Mexican Loaded Sweet Potato Recipe | Vegetarian Recipes (2024)

May 22, 2012 by Lindsay 48 Comments

Hi friends!

I’m back with another one of my go-to meals to share with you guys! In case you missed last week, you can check out my Lentil & Veggie Curry by clicking HERE.

This week’s meal is the one I probably make the most out of any other meal ever. It’s so easy, so delicious and I can throw it together in about 15 minutes. Plus it’s super healthy. An all-around win in my book 🙂

I usually make mine Mexican themed, but feel free to use whatever you have on had. Here’s what you need:

Sweet potatoes
Veggies
Beans
A grain
Toppings

I almost always use black beans from the freezer. For the base I usually use red peppers and onion mixed with beans and whatever grain I happen to have leftover in my fridge. Brown rice works well…so does quinoa, farro, wheatberries…you get the idea. Saute the peppers and onions with some garlic. Add a little cayenne pepper and cumin….put the mixture on top of a microwaved sweet potato and top with tomato, avocado and cheese. That’s it!

Mexican Loaded Sweet Potato

by Lindsay L

Prep Time: 15 min

Keywords: microwave saute entree healthy vegetarian low-sodium black beans sweet potato Mexican

Ingredients (serves 4)

4 small sweet potatoes (or 2 large)
1 red bell pepper
1/2 c onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 c black beans
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 c cooked grain (rice, farro, quinoa)
1 medium avocado, diced
1 tomato, diced
mexican cheese

Instructions

1. Poke the sweet potatoes all over with a fork and microwave on high for 5-6 minutes or until soft.
2. Saute the garlic, onion, red pepper and black beans in a medium-sized pan.
3. Add spices and mix well.
4. Add the grain and stir until heated through.
5. Slice the sweet potatoes in half length-wise (cut in half if using 2 large).
6. Top with bean mixture.
7. Add the avocado, tomato and cheese and serve warm.

The most important thing to remember is that this recipe is not exact. I usually don’t measure anything…just throw in what I have on hand. I always make extra toppings and we use that in tacos or burritos for lunch the rest of the week. If you eat meat, add some chicken or pork to the mix.

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

LEARN HOW FOOD AFFECTS YOUR BODY.

Get my free Table Talk email series where I share bite-sized nutrition information about carbs, protein, and fat, plus bonus information about snacks and sugar!

About Lindsay

Lindsay Livingston is a Registered Dietitian and new mom from Columbus, Ohio. On her blog, she shares simple, healthy recipes, nutrition tips, workouts and snapshots of her life. Follow her on Twitter @LeanGrnBeanBlog and Instagram @TheLeanGreenBean and be sure to subscribe via RSS or email so you never miss a post!

