Description
A vibrant and hearty one-skillet meal combining seasoned ground beef, tender sweet potatoes, bell peppers, black beans, and fragrant southwest spices. Ready in under 30 minutes, this Southwest Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet is perfect for busy weeknights, offering balanced nutrition, bold flavors, and easy cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
Vegetables
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced into small cubes
- 2 bell peppers, diced
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings & Liquids
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp southwest seasoning blend (cumin, paprika, chili powder, oregano)
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes or 1 cup tomato sauce
Garnishes
- Fresh cilantro or green onions, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Vegetables: Peel and dice the sweet potatoes into small, uniform cubes to ensure even cooking. Chop the bell peppers, onion, and garlic finely to infuse their flavors throughout the skillet.
- Cook the Ground Beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spatula, and cook until browned and no longer pink. Drain excess fat if necessary to avoid greasiness.
- Sauté the Aromatics and Vegetables: Push the beef to one side of the skillet, add a little more oil if needed, then add onions and garlic. Cook until translucent and fragrant. Add diced sweet potatoes and bell peppers, stirring everything together.
- Add Seasoning and Liquids: Sprinkle southwest seasoning blend evenly over the skillet mixture and stir well to coat. Pour in diced tomatoes or tomato sauce, add black beans, mix well, and reduce heat to medium-low.
- Simmer Until Tender: Cover the skillet and cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sweet potatoes are tender and flavors have melded.
- Final Touches: Remove the lid, stir the skillet once more, and sprinkle freshly chopped cilantro or green onions before serving.
Notes
- Cut vegetables uniformly to ensure even cooking.
- Season beef as it cooks and again after adding vegetables for maximum flavor.
- Use fresh or freshly ground spices for deeper aroma and taste.
- Let the skillet rest a few minutes off the heat before serving to meld flavors.
- Adjust spice levels with extra chili flakes, jalapeños, or hot sauce to taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet Cooking
- Cuisine: Southwestern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg