Southwest Sweet Potato, Black Bean, and Rice Skillet Recipe
A vibrant and hearty Southwest Sweet Potato, Black Bean, and Rice Skillet that’s packed with bold spices and wholesome ingredients. This easy one-pan dish combines tender sweet potatoes, flavorful black beans, and cooked brown rice, sautéed and steamed to perfection with southwestern seasonings and melted cheese on top. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a nutritious and satisfying meal perfect for weeknight dinners.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southwestern
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cups peeled and diced sweet potato
- 1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 ounces diced green chiles
- 1/2 cup salsa or salsa verde
- 2 cups cooked brown rice
- 15 ounce can low sodium black beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- Juice of a lime
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar, colby jack, or monterey jack cheese
Instructions
- Heat the oil and sauté sweet potatoes: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced sweet potatoes along with salt and pepper and sauté for about 8 minutes until they begin to soften.
- Steam the sweet potatoes: Add 3-4 tablespoons of water to the skillet and cover it with a lid. Let the sweet potatoes steam for about 4 minutes or until fork tender, depending on the size of the cubes.
- Add remaining ingredients: Mix in the diced green chiles, black beans, cooked rice, chili powder, cumin, oregano, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salsa, chopped cilantro, lime juice, plus additional salt and pepper to taste. Stir everything thoroughly to combine.
- Melt the cheese: Sprinkle shredded cheese on top of the skillet mixture. Cover and let it cook for another 3-4 minutes until the cheese is fully melted and the dish is heated through.
- Serve: Garnish with extra cilantro, avocado slices, and a dollop of plain Greek yogurt or sour cream if desired. Serve hot.
Notes
- Use peeled and evenly diced sweet potatoes for consistent cooking.
- Adjust the amount of chili powder based on your preferred spice level.
- Brown rice should be cooked prior to starting this recipe; leftover rice works well.
- For a vegan option, omit the cheese or use a plant-based cheese alternative.
- This dish can be reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
Keywords: sweet potato, black beans, brown rice, southwestern skillet, vegetarian, quick dinner
