Black Bean, Sweet Potato and Hemp Skillet
A warm, comforting skillet packed with sweet potatoes, black beans, and quinoa. Topped with creamy avocado and omega-rich hemp hearts for a satisfying, plant-based dinner.
Prep
10 min
Cook
15 min
Total
25 min
Makes
2 servings

The feel-good payoff
Why this meal can feel especially good in perimenopause
Think practical wins: steadier energy, comfortable fullness and one less food decision. Your response is personal, so use the prompts below to notice what works for you.
Perimenopause symptoms and relief · Office on Women’s HealthWell-fueled muscles
Support your everyday foundations
A varied meal helps bring protein, energy and minerals into the day without turning dinner into a supplement calculation.
Notice: comfort + hydration
Steadier energy
Feel fueled, not flattened
A complete meal with protein, carbohydrates and fats is designed to offer more staying power than a quick carb-only fix.
Notice: energy 1–3 hours later
Digestive comfort
A portion that works for you
Fiber and plants can support digestion, but more is not always better overnight. Start with a comfortable portion and build gradually.
Notice: comfort + portion
More staying power
Make the next few hours easier
This meal is built to be more sustaining than a snack-sized stopgap, with enough substance to carry you into the next part of the day.
Notice: energy + fullness later
Setup
Get set up
Choose your servings, gather what you need, then cook along below.
Prep
10 min
Cook
15 min
Total
25 min
How many are you cooking for?
The ingredient amounts update automatically.
Equipment
Large skillet · Knife and cutting board
Time saver
If you have leftover quinoa from another meal, this is the perfect way to repurpose it. Otherwise, a pre-cooked quinoa pouch saves excellent prep time.
Do these three things first
- 1Prep cups sweet potatoes (diced), black beans (rinsed), avocado (sliced)
- 2Cook or warm any pre-cooked grain before assembly
- 3Set out all ingredients before cooking
Ingredients
Gather as you go
Ingredients
From Your Pantry
Cook along
Instructions
0 of 4 steps complete
Next: Heat the olive oil in a large…
- 01
Heat the olive oil in a large…
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced sweet potatoes, a pinch of salt, and the ground cumin. Sauté for 8 to 10 minutes until the potatoes are fork-tender.
Look for: the potatoes are fork-tender
Tap card to mark done - 02
Stir in the rinsed black beans
Stir in the rinsed black beans, cooked quinoa, and frozen corn. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until everything is thoroughly warmed.
Look for: everything is thoroughly warmed
Tap card to mark done - 03
Pour in the chunky salsa
Pour in the chunky salsa, mixing well to coat the ingredients. Let the skillet simmer for 2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
Allow: 2 minutes
Tap card to mark done - 04
Remove from heat
Remove from heat. Divide the mixture evenly into two bowls and generously top each with 3 tbsp of hemp hearts and a quarter of the sliced avocado. Add a squeeze of fresh lime juice and a sprinkle of black pepper if desired.
Ready when: everything is assembled and ready to enjoy
Tap card to mark done
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