Description
Taco Stuffed Sweet Potatoes combine the natural sweetness of roasted sweet potatoes with a savory, spiced beef and black bean filling for a nutritious and flavorful meal. This recipe features a quick baking method for the sweet potatoes, a skillet-cooked taco meat filling seasoned with homemade taco spices, and a creamy, zesty Sriracha lime mayo drizzle. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner that is both comforting and packed with bold flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Sweet Potatoes
- 4 (10-to-13-ounce) medium sweet potatoes, scrubbed clean and halved lengthwise
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Meat Filling
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup diced yellow onion (about 1/2 onion)
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 batch taco seasoning (see note 1)
- 1-1/2 teaspoons beef bouillon powder
- 1 pound lean ground beef or ground turkey (93/7)
- 1/3 cup tomato sauce
- 1 (15.5-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed (optional)
Toppings and Sauce
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- Zest of 1 lime (about 1/4 teaspoon)
- 3 tablespoons lime juice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon Sriracha
- Salt (1/4 teaspoon) and pepper (1/8 teaspoon), to taste
- Additional desired toppings (such as shredded cheese, chopped cilantro, diced tomatoes, sliced jalapeños, or sour cream)
Instructions
- Prepare Sweet Potatoes: Preheat your oven (or use your preferred baking method). Lightly coat the halved sweet potatoes with 3 tablespoons of olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place them cut-side down on a baking sheet and bake until tender, about 35 to 40 minutes depending on size. You can test doneness by poking with a fork; the flesh should be soft.
- Cook Onion: While the sweet potatoes bake, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 3 to 5 minutes until golden and translucent.
- Brown the Meat and Add Seasonings: Push the onions to the edges of the skillet and add the ground beef or turkey to the center. Sear, crumble, and cook the meat until fully browned. As the meat cooks, stir in the minced garlic, taco seasoning, and beef bouillon powder. Cook until the liquid is absorbed and well combined.
- Simmer with Tomato Sauce and Beans: Mix in the tomato sauce and stir thoroughly. If using black beans, add them now and cook until everything is heated through.
- Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the lime zest, lime juice, mayonnaise, cumin, paprika, chili powder, Sriracha, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Assemble the Stuffed Sweet Potatoes: Once the sweet potatoes are baked and cool enough to handle, place them flesh side up on plates. Lightly mash the flesh with a fork to create a bed for the filling. Spoon the meat and bean mixture on top of each potato half. Drizzle the prepared spicy lime mayo sauce over the filling and add your preferred toppings like shredded cheese, chopped cilantro, or diced tomatoes.
Notes
- Note 1: Taco seasoning can be store-bought or homemade with chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Note 2: Suggested toppings include shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese, chopped fresh cilantro, diced tomatoes, sliced jalapeños, sour cream, or avocado.
- For a quicker bake, pierce the sweet potatoes with a fork and microwave on high for 5-7 minutes before transferring to the oven to crisp the skin.
