Roasted North Charlotte Sweet Potato and Black Bean Salad

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-24 · Updated 2026-04-24

A vibrant salad featuring roasted sweet potatoes and black beans tossed with fresh cilantro and a zesty lime dressing, inspired by the diverse flavors of North Charlotte. This latin american-inspired salads (vegetarian, gluten free) ready in about 40 minutes pairs (15 oz), drained and rinsed black beans, olive oil, ground cumin into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 2 medium (about 1 lb), peeled and diced into 1/2-inch cubes sweet potatoes
• 1 can (15 oz), drained and rinsed black beans
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 3 tbsp, freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1 tsp honey
• 1/4 cup finely diced red onion
• 1 small, seeded and finely chopped jalapeño

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. Toss 2 medium diced sweet potatoes with 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 25 minutes, stirring halfway through until tender and slightly caramelized.
2. Step 2: While sweet potatoes roast, whisk together 3 tbsp lime juice, 1 tsp honey, and 1 tbsp olive oil in a large bowl until emulsified.
3. Step 3: Add 1 can drained and rinsed black beans, 1/4 cup finely diced red onion, 1 small chopped jalapeño, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro to the bowl. Mix gently.
4. Step 4: When sweet potatoes are done, let cool slightly for 5 minutes, then add to the bean mixture. Toss everything together and adjust seasoning with more salt or lime juice if needed before serving.