my dishes mild for all to enjoy, however if you have a child who is particularly sensitive to spice you could reduce the quantities of cayenne pepper and chilli flakes which would make it even milder.
- Meat: you could also add some meat into this recipe such as diced chicken (add it in step 2 and make sure it is cooked through with no pink left).
Instructions to make Sweet Potato & Black Bean Stew
Step 1: Firstly, peel and chop the sweet potatoes into small cubes and dice the red onion.
Step 2: Heat a large pot on a medium heat with olive oil and add crushed garlic, onion and spices and then fry together for a couple of minutes.
Step 3: Then add the tinned tomatoes, black beans, sweet potato, tomato puree, vegetable stock and a pinch of pepper and stir together.
Step 4: Bring to a boil then reduce to a low heat placing the lid on the pan for 20 to 25 minutes, until the sweet potato is tender and the stew is your desired consistency (I like mine fairly thick). Finally, stir through the spinach until it wilts.
Hint: Cut the sweet potato into small, even cubes (about 2cm) so they all cook through at the same time. Got a spare sweet potato? My Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges make a great side.
Leftovers
Always make extras as this tastes even better the next day! Allow it to cool, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days, or freeze it for up to 3 months. Reheat in a pan with a splash of water, or in the microwave, until steaming hot all the way through. Batch cooking for the freezer? My Slow Cooker Vegan Chilli is another great one.
Recipe FAQs
No, I make my dishes mild for everyone to enjoy. If you are particularly sensitive to spice, reduce the cayenne pepper and chilli flakes (¼ tsp cayenne keeps it really gentle). Alternatively, if spice is your vice, then feel free to increase these quantities!
Absolutely. Serving it with quinoa adds a little more protein, or you could add diced chicken at step 2 (cook it through until no pink is left).
Yes. Allow it to cool, then freeze it in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Defrost it overnight in the fridge and reheat it in a pan until steaming hot all the way through. In the fridge it keeps for up to 2 days.
Yes, they make a great pair. Black beans add protein and fibre and sweet potato adds slow release carbs, so a portion of this stew has about 17g of protein and 22g of fibre for about 453 kcal (calculated from the recipe card).
Soften onion, garlic and spices in a little oil, then add tinned tomatoes, black beans, cubed sweet potato, tomato puree and stock. Simmer with the lid on for 20 to 25 minutes until the sweet potato is tender, then stir through spinach.
Warm them through with spices like the turmeric, paprika and chilli in this stew, or try my Black Bean Quesadillas for a quick lunch.
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Sweet Potato & Black Bean Stew
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil/coconut oil
- 2 large garlic cloves,, crushed
- 1 red onion,, diced
- 1 heaped tsp turmeric
- 1 pinch chilli flakes
- 1/2 tsp ground coriander
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 800 g sweet potatoes,, about 2 large, peeled and chopped into small cubes
- 1 tbsp tomato puree
- 2x 400g cans tomatoes
- 2x 400g cans black beans,, drained and rinsed
- 400 ml veg stock
- 2-3 handfuls fresh spinach or kale
- salt & pepper
Instructions
- Firstly, peel and chop the sweet potatoes into small cubes and dice the red onion.
- Heat a large pot on a medium heat with olive oil and add crushed garlic, onion and spices and then fry together for a couple of minutes.
- Then add the tinned tomatoes, black beans (drained), sweet potato, tomato puree, vegetable stock and a pinch of pepper and stir together.
- Bring to a boil then reduce to a low heat, placing the lid on the pan for 20 to 25 minutes, until the sweet potato is tender and the stew is your desired consistency (I like mine fairly thick).
- Finally, add the spinach and stir through until it wilts and it's ready to serve.
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Just made this today and it turned out great. Very pleased with it and it tastes so good, will definitely be making again.
Yay! So pleased you enjoyed it Cheryl 🙂 thanks for sharing your feedback!
I liked this recipe, but next time i’ll use more vegetables and less potatoes. Thanks!
I have now made this twice and it’s a fabulous recipe! Thank you! Easily enough for four, so I halved the recipe the second time. First time, as I had so much, I ended up adding the spinach to one half, as per the recipe, then I added mushrooms and red pepper to the other half and topped with mashed potatoes, leeks and vegan cheese to make a sort of vegan cottage pie.
Hey Caroline, love that you enjoyed it and that’s such a great idea with the leftovers, never thought of doing that. I might try it next time so thank you for sharing 🙂
I loved the recipe. For my leftovers I plan to freeze for an easy dinner. What would you suggest on the best way to reheat the leftovers?
Hey Maria, so pleased you enjoyed it and thanks for leaving a review! You can either reheat in a pan on a simmer (you may need to add a little bit of water) or use a microwave if you prefer.
Really enjoyed this!
Yay so pleased, thank you for leaving feedback Joi!
What a beautiful dish! My 9 month old could not get enough! My picky 3 year old wouldn’t eat the beans and lentils I put in but did love the sauce which is a big thumbs up! I had run out of tomato paste so did not add any, or any chilli and only added a small dash of cayenne pepper so that it was suitable for my little girls. A really lovely tasting dish.
So glad I’ve found your site, will be trying alot more recipes. Thank you for sharing 🙂
Aww thank you for the lovely feedback Patricia, so pleased everyone enjoyed it! Enjoy the rest of my recipes 🙂
I put all of the ingredients in a slow cooker and it turned out great! Very tasty and healthy.
Hey Joss, so pleased it worked well for you in your slow cooker! Thanks for sharing 🙂
This is so easy to make and is delicious. I have to admit, I was sceptical as during the simmering the taste of turmeric seemed to overpower the dish a little, however ‘fully cooked’ the flavours are absolutely perfect and I’m so glad I’ve made it! I love this type of dish as I can freeze portions for the days when putting a healthy and nutritious meal together is just not going to happen! Thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe! P.s. I’m a hungry Horace and I got 6 portions out of this recipe.
Yay so pleased you enjoyed it PeeBee! Thank you so much for sharing your feedback.
James
Aww thank you so much Rosalind! So happy you both enjoyed it 🙂 enjoy all the other recipes.
Such a great dish! I’ve made this twice in the last month – once just for my boyfriend and I and another time when cooking for a large crowd (I tripled the recipe and added corn and the flavor still came through very nicely!). I got tons of compliments on this and will definitely be adding it to my regular recipes list 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
LOVE this Sarah!!! Thank you so much for sharing your great review and I am really pleased everyone enjoyed it 🙂
Thank you! I’m going to make right now. Can’t wait!
We are not vegetarian but enjoy eating vegetarian meals twice a week or more. Just made this lovely tasty stew, recommend by my sister, who loves it. My husband and I thought it was great. One for my recipe file thank you , no going to check out some of your other recipes to try.
Hello – Do you use whole canned tomatoes? Thank you.
Hey Kate,
I use 2 cans of tinned chopped tomatoes 🙂 hope that helps.
James