20 Wholesome Vegan Sweet Potato Recipes

June 21, 2021

Baked, roasted, mashed, or steamed, a sweet potato can be the star of any meal! Here are 20 wholesome vegan sweet potato recipes that showcase the versatility of this tasty, nourishing root vegetable.

Two baked sweet potatoes have been stuffed with a colorful mixture of kale, raw vegetables, and almonds.

I have never met a sweet potato I didn’t like.

I’ll eat sweet potatoes baked, steamed, fried, mashed, or hashed. I love them in salads, burgers, tacos, soup, and even dessert.

If you have a sweet potato on hand, you have the foundation for plant-based a meal. I can’t tell you how often a baked sweet potato, topped or stuffed with beans and greens and sauce, has turned into dinner.

As life reopens, many of us are excited to spend less time in the domestic sphere. I know I’m not the only person who’s gone through phases of major cooking fatigue this year.

Yet cooking still gives me joy, when it doesn’t overwhelm me. I’ve found that the trick is to keep making recipes that feel simple and manageable. Many of these 20 vegan sweet potatoes are wonderfully simple, including the quinoa kale stuffed sweet potatoes that I’ll be sharing at the end.

Sweet potato benefits

Sweet potatoes are as nutrient dense as they are tasty. They’re famously good sources of beta carotene, the precursor to vitamin A. Beta carotene is converted to vitamin A in the body. Vitamin A, in turn, contributes to healthy vision, growth, proper cell division, and immune function.

Sweet potatoes are a great source of dietary fiber. They’re complex carbohydrates, which is a type of carbohydrate that is digested relatively slowly and impacts blood sugar steadily, without dramatic rises or falls.

In addition, sweet potatoes are an excellent source of vitamin C, vitamin B6, which plays a role in protein metabolism, and potassium, which aids in nerve function and fluid balance.

How to bake sweet potatoes

In spite of the fact that there are many ways to prepare sweet potatoes, I end up baking them more often than not. Many of the following vegan sweet potato recipes feature potatoes that have been oven baked.

There are different approaches to baking sweet potatoes, including a “low and slow” method that works well. However, I usually opt for a shorter baking time.

My main way of baking sweet potatoes is to scrub them, prick them, and transfer them to a foil or parchment lined baking sheet. I bake them in a preheated, 425F oven for 40-60 minutes.

The big variance in cooking time is because sweet potatoes vary a lot in size! A small sweet potato might take 40 minutes, while a large one can take 60 or even a little more.

You’ll know your sweet potatoes are ready when they can be easily pierced through with a fork or knife. I like sweet potatoes that are almost meltingly tender.

Types of sweet potatoes

Potatoes are often lumped into broad categories of white vs. sweet, but there are many varieties of sweet potato. I use sweet potatoes with orange flesh most often, usually jewel or garnet sweet potatoes.

That said, I also love purple sweet potatoes. There are many varieties of these, and they vary in color and size. I use Murasaki sweet potatoes and Stokes Purple sweet potatoes often. I love their distinctive flavors, and I especially love the color of Stokes Purple sweet potatoes.

20 wholesome vegan sweet potato recipes

Sweet potato meals make me feel grounded and nourished in a very particular way. It’s part of why I love eating them so much. The following vegan sweet potato recipes showcase the many ways in which sweet potatoes can be used.

But I hope all of them, including my simple—yet very cozy—quinoa kale stuffed sweet potatoes, will give you a sense of sweet satisfaction.

Tahini Mustard Sweet Potato, Lentil, and Arugula Salad
This lentil tahini sweet potato salad is bursting with flavor, texture, and plant-powered nutrition! Made with roasted sweet potatoes, juicy cherry tomatoes, lentils for protein, and a bold, mustardy tahini dressing.
A round white plate has been covered in a colorful, creamy lentil tahini sweet potato salad.
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Curried Sweet Potato Lentils
These curried sweet potato lentils are so delicious and easy to make! They're ready in under an hour, and the leftovers will keep you satisfied for days.
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Unfussy Sweet Potato Black Bean Burgers
These unfussy sweet potato black bean burgers come together easily, but they pack a lot of flavor! They're also full of healthful ingredients, including black beans, sweet potatoes, rolled oats, and pumpkin seeds. Great for meal prepping and freezing.
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Tandoori Spiced Sweet Potatoes and Chickpeas
These tandoori spiced sweet potatoes and chickpeas make for a vibrant, filling plant-based meal. Packed with flavor and great for sharing!
A bowl of stuffed sweet potatoes that have been topped with spice-roasted chickpeas, herbs, and a drizzle of tahini sauce.
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Mini Sweet Potato Casseroles
Mini sweet potato casseroles are a single-serve spin on the classic, cozy holiday dessert. They're perfect for a small, one or two-person Thanksgiving celebration.
A small ramekin holds a single serving of vegan sweet potato casserole.
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Lentil Sweet Potato Salad
This mustardy lentil sweet potato salad can be eaten on its own, on toast, or with crackers! It's a super flavorful, nutritious plant-based spread that's perfect for meal prep.
A white ramekin has been filled with a lentil sweet potato salad and is accompanied by crackers.
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Easy Vegan Black Bean Sweet Potato Tacos
These easy vegan black bean sweet potato tacos are made with ingredients that you probably have in your fridge and pantry already!
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Simple Sweet Potato and Roasted Red Pepper Soup
This vegan sweet potato red pepper soup is so easy to make! Keep it simple, or use one of my seasoning suggestions to vary the flavors. It can be prepared with fresh red peppers in summertime or roasted bell peppers from the jar.
Two bowls of vegan red pepper and potato soup are positioned close to each other, with some rustic bread croutons in the bowls and resting nearby.
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Sweet Potato Chickpea Burgers
These sweet potato chickpea burgers are vegan, gluten-free, and so easy to make. They're also a versatile plant-based protein! Serve them traditionally, in a burger bun, or add them to bowls, wraps, and salads.
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Wild Rice Vegan Stuffing with Roasted Sweet Potato & Apple
This plant-based wild rice stuffing with roasted sweet potatoes and apple will brighten your holiday table. It's festive, filling, and nutritious.
An overhead photograph of a bowl of sweet potatoes, pomegranate arils, and wild rice.
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Coconut Sweet Potato Rice and Beans
This sweet potato coconut rice and beans is accompanied by a bright, cashew cilantro lime sauce. It's so hearty and healthful, and it's bursting with flavor.
A large, oval serving dish is filled with coconut sweet potato rice and beans, and it's covered with a green sauce.
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Sweet Potato Bulgur Citrus Salad
This citrusy sweet potato bulgur salad is so hearty and filling, yet fresh and bright! It's made with nutritious roasted sweet potatoes, bulgur wheat, an orange-infused dressing, and chopped fresh mint. It's equally good hot or cold, and you can make it for any season of the year.
A wide-rimmed, white bowl is filled with a cooked vegan whole grain and sweet potato salad with herbs.
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Sweet Potato and Roasted Red Pepper Quesadillas
These roasted red pepper sweet potato quesadillas are a healthy and tasty vegan lunch! They use creamy sweet potato and white beans in place of traditional cheese. You can roast your sweet potatoes in advance to cut down on preparation time.
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Sweet Potato Hummus
This vegan sweet potato hummus is a non-traditional spin on chickpea hummus. It incorporates cooked sweet potato for creaminess and subtle sweetness.
Sweet potato hummus
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Vegan Sweet Potato and Lentil Shepherd’s Pie
Vegan sweet potato lentil shepherd's pie is the perfect hearty and wholesome main dish for your holiday table. It's an untraditional version of the classic dish, made with layers of herbed lentils and pillowy mashed sweet potatoes.
A small, rectangular baking dish is filled with a vegan sweet potato lentil shepherds pie.
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Lentil and Sweet Potato Loaf
Vegan lentil sweet potato loaf is healthy comfort food at its finest. It's made with nutritious lentils, sweet potato, and rolled oats. This is a great dish to freezer or make ahead for holiday gatherings!
Lentil and Sweet Potato Loaf | The Full Helping
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Moroccan Inspired Sweet Potatoes
These Moroccan-inspired Sweet Potatoes from the Power Plates cookbook are hearty and full of flavor! They're also a guaranteed crowd pleaser and perfect for entertaining.
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Creamy Sweet Potato & Roasted Red Pepper Spread
This creamy sweet potato & roasted red pepper spread is sweet savory, silky smooth, and very versatile. It's a great addition to vegan sandwiches or wraps.
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Sweet Potato Black Bean Enchiladas
These vegan sweet potato black bean enchiladas are my favorite enchiladas! They're absolutely delicious and packed with nutritious ingredients. I make them with a flavorful tomatillo sauce.
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Stuffed Sweet Potato Skins
These vegan quinoa and kale stuffed sweet potato skins are super nutritious and hearty. Plus, they're a smart way to utilize sweet potato skins, which are full of gut-friendly fiber!
Two baked sweet potatoes have been stuffed with a colorful mixture of kale, raw vegetables, and almonds.
Get the recipe

