Southwest Sweet Potato Skillet

Nutrient-dense, one-pan, and deeply grounding.

This Southwest Sweet Potato Skillet is a one-pan, nutrient-dense dinner built for steady energy: protein-rich beef + black beans, slow carbs from sweet potato, and a mineral-rich, tomato-chile base. It’s hearty without feeling heavy and the lime, cilantro, and avocado finish adds extra flavor plus healthy fats for satisfaction.

Nutrition Highlights

• Protein from ground beef + black beans for steady energy and lasting fullness.
• Fiber from black beans + veggies to support digestion and gut health.
• Slow carbs from sweet potato + beans for balanced blood sugar and sustained fuel.
• Iron + zinc from beef to support energy, skin repair, and overall resilience.
• Vitamin C from bell pepper + tomatoes to support immunity and enhance iron absorption.

Ingredients

• 1 Tbsp olive oil (or avocado oil)

• 1/2 cup diced onion

• 1 bell pepper, diced

• 1 lb ground beef

• 2 tsp chili powder

• 1 tsp cumin

• 1 tsp smoked paprika

• 1/2 tsp oregano

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 cups peeled + diced sweet potato

• 1 can (14.5 oz) fire-roasted diced tomatoes

• 1 can (4 oz) diced green chiles

• 1 can black beans, rinsed + drained

• 1/2 cup bone broth

• Salt + pepper

Toppings

• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar/pepper jack

• ¼ cup chopped cilantro (plus more to taste)

• fresh squeeze lime juice, 1 whole lime

• 1 medium avocado, sliced or diced

Directions

1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add onion + bell pepper and sauté 3–4 minutes until softened.

2. Add ground beef. Cook, breaking it up, until browned. Stir in garlic + spices + salt/pepper; cook 1 minute.

3. Transfer beef mixture to a plate (or push to one side of the skillet if there’s space).

4. Add sweet potato, tomatoes, green chiles, and broth. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook ~18–22 minutes, stirring once or twice, until sweet potato is tender.

5. Stir the beef back in and add black beans. Simmer uncovered 2–3 minutes to warm through and let everything thicken.

6. If using cheese, sprinkle on top, cover 1–2 minutes to melt. Finish with cilantro, lime, and avocado.