Zesty Southwest Sweet Potato, Black Bean & Rice Skillet Recipe

Weeknight dinners demand quick, satisfying meals that burst with flavor and southwest sweet potato, black bean, and rice skillet delivers exactly that.

Packed with vibrant ingredients, this one-pan wonder combines hearty vegetables and protein-rich beans.

Colorful sweet potatoes add a delightful sweetness that balances perfectly with earthy black beans.

Fragrant spices dance through each bite, creating a meal that feels both comforting and exciting.

The rice soaks up all the delicious seasonings, making every forkful a celebration of southwestern cuisine.

This skillet comes together effortlessly, promising a nutritious dinner in under 30 minutes.

You’ll love how simple ingredients transform into an incredible meal that everyone at the table will devour.

Easy Steps For Southwest Sweet Potato Black Bean And Rice Skillet

• Veggie Sizzle

Warm up a pan with a splash of olive oil, then toss in chopped onions, bell peppers, and sweet potato cubes. Let them dance and soften for a few minutes. Add a burst of garlic and let its aroma fill the kitchen.

• Flavor Fusion

Drop in uncooked rice, black beans, juicy tomatoes, vegetable broth, and a sprinkle of southwestern spices. Give everything a good stir and let it simmer gently under a cozy lid. The rice will slowly absorb all those delicious flavors.

• Final Touch

Scatter some bright corn kernels into the skillet and let them warm through. Pull the pan off the heat and brighten everything with a squeeze of zesty lime juice.

• Celebration Serve

Crown your creation with fresh cilantro and any extra toppings that make your taste buds happy. Dive into a colorful meal bursting with southwestern spirit.

Tips For A Better Southwest Sweet Potato Black Bean And Rice Skillet

• Veggie Power Boost: Swap sweet potatoes with butternut squash or carrots for a different nutrient-packed twist. Each alternative adds unique flavor and maintains the dish's hearty profile.
• Protein Punch: Transform this recipe into a protein-rich meal by adding shredded chicken, ground turkey, or scrambled tofu. These options make the skillet more filling and versatile for meat lovers and vegetarians.
• Spice Level Control: Adjust heat by increasing or decreasing chili powder. For mild lovers, use just a pinch; for heat seekers, add cayenne pepper or diced jalapeños to kick up the temperature.
• Gluten-Free Friendly: Ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free, particularly vegetable broth and spices. Brown rice or quinoa work perfectly as alternative grains for those with gluten sensitivities.
• One-Pot Meal Hack: Prep ingredients ahead of time and store in containers for quick weeknight dinners. This skillet reheats wonderfully and tastes even better the next day as flavors continue to meld together.

How To Serve Southwest Sweet Potato Black Bean And Rice Skillet

• Fiesta Flavor Enhancers: Sprinkle crumbled queso fresco or cotija cheese on top for a tangy Mexican-style kick.
• Creamy Cool Companions: Top with sliced avocado, a dollop of Greek yogurt, or sour cream to balance the dish's warm spices.
• Fresh Zesty Finish: Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro, extra lime wedges, and a handful of crispy tortilla strips for added crunch and brightness.
• Protein Power Boost: Add grilled chicken, shredded rotisserie chicken, or black beans for extra protein and a more substantial meal.

Save And Store Southwest Sweet Potato Black Bean And Rice Skillet

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftovers in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking, keeping the meal fresh for 35 days in the refrigerator.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Pack cooled skillet contents in freezer-safe containers, maintaining quality for up to 3 months when sealed properly.
• Reheating Technique: Warm refrigerated portions in microwave with splash of vegetable broth, stirring midway to distribute heat evenly and prevent dryness.
• Ingredient Separation Tip: Keep fresh garnishes like cilantro, avocado, and cheese separate from main dish during storage to maintain optimal texture and prevent sogginess.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 360 kcal

Servings: 3

What Goes In Southwest Sweet Potato Black Bean And Rice Skillet

• Olive Oil: Provides a smooth, rich foundation for sautéing and enhancing flavor depth.
• Onion: Adds sweet, savory undertones and creates a flavor-packed base for the dish.
• Bell Pepper: Brings vibrant color, crisp texture, and subtle sweetness to the skillet.
• Sweet Potato: Delivers hearty, nutritious bulk with a naturally sweet and creamy character.
• Garlic: Introduces a bold, punchy aroma that deepens the overall taste profile.

