Description
A vibrant and hearty Southwest-inspired skillet dish combining tender sweet potatoes, black beans, and brown rice with smoky spices and fresh cilantro. This one-pan meal is finished with melted cheese and a splash of lime for a nutritious and flavorful dinner ready in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil
- 2 cups (about 300 g) sweet potato, peeled and diced
- 4 ounces (113 g) diced green chiles
- 2 cups (about 380 g) cooked brown rice
- 15 ounces (425 g) canned black beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 tablespoons (8 g) cilantro, chopped
- Juice of 1 lime
- 0.5 cup (64 g) shredded cheese
- 0.5 cup (120 ml) salsa or salsa verde
Spices & Seasonings
- 1.5 teaspoons (3.6 g) chili powder
- 1 teaspoon (2 g) ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon (1 g) dried oregano
- 0.5 teaspoon (1 g) smoked paprika
- 0.25 teaspoon (0.5 g) garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Heat the Oil and Sauté Sweet Potatoes: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add the diced sweet potatoes along with salt and pepper to taste. Sauté the sweet potatoes for about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they begin to brown and are tender on the outside.
- Steam the Sweet Potatoes: Add 3 to 4 tablespoons (45-60 ml) of water to the skillet and cover it with the lid. Let the sweet potatoes steam for approximately 4 minutes, or until they are fork-tender. This steaming process ensures even cooking and keeps the sweet potatoes moist without drying them out.
- Add Remaining Ingredients and Mix: Remove the lid and gently fold in the diced green chiles, drained black beans, cooked brown rice, chili powder, cumin, dried oregano, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salsa, chopped cilantro, lime juice, and additional salt and pepper as needed. Stir carefully to evenly distribute the ingredients without breaking up the sweet potatoes.
- Top with Cheese and Melt: Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the skillet contents. Cover the skillet again and let it cook for 3 to 4 minutes until the cheese has melted and the ingredients are heated through.
Notes
- Use canned black beans that are well rinsed to reduce sodium content.
- Brown rice should be pre-cooked before starting the skillet recipe.
- Adjust the level of spiciness by choosing mild or hot diced green chiles and salsa.
- For a vegan version, omit the cheese or substitute with a plant-based cheese alternative.
- Leftovers keep well and can be reheated on the stovetop or microwave.