Reader Interactions

Comments

Ashley @ My Food 'N' Fitness Diaries says
May 22, 2012 at 12:07 AM
oh yes, mexican + sweet potato all in one dish?! sounds perfect in my book. 😉
Reply
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf says
May 22, 2012 at 12:25 AM
This sounds delicious!! So simple and easy – gotta love it!
Reply
Brittany @ Itty Bits of Balance says
May 22, 2012 at 6:25 AM
Yum yum! I’ve just discovered the world of sweet potatoes (adding nut butter, cottage cheese, etc.), so this recipe is more than welcome in my book! I could even see Will POSSIBLY eating this too 😉
Reply
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More says
May 22, 2012 at 6:47 AM
YUM! Such a good idea! I’ve been looking for a healthy idea for mexican food!
Reply
Gina (The Candid RD) says
May 22, 2012 at 6:50 AM
Nick and I went through a loaded potato faze, but I’m not sure what happened! We need to bring it back! THanks for sharing your tips. This sounds amazing.
Reply
Kristen @ notsodomesticated says
May 22, 2012 at 6:51 AM
My sweet potatoes have been Mexican recently, too! Guacamole + salsa + sweet potato = heaven!
Reply
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
See Also
18 Vegan Vitamix Recipes (That Aren't Smoothies)! - THE TREE KISSER Favorite Thanksgiving Pie Recipes - Barbara Bakes™Chocolate Mug Cake - Recipe Diaries 13 Easy Cast Iron Skillet Dessert Recipes
May 22, 2012 at 7:27 AM
I need to start making a bunch of beans and freezing them. Black beans have quickly become my favorite!
Reply
Linz @ Itz Linz says
May 22, 2012 at 7:43 AM
mexican + sweet potato??? another random combo that i’m sure is delish!
Reply
Lisa @ RunWiki says
May 22, 2012 at 8:23 AM
Oh good Lord! This is right up my alley. You have spoken to my taste buds. Thank you again Lindsay.
Reply
Alison says
May 22, 2012 at 9:02 AM
This sounds SO good. I love any food stuffed into another food, especially if it’s good for you!
Reply
lindsay says
May 22, 2012 at 9:06 AM
the more loaded the better. LOVE IT and so simple.
Reply
Tara @ Chip Chip Hooray says
May 22, 2012 at 9:08 AM
Yum! I think this is about to become one of my go-to meals too. 🙂 Sweet potatoes make such a great base for yummy stuff!
Reply
Paige @ Running Around Normal says
May 22, 2012 at 9:11 AM
Ooh, I like this series! Man, sweet guac yesterday and savory sweet potatoes today! I’m going to be trying all sorts of new combos 🙂
Reply
Kelly @ No Sugar Sweet Life says
May 22, 2012 at 9:24 AM
How long do you microwave the sweet potato? This will definitely be added to my go-to list (though Dear Hubby will have to fend for himself… he’s like the only person in America who doesn’t like Mexican food!!!).
Reply
Stefanie @TheNewHealthy says
May 22, 2012 at 9:30 AM
All my favorite things in one meal! Definitely trying this. 🙂
Reply
Jaren@KiwiFitBlog says
May 22, 2012 at 9:36 AM
That looks delicious! I have been addicted to sweet potatoes lately!
Reply
Courtney @ Sweet Tooth, Sweet Life says
May 22, 2012 at 9:40 AM
Please come cook for me? 🙂
Reply
Dawn says
May 22, 2012 at 9:50 AM
Yummo! These look absolutely delicious!
Reply
Lauren @ Part Time House Wife says
May 22, 2012 at 10:21 AM
I’m totally making this… I have an enormous sweet potatoe begging me to mexify it right now! Perfect solution!
Reply
Heather @ Better With Veggies says
May 22, 2012 at 10:23 AM
Love loaded sweet potatoes, it’s a great way to really pack in the veggies and easy to bring to work for lunch. Delicious!
Reply
Sarah @RunningChickago says
See Also
Homemade Key Lime Larabar Balls Recipe - Peas and Crayons
May 22, 2012 at 10:45 AM
this looks SO good! i will definitely make this in the near-future! 🙂 thanks!!
Reply
Carissa says
May 22, 2012 at 11:22 AM
I love this recipe! Def a vegetarian meal I can do!
Reply
Claire @ Live and Love to Eat says
May 22, 2012 at 11:39 AM
Now I’m SO hungry.
Reply
PavementRunner says
May 22, 2012 at 1:15 PM
Love me some Sweet Potatoes… I’m going to have to try a microwaved SP. It’s like nachos, but without the cheese and chips. If that makes any sense.
