Description
This Easy Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Hash is a flavorful and hearty one-pan meal perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Combining tender, caramelized sweet potatoes with well-seasoned ground beef and aromatic vegetables, this dish offers a comforting and satisfying flavor profile with a blend of spices that enhance every bite. It’s quick to prepare and cooks entirely on the stovetop, making it an ideal weeknight recipe.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins and Vegetables
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 blend)
- 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
Oils and Spices
- 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 Ingredients: Dice the sweet potato into 1/2-inch cubes to ensure even cooking. Finely chop the yellow onion and green bell pepper into 1/4-inch pieces and mince the garlic cloves. In a small bowl, combine salt, black pepper, chili powder, cumin, paprika, smoked paprika, oregano, and red pepper flakes to create a spice blend. Having all ingredients prepped before cooking will facilitate a smooth cooking process and prevent burning of aromatics.
- Cook Ground Beef: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the ground beef and cook without stirring for 2-3 minutes to develop a crust. Break the beef up and continue cooking for about 5-7 minutes until browned and no pink remains. Drain excess grease, leaving enough fat to coat the pan bottom for flavor.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil to the skillet. Add the diced onion and bell pepper, sautéing for 3-4 minutes until softened and aromatic. Push vegetables to the side and add minced garlic to the empty space, cooking for about 30 seconds until fragrant to prevent burning while infusing oil with garlic flavor.
- Add Sweet Potatoes and Spices: Stir diced sweet potato into the skillet with beef and aromatics. Sprinkle the prepared spice blend over the mixture and stir well to evenly coat. The residual heat will toast the spices slightly, enhancing their flavors and aroma.
- Simmer and Caramelize: Reduce heat to medium and cook the hash for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sweet potatoes are fork-tender and slightly caramelized on the edges. Scrape up any browned bits from the pan bottom to incorporate deep, savory flavors. Taste the dish and adjust seasoning if needed before serving.
Notes
- Cut sweet potatoes uniformly to ensure even cooking and avoid undercooked or burnt pieces.
- Use an 80/20 ground beef blend for optimal moisture and flavor in the hash.
- Don’t stir the beef immediately when cooking to help develop a flavorful crust.
- Adding garlic after the other vegetables prevents burning and enhances its flavor infusion.
- Scraping the browned bits (fond) from the pan adds extra depth of flavor to the dish.
- This dish can be customized with additional vegetables or spices according to taste.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat nicely in a skillet or microwave.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: ground beef hash, sweet potato hash, easy one-pan meal, stovetop hash, savory breakfast, ground beef recipes, healthy hash recipe