It’s worth highlighting those tasty stuffed sweet potatoes above. I first made them years ago, when I was still a pre-med student. At the time, I was often caught between my desire to eat wholesome, homemade food and the scarcity of my time.

If I could put aside a (mostly passive) hour for baking, then I could very quickly make those stuffed sweet potatoes. They were always super nourishing and healthful, packed with fresh veggies. But they also tasted great. Win, win.

Here’s how I make them.

Two baked sweet potatoes have been stuffed with a colorful mixture of kale, raw vegetables, and almonds.
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20 Wholesome Vegan Sweet Potato Recipes: Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

These vegan quinoa and kale stuffed sweet potatoes are super nutritious and hearty! They're a great way to use the whole sweet potato. Also, 20 of my favorite and most wholesome vegan sweet potato recipes.
Course main, Main Course, side
Cuisine American
Diet Gluten Free, Low Calorie, Low Fat, Low Lactose, Vegan, Vegetarian
Keyword kale, salad, sweet potatoes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Cooling time 15 minutes
Servings 2 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 medium large sweet potatoes, scrubbed
  • 1/2 cup dry quinoa (rinsed)
  • 4 cups packed, washed and finely chopped kale leaves 
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon maple or agave syrup (optional)
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 large carrot, grated
  • 1 red or yellow bell pepper, diced
  • 1 stalk celery, diced
  • 1/4 cup chopped green onion tops  (optional)
  • 1/4 cup toasted, slivered or sliced almonds

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 425F. Prick each potato a few times with a fork. Transfer the potatoes to a baking sheet and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until each potato is fork tender. Allow the potatoes to cool for about 15 minutes, or until they can be handled.
  • While the potatoes cook, place the quinoa in a fine sieve. Rinse it under running water for about a minute. Transfer it to a small saucepan and add 1 scant cup water. Bring the quinoa to a boil and then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer the quinoa for 13 minutes. Remove the quinoa from heat, fluff it gently with a fork, and then re-cover and allow it to steam for 5 minutes.
  • Place the kale in a medium sized mixing bowl. Add the oil, lemon, salt, pepper, and shallot. Place the quinoa in a mixing bowl. Whisk together the oil, apple cider vinegar, mustard, agave syrup if using, salt, and pepper. Massage this dressing into the kale, until the kale is very well dressed and softening. Add the cooked quinoa, carrot, pepper, celery, and green onion. Mix well. 
  • When the potatoes have cooled, cut them in half lengthwise and then gently scoop out most of the flesh. Chop the flesh roughly and add it to the quinoa kale mixture, along with the almonds. Stuff as much of the quinoa and kale salad as you can into each half of the sweet potato skin. Serve, along with any leftover filling.

Enjoy the recipes!

xo

The post 20 Wholesome Vegan Sweet Potato Recipes appeared first on The Full Helping.

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