Reply
- Lindsay says
  May 24, 2012 at 8:56 AM
  microwaved it so much easier than baked! and quicker! i’ve made nachos with baked sweet potato chips before! yummmm!
  Reply
Talia @ Bite Size Wellness says
May 22, 2012 at 2:05 PM
Sweet potatoes…I feel so bad for the times I would shun them at Thanksgiving meals. They are really are fab. Love black beans with them.
Reply
Kristen @ Miami Housewife says
May 22, 2012 at 3:05 PM
I’ve been eagerly anticipating this recipe and it looks fantastic! Sweet potatoes and black beans are one of my favorite healthy-food combos.
Reply
- Lindsay says
  May 24, 2012 at 8:55 AM
  yay!!! let me know if you try it out!
  Reply
[emailprotected] says
May 22, 2012 at 3:23 PM
thats one loaded ‘tater!! im gonna have to try it. i go in phases with sweet potatoes where i have them all the time..then never buy them. u just reminded me to buy them again
Reply
jobo says
May 22, 2012 at 5:19 PM
I love this series! This is definitely another I wanna add to my list! M LOVES potatoes so I know he would love this too! I never think to make stuffed potatoes!!
Reply
- Lindsay says
  May 24, 2012 at 8:55 AM
  yes! You must try!!! so easy, so good.
  Reply
Charlotte says
May 22, 2012 at 6:09 PM
loving this series!!!! that looks so good. oh my… adding to my must try meals
Reply
- Lindsay says
  May 24, 2012 at 8:55 AM
  excellent! let me know what you think!
  Reply
Meg says
May 22, 2012 at 6:29 PM
I always have my sweet potato “sweet style” not savoury like this! I will be trying this now 🙂 Thanks Lindsay
Reply
- Lindsay says
  May 24, 2012 at 8:55 AM
  ooooh yes! do try 🙂 i think you’ll like it!
  Reply
Anna says
May 22, 2012 at 7:53 PM
Oh yum! I love ‘stuffed’ sweet potatoes. This reminds me of the meal I made last night…I made a tempeh black bean mexican stir-fry and served it with a side of chipotle sweet potato fries. De-li-ci-ous.
Reply
- Lindsay says
  May 24, 2012 at 8:54 AM
  yum! that sounds amazing!
  Reply
Brittany @ Delights and Delectables says
May 22, 2012 at 9:12 PM
I’m loving your recipes!! This looks so good. I’ve already had dinner and you are making me hungry all over again!
Reply
StoriesAndSweetPotatoes says
May 22, 2012 at 9:48 PM
This has been one of my favorite meals for a long time. It’s just perfect!
Reply
Cat @ Breakfast to Bed says
May 22, 2012 at 11:52 PM
ooooh, yum!! I love sw style sweet potato ANYTHING.
Reply
Leonor @FoodFaithFitness says
May 23, 2012 at 3:23 PM
I’ve never thought of eating a sweet potato this way. Thanks for the recipe!
Reply
- Lindsay says
  May 24, 2012 at 8:36 AM
  sure! enjoy!!
  Reply
Liz (Little Bitty Bakes) says
May 23, 2012 at 8:20 PM
I love dressing up potatoes for a quick and easy dinner! Love the Mexican version, this is right up my alley!
Reply
- Lindsay says
  May 24, 2012 at 8:34 AM
  me too! i need to bring out and try some other combos for toppings!
  Reply
Jentry Nielsen says
May 24, 2012 at 3:37 PM
Wow these look so delicious!! I have got to try these! Dinner tonight set! 🙂
Reply
Sam @ The Balance Artist says
June 6, 2012 at 2:50 PM
First time visiting your blog, love it!! After finding this recipe, it’s all I thought about all day; I was eagerly awaiting lunch! Mexican food (especially healthified) is my absolute fave, and your meal sounded exactly like something I would cook…cumin, cayenne, black beans, quinoa, sweet potato, etc….all daily staples for me. I added lime juice as well. Savory is the way to GO for sweet potatoes!!! Thanks!
Reply
- Lindsay says
  June 6, 2012 at 4:09 PM
  awesome!! so glad you found my blog 🙂 we eat a TON of mexican food in our house. i definitely agree savory is the best way to enjoy sweet potatoes!
  Reply
Olga says
August 7, 2012 at 3:35 PM
I love simple recipes like this where you can customize all the ingredients to your liking without changing the flavor. I also just started eating sweet potatoes regularly, and I’ve run out of interesting ways to cook them. Thanks so much for posting and please keep sending the sweet potato recipes our way!
Reply

Mexican Loaded Sweet Potato Recipe | Vegetarian Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the sticky liquid from sweet potato? ›

The ooze is actually referred to as "sap." It is made up of sugar and starch combined with the moisture found in the vegetable, and it escapes out of the damage made from the knife. The sap really equals the sweetness. If it's pouring out of your potato, that means it's a sweet and delicious vegetable.

Learn More ›

What are the ingredients in a sweet potato? ›

Bioactive carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, carotenoids, anthocyanins, conjugated phenolic acids, and minerals represent versatile nutrients in different parts (tubers, leaves, stems, and stalks) of sweet potato.

Tell Me More ›

Why do you need to soak sweet potatoes before cooking? ›

Some recipes for homemade sweet potato fries ask you to soak the fries before cooking. The theory is that soaking draws out starch from inside the potatoes, helping them crisp up.

Keep Reading ›

What brings out the flavor of sweet potatoes? ›

Browning butter packs in tons of flavor, without dulling the sweet potatoes. Slow-roasting the sweet potatoes activates endogenous enzymes that bring out their natural sweetness. A touch of maple syrup, butter, and a bit of chopped thyme are the only embellishments these naturally sweet sweet potatoes need.

What tastes good on top of a sweet potato? ›

topping ideas:

Chives. Greek yogurt, or tzatziki. Guacamole. Creamy avocado cilantro lime dressing.

Learn More Now ›

What are the white dots in my sweet potatoes? ›

All it is is just a mixture of the natural sugar. starches in water that comes out like sap. when the cell walls of the plant are damaged and cut. This is actually indication of a really fresh potato, so it may taste even sweeter and better.

Is it safe to eat sweet potatoes with black spots? ›

Dark spots on sweet potatoes

Sweet potatoes that develop dark spots may be infected with a fungal disease that may cover the entire skin surface. The injury is superficial, however, and does not affect eating quality.

Show Me More ›

What does stuffed sweet potatoes contain? ›

Stuffed Sweet Potatoes- baked sweet potatoes filled with black beans, veggies, enchilada sauce, and lots of delicious toppings! This easy vegetarian meal is a satisfying and a family favorite!

What does sweet potato do to your body? ›

Just one sweet potato gives you 102% of the vitamin A you need each day. This helps keep your eyes healthy as well as your immune system, your body's defense against germs. It's also good for your reproductive system and organs like your heart and kidneys.

Discover More ›

Is it better to boil or bake sweet potatoes? ›

The takeaway. If you want to eat sweet potatoes and maintain blood sugar balance, Sapola suggests boiling rather than roasting them. This method will take the glycemic index impact down a few points and maybe even challenge your cooking creativity.

Discover More Details ›

What happens if you don't soak potatoes? ›

Soaking potatoes in water helps remove excess starch. Excess starch can inhibit the potatoes from cooking evenly as well as creating a gummy or sticky texture on the outside of your potatoes. Cold water is used because hot water would react with the starch activating it, making it harder to separate from the potatoes.

Get More Info ›

Is it better to peel sweet potatoes before or after boiling? ›

There is not much difference between boiling sweet potatoes with the skins on versus peeling them, but you will get a boost of fiber and potassium if you keep the skin on. The skin also adds a subtle texture to each bite. If you're looking for a smoother mash, peel the potatoes first before boiling.

See Details ›

Why is boiling not good for sweet potatoes? ›

Despite their sweet taste, these potatoes have an intermediate glycemic index (GI) level, meaning they are digested and absorbed fairly slowly, leading to a more gradual increase in blood sugar levels. But, a lot of these benefits, including nutrients and taste, can be lost by boiling sweet potatoes.

See Details ›

What do sweet potatoes pair well with? ›

Sweetpotatoes tend to pair nicely with pork, pork chops and other pork dishes. This sheet pan pork chops and sweetpotatoes are a favorite! Whether you're looking for color to complement the plate, or a sweet, chewy texture for the pork chops to blend with, sweetpotatoes are a natural option.

What is compatible with sweet potatoes? ›

Aromatic herbs such as dill, thyme, and oregano work well with Sweet potatoes. Alyssum makes a perfect living mulch for them while attracting beneficial insects like wasps.

Tell Me More ›

What do we eat in sweet potato? ›

The sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) is a starchy, sweet-tasting root vegetable. It has a thin, brown outer skin with bright-coloured flesh – most commonly orange, but other varieties include white, purple or yellow. You can eat sweet potatoes whole or peeled and the leaves of the plant are edible, too.

Find Out More ›

What is needed for sweet potatoes? ›

Sweet potatoes grow best in light, sandy soils but grow well on heavier soils, high in clay and amended with organic matter. Full sun requires direct light at least 6 hours/day; prefers 8 - 10 hours/day. Days to maturity: 85 - 120.

Know More ›

Mexican Loaded Sweet Potato Recipe | Vegetarian Recipes (2024)

About Lindsay

Reader Interactions

Comments

Leave a Reply

FAQs

What is the sticky liquid from sweet potato? ›

What happens if you don't soak potatoes? ›

References