• Black Beans: Packed with protein and fiber, creating a satisfying and nutritious core.
• Rice: Serves as a fluffy, filling base that absorbs all the delicious southwestern spices.

• Diced Tomatoes: Adds bright acidity and moisture to bind the ingredients together.
• Vegetable Broth: Creates a rich, seamless cooking liquid that infuses extra flavor.
• Chili Powder, Cumin, Smoked Paprika: Blend southwestern spices for an authentic, zesty kick.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Fundamental seasonings that balance and elevate all other ingredients.
• Frozen Corn: Introduces sweet, juicy bursts of texture and color.
• Lime Juice: Provides a fresh, tangy brightness that lifts the entire dish.
• Cilantro: Offers a fresh, herbal note that complements the robust flavors.

• Cheese: Adds creamy, melty richness.
• Avocado: Brings smooth, buttery texture.

Cooking Tools For Southwest Sweet Potato Black Bean And Rice Skillet

• Large Skillet: Essential for sautéing vegetables and cooking the entire one-pan meal.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping onions, bell peppers, and sweet potatoes.
• Sharp Knife: Crucial for dicing vegetables and preparing ingredients precisely.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Perfect for stirring and mixing ingredients while cooking.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Helpful for accurately portioning rice, spices, and broth.
• Can Opener: Required for opening canned diced tomatoes.
• Lime Squeezer (optional): Convenient for extracting fresh lime juice evenly.

Hearty Southwest Sweet Potato, Black Bean, And Rice Skillet

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4.6 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 3 1x

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Description

Southwest sweet potato skillet delivers bold flavors from Mexican-inspired ingredients. Hearty ingredients combine for a quick, nutritious meal you’ll savor to the last delicious bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and diced
• 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup uncooked rice (white, brown, or jasmine)
• 1 can (10 oz / 285 g) diced tomatoes with green chilies
• 1 cup frozen corn
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 bell pepper, diced (any color)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp chili powder
• ½ tsp cumin
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• Juice of 1 lime
• ¼ cup chopped cilantro (for garnish)
• ½ cup shredded cheddar or Mexican cheese (omit for vegan)
• 1 avocado, sliced
• Sour cream or Greek yogurt (omit for vegan)

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Instructions

1. Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium flame. Toss diced onion, bell pepper, and sweet potato, allowing them to caramelize and soften for 5-6 minutes, creating a flavor-rich foundation.
2. Aromatic Infusion: Introduce minced garlic, stirring quickly to prevent scorching while releasing its intense aroma into the vegetable medley.
3. Build Flavor Layers: Add uncooked rice, black beans, diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, and spice blend (chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper). Stir thoroughly to integrate all components.
4. Simmer and Absorb: Reduce heat, cover skillet, and let the mixture gently steam for 15-20 minutes until rice becomes tender and liquid is completely absorbed, allowing flavors to meld harmoniously.
5. Final Touches: Fold in frozen corn, warming it through. Remove from heat and brighten the dish with fresh lime juice. Garnish with chopped cilantro, optional crumbled cheese, avocado slices, or sour cream.
6. Serve Immediately: Present a vibrant, wholesome southwestern-inspired skillet meal that celebrates bold flavors and colorful ingredients.

Notes

• Optimize Sweet Potato Cuts: Dice sweet potatoes uniformly into small, bite-sized cubes to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
• Control Moisture Balance: Watch liquid levels carefully during simmering to prevent rice from becoming too dry or overly soggy, adjusting vegetable broth as needed.
• Enhance Spice Depth: Toast spices briefly before adding other ingredients to intensify their flavor and release more complex aromatic compounds.
• Customize Dietary Needs: Easily adapt recipe by substituting rice with quinoa for gluten-free option or adding protein like shredded chicken for meat lovers.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Southwestern American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 3
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 58 g
• Fiber: 12 g
• Protein: 11 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg