Description
This easy ground beef and sweet potato hash is a hearty, flavorful one-pan meal perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Featuring tender cubes of sweet potato, browned ground beef, and a blend of aromatic spices, this skillet dish combines savory and subtly sweet flavors with a perfect balance of textures. Quick to prepare and cook, it makes a nutritious and satisfying comfort food option.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 blend for flavor and moisture)
- 1 large sweet potato, diced into 1/2-inch cubes
- 3/4 yellow onion, finely chopped (about 1/4-inch pieces)
- 1 green bell pepper, finely chopped (about 1/4-inch pieces)
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
Oils and Seasonings
- 4 tbsp olive oil (California Olive Ranch preferred)
- 1 3/4 tsp Morton Kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 3/4 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp oregano
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Dice the sweet potato into 1/2-inch cubes for even cooking. Finely chop the yellow onion and green bell pepper into approximately 1/4-inch pieces. Mince the garlic cloves. In a small bowl, mix together the salt, black pepper, chili powder, cumin, paprika, smoked paprika, oregano, and red pepper flakes to create the spice blend. Having all ingredients prepped before cooking ensures smooth workflow and prevents burning.
- Brown the Ground Beef: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the ground beef and allow it to cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes so a crust forms. Break up the meat with a spoon and continue cooking until fully browned and no pink remains, about 5-7 minutes total. Drain excess grease, leaving just enough fat to coat the skillet for added flavor.
- Sauté Onion, Bell Pepper, and Garlic: Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the beef in the pan. Stir in the diced onion and bell pepper, cooking for 3-4 minutes until softened and aromatic. Push vegetables to one side of the pan, add the minced garlic in the empty space, and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. This prevents garlic burning and infuses the oil with its flavor.
- Add Sweet Potato and Spices: Stir in the diced sweet potato, combining it well with the beef and vegetables. Sprinkle the prepared spice blend evenly over the mixture and stir thoroughly to coat all ingredients. Toasting the spices slightly over residual heat releases essential oils, enhancing flavor and aroma.
- Cook Until Tender: Reduce heat to medium and cook the hash for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cook until the sweet potato cubes are fork-tender and beginning to caramelize on the edges. Scrape the browned bits off the bottom of the pan as you stir to add depth and richness. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary before serving.
Notes
- Use uniform size when dicing sweet potato for even cooking.
- Draining excess grease from beef prevents greasiness but keeps flavor.
- Sauté garlic separately on the side of the pan to avoid burning.
- Adjust the amount of chili powder and red pepper flakes for desired heat level.
- This dish can be served with eggs for breakfast or alongside a salad for dinner.
- Leftovers refrigerate well for up to 3 days and reheat on the stovetop or microwave.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: ground beef hash, sweet potato hash, one pan meal, easy dinner, skillet hash, savory breakfast
