This hash has it all. Seriously, this dish has everything! It's got a rich, hearty flavor, is packed full of nutrients, and is easy to fit into any health goal you're working on. It uses one pot preparation and can easily be called healthy comfort food. This ground beef sweet potato hash is so satisfying that you'll want to make it again and again!
The browning and caramelizing of all the ingredients give this hash its mouthwatering signature flavor. To play off this, I add fresh rosemary and Worcestershire sauce to give it a distinct dinner-time flare. I also love adding a balsamic drizzle to serve.
Read on for all the loving details to make Ground Beef Sweet Potato Hash
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Featured Ingredients
Read below about a few of the ingredients used to make ground beef sweet potato hash.
Ground beef - Choose a ground beef that has at least 15% fat; otherwise, the dish can taste a little dry. Instead of wasting the fat that cooks off the beef, this recipe uses that fat to cook the vegetables!
Baking soda - One of the benefits of baking soda is that it can tenderize meat. Tossing the beef in baking soda before cooking softens the crumbles by helping retain some of the beef's water content. Oddly enough, it keeps shrimp from getting too chewy and helps retain the soft "snap" of a perfectly cooked crustacean.
Sweet potatoes or yams - Both of these are root vegetables, and either can be used in this dish. Or a combination of both, like in this delicious Triple Tater Salad. I've found them named interchangeably in grocery stores as well as in online research. They will have orange or white flesh, but the white-fleshed ones are a bit less sweet. Otherwise, they cook up the same.
Kale - You can use any kale that you like. If you aren't sure what would be best, check out this article about kale on Allrecipes. It highlights 4 different types, and you can see which one sounds best to you!
Butter - This is an optional ingredient. It provides an amazing flavor boost and additional moisture. However, you can leave it out and still get delicious results.
See recipe card for quantities.
Tools for the job
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Sharp knife (paid link) and cutting board
- Large nonstick skillet
- Spatula or stirring spoon
- Prep bowls
How to Make Ground Beef Sweet Potato Hash
Preparation for the beef before cooking
- Before prepping anything else, crumble the raw ground beef into a bowl with your hands.
- Add the baking soda to a small dish with a tablespoon of hot water and stir to dissolve. Pour the baking soda mixture over the ground beef and toss it around to fully coat it. (This process tenderizes the ground meat and helps it retain some moisture during the cooking process.)
- Set the beef aside for 15 minutes while you chop, mince, and measure out the other ingredients.
Cook the hash
- Warm a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and 1 teaspoon of salt. Cook the beef until it is mostly browned, breaking it into smaller crumbles with a spatula.
- When the beef is mostly browned, remove it from the pan using a slotted spoon and set aside in a bowl, reserving 2-3 tablespoons of the beef fat in the skillet. Depending on the fat content of the beef, you may have more or less than you need.
- Turn the temperature up to medium-high.
- Add the onion and sweet potato or yams and cook until the onions are translucent, stirring occasionally.
- Next, add the mushrooms, garlic, and rosemary until the onions have fully browned and the mushrooms are soft.
- Then add the kale, Worcestershire sauce, and cooked ground beef with any accumulated juices left in the bowl. Season with ground black pepper and stir to combine everything
- Optional: Top with 4 tablespoons of butter. You can omit the butter, but this dish can sometimes run dry, so I like to add that tasty fat for flavor and moisture. If you do omit the butter and the dish seems a bit dry, a little oil or extra beef fat can help!
- Turn the heat to low and cover the pan. Cook it for 5-7 more minutes.
- Remove the lid and continue to cook until the sweet potatoes/yams have started to brown, 7-10 minutes, only stirring once or twice.
- Taste for salt before serving.
Brown the beef, then remove it from the pan, leaving a few tablespoons of beef fat behind.
Cook the onion and sweet potato/yam in the beef fat until the onions are translucent.
Next, add the mushrooms, garlic, and rosemary and saute until the onions have browned and the mushrooms are fully cooked.
Add the kale, Worcestershire sauce, and the cooked beef to the pan. Stir to combine. Top with optional butter, then cover and turn the heat to low for 5-7 minutes.
Substitutions for Ground Beef Sweet Potato Hash
- Potatoes - You can substitute small diced potatoes for the sweet potato. Another delicious option would be parsnips!
- Ground meat - Make this dish a bit more decadent by using breakfast sausage or pork sausage.
Variations of Ground Beef Sweet Potato Hash
- Southwestern style - A popular variation of this dish uses cumin or taco seasoning instead of rosemary and vegetables like bell peppers, green chiles, and tomatoes. Adding black beans would be complimentary as well!
- Make it breakfast - Top this delicious hash with a fried egg or two. Get wild and add chopped bacon or ham, too!
Leftover Ground Beef Hash
- Store leftovers in a sealed dish and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
- Thoroughly cool the hash before freezing. Keep frozen up to 3 months.
FAQ
This dish is defined by its finely diced ingredients and combination of multiple ingredients. It's said that the name derives from the French word hacher which means to chop. I don't know if that is just internet lore, but it makes sense!
You can eat this as a one-pot meal, meaning all the components are in this one dish, so no sides are necessary. It would be great as a breakfast dish topped with a perfectly fried or poached egg. Or pair it with a crisp, bright salad to balance the richness of the hash.
Food safety
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
More ground beef recipes
Looking for other ground beef recipes? Try these:
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Ground Beef Sweet Potato Hash
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Tender crumbled beef with caramelized sweet potatoes, onion, and mushrooms that are spiked with fresh rosemary in a one-pot gluten-free dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 sweet onion, diced, about 1 ½ cups
- 1 lb sweet potato or yam, diced
- 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
- 3 oz chopped kale, about 2 full stems
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1-2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
Instructions
- Crumble the ground beef into a bowl. Add the baking soda to a small dish with a tablespoon of hot water and stir to dissolve. Pour the baking soda mixture over the ground beef and toss it around to coat the beef fully. While you are preparing the vegetables, let the beef sit and tenderize for 15 minutes before cooking.
- Warm a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and 1 teaspoon of salt. Cook until it is mostly browned, breaking it up into smaller crumbles with a spatula.
- Using a slotted spoon, remove the beef from the pan and set aside in a bowl, reserving 2-3 tablespoons of the beef fat in the skillet. Turn the temperature up to medium-high.
- Add the onion and sweet potato or yams and cook until the onions are translucent, stirring occasionally.
- Next, add the mushrooms, garlic, and rosemary until the onions have fully browned and the mushrooms are soft.
- Then add the kale, Worcestershire sauce, and cooked ground beef with any accumulated fat left in the bowl. Season with ground black pepper and stir to combine everything.
- Optional: Top with 4 tablespoons of butter. You can omit the butter, but this dish can sometimes run dry, so I like to add that tasty fat for flavor and moisture.
- Turn the heat to low and cover the pan. Cook it for 5-7 more minutes.
- Remove the lid and continue to cook until the sweet potatoes/yams have started to brown, 7-10 minutes, only stirring once or twice. Taste for salt before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main dish
- Method: Stove-top
- Cuisine: American
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