Latin-Style Quinoa Power Bowl with Black Beans and Sweet Potato
Why this recipe works
- Good texture contrast: Fluffy quinoa, soft roasted sweet potato, crisp red pepper and creamy avocado keep the bowl varied and satisfying.
- Fresh acidity: Lime dressing cuts through the starchiness of the quinoa and sweet potato, keeping the bowl lively rather than heavy.
- Practical for prep: The quinoa, beans and roasted sweet potato hold well in the fridge, making the bowl easy to assemble for lunches.
Get the most out of this recipe
Timing notes
- Rest the quinoa: Leaving the cooked quinoa covered for a few minutes after simmering helps the grains finish steaming and fluff up cleanly.
- Best assembled just before eating: Add the avocado and dressing at the end so the avocado stays fresh and the bowl keeps distinct textures.
Ingredient notes
- Rinse the quinoa: Rinsing well before cooking helps remove quinoa’s natural bitterness and gives a cleaner flavour.
- Choose the right avocado: Use an avocado that is ripe but still firm enough to slice, so it adds creaminess without collapsing into the bowl.
- Adjust the citrus: Add a little more lime juice if the dressing needs extra sharpness, especially if the sweet potato is very sweet.
Make-ahead tips
- Keep components separate: Store the quinoa, roasted sweet potato, bean mixture and dressing separately where possible for the freshest texture.
- Prep ahead for lunch: Cook the quinoa and roast the sweet potato in advance, then assemble with the fresh ingredients when ready to eat.
- Slice avocado last: Keep the avocado whole until serving to limit browning and preserve its clean, creamy texture.
Serving ideas
- Finish with herbs: A final scattering of coriander adds freshness; flat-leaf parsley gives a milder finish if preferred.
- Add extra crunch: For more texture, finish with toasted seeds or crushed tortilla chips if you have them.
Equipment you'll need
Ingredients
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 220°C (430°F). Peel the sweet potato and cut into 2 cm cubes, then toss on a baking tray with 1 tbsp of the extra virgin olive oil, 1 tsp of the ground cumin, 0.5 tsp of the fine sea salt, and the black pepper. Roast for 20 to 25 minutes, turning once, until tender and browned at the edges.
- Meanwhile, rinse the quinoa in a colander, then tip into a saucepan with 300 ml water and 0.25 tsp of the fine sea salt. Bring to the boil, cover, and simmer gently for 12 to 15 minutes until the water is absorbed. Take off the heat and leave covered for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
- Drain and rinse the canned black beans, then put them in a bowl. Deseed the red pepper and cut into small dice, then add to the beans. Finely grate the garlic into the bowl and stir through.
- Make the dressing: squeeze the lime into a small bowl and whisk in 2 tbsp of the extra virgin olive oil, the remaining 0.5 tsp ground cumin, and the remaining 0.5 tsp fine sea salt. Finely chop the fresh coriander and stir most of it into the dressing, saving a little to finish. Taste and adjust with a little more lime juice if you want it sharper.
- Divide the quinoa between two bowls and top with the roasted sweet potato and the black bean mixture. Halve the avocado, remove the stone, and slice the flesh, then add to each bowl. Spoon over the dressing and finish with the reserved coriander.
Recipe notes
Tips
- Rinsing the quinoa well helps remove bitterness and keeps the grains fluffy.
- For the best texture, roast the sweet potato until the edges are well browned and the centres are soft.
- If serving later, keep the avocado whole and slice it just before eating to prevent browning.
Substitutions
- Replace fresh coriander with fresh flat-leaf parsley for a milder, more herby finish.
- Replace lime with lemon for a slightly softer citrus flavour.
- Replace extra virgin olive oil with avocado-oil for a more neutral dressing.
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 3 days
- Store the quinoa, sweet potato, and black bean mixture in an airtight container in the fridge. Keep the dressing separate if possible, and add the avocado just before serving; if already assembled, press the avocado against the bowl and cover tightly to slow browning.
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Recipe overview
- Servings: 2 servings
- Total time: 50min (20min active)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cuisine: Latin American
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