Description
This Easy Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Hash is a flavorful, hearty one-pan meal featuring tender sweet potatoes, perfectly browned ground beef, and a vibrant blend of spices and aromatics. Quick to prepare and cook, it’s ideal for a satisfying weeknight dinner or meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 large sweet potato, diced into 1/2-inch cubes
- 3/4 yellow onion, finely chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, finely chopped (about 1/4-inch pieces)
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
Meat
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 blend)
Oils and Seasonings
- 4 tbsp olive oil (preferably California Olive Ranch)
- 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 Mise en Place and Spice Blend: Dice the sweet potato into uniform 1/2-inch cubes to ensure even cooking. Finely chop the yellow onion and green bell pepper into roughly 1/4-inch pieces, and mince the garlic cloves. In a small bowl, mix together salt, black pepper, chili powder, cumin, paprika, smoked paprika, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Setting all ingredients out beforehand ensures a smooth cooking process and prevents burning of the garlic and spices.
- 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 let it cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes to develop a crust. Then, break it up with a spoon and continue cooking until fully browned and no pink remains, about 5-7 minutes in total. Drain excess grease, leaving just enough to coat the pan for sautéing vegetables, as this adds great flavor.
- Build the Flavor Base with Aromatics: Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the pan along with the cooked beef. Stir in the diced onion and bell pepper and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and aromatic. Push vegetables to one side, add minced garlic to the open space, and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, which prevents burning and infuses the oil.
- Add Sweet Potatoes and Season: Add the sweet potato cubes to the skillet and stir thoroughly to combine with the beef and aromatics. Sprinkle the prepared spice blend evenly over the mixture and stir well to coat all ingredients. The residual heat will toast the spices slightly, enhancing their essential oils and deepening the overall flavor.
- Cook Until Sweet Potatoes are 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 slightly caramelized on the edges. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom as you stir to incorporate their rich flavor. Taste the hash and adjust seasoning as needed before serving.
Notes
- Dice sweet potatoes evenly to ensure they cook uniformly.
- Use an 80/20 beef blend for best flavor and moisture.
- Do not stir the beef initially to allow crust formation for better texture.
- If you prefer a milder dish, reduce or omit the red pepper flakes.
- This hash can be served as a main dish or as a hearty side.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat nicely in a skillet or microwave.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: ground beef hash, sweet potato hash, easy one-pan meal, quick dinner recipe, skillet hash, beef and sweet potato skillet
