Southwest Black Bean Skillet Recipe
This Southwest Black Bean Skillet is a flavorful and hearty one-pan meal featuring tender sweet potatoes, black beans, and rice simmered in zesty salsa and spices. Topped with melted cheddar cheese, fresh green onions, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime, it’s a vibrant, simple dish perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or cozy meal any time.
- Author: Elena
- 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
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
- 1 cup salsa
- 2 cups sweet potato, peeled and diced
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 (4 oz) can diced green chiles, undrained
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 ¾ cups chicken or vegetable broth
Toppings and Garnishes
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 green onions, sliced
- Juice of 1 lime
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Combine Ingredients: In a large skillet, combine the uncooked rice, salsa, peeled and diced sweet potatoes, rinsed and drained black beans, undrained diced green chiles, chili powder, and chicken or vegetable broth. Stir well to evenly distribute all ingredients.
- Simmer: Cover the skillet and bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer gently for 15 minutes until the rice is cooked through and the sweet potatoes are tender.
- Rest and Fluff: Remove the skillet from heat and keep it covered, allowing the dish to rest for 5 minutes. After resting, uncover and fluff the rice mixture with a fork to separate the grains. Stir in the fresh lime juice and sliced green onions. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Melt Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly on top of the rice mixture. Cover the skillet again for a few minutes until the cheese melts thoroughly and becomes gooey.
- Serve: Garnish the skillet with fresh chopped cilantro. Serve the dish hot directly from the skillet for a warm and comforting meal.
Notes
- You can substitute brown rice for a healthier option; just increase the simmering time accordingly.
- For a spicier version, add jalapeños or more diced green chiles.
- Use vegetable broth to make this recipe vegetarian-friendly.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated on the stovetop or microwave.
- This dish can be customized with additional toppings like avocado slices or sour cream.
Keywords: Southwest Black Bean Skillet, black beans, sweet potatoes, rice skillet, easy vegetarian dinner, one-pan meal, cheesy rice skillet, southwestern cuisine