Last month I threw together whatever looked good in my fridge and accidentally created what my husband now calls "the bowl that changed everything." This Ground Beef Hot Honey Bowl has that perfect sweet-heat combo that makes you want another bite before you've even finished chewing. The caramelized sweet potatoes get all crispy on the edges, the seasoned beef is savory and rich, and that hot honey drizzle ties it all together in the most addictive way.
My sister made it three times in one week and said she's never going back to boring meal prep. It's colorful, filling, and honestly tastes way too good to be this easy.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
This Ground Beef Hot Honey Bowl checks every single box for a perfect weeknight dinner. You get high protein from the beef, natural sweetness from roasted sweet potatoes, healthy fats from avocado, and that signature hot honey kick that makes it absolutely crave-worthy. My daughter who usually picks at her food cleaned her entire bowl and asked if we could have it again tomorrow.
These viral hot honey ground beef bowls are all over social media for good reason - they're customizable, meal prep friendly, and come together in about 30 minutes. Whether you're looking for healthy high protein ground beef recipes or just want something that tastes incredible without much effort, this beef hot honey bowl delivers every single time.
Jump to:
What You'll Need
Simple, wholesome ingredients that create something seriously special. This is the kind of meal that feels restaurant-quality but uses everyday staples.
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 works great)
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, cubed
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons hot honey (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups cooked white rice or cauliflower rice
- 1 ripe avocado, sliced
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
Optional Extras
Add a fried egg on top for extra protein, some crumbled feta or cotija cheese for tanginess, or a squeeze of lime juice for brightness. Some people love adding black beans or roasted corn for more texture.
Everything you need to make this ground beef hot honey bowl is in the card.
How to Make Ground Beef Hot Honey Bowl
Roast the Sweet Potatoes
Toss your cubed sweet potatoes with olive oil, half the garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Spread them on a baking sheet in a single layer and roast at 425°F for about 25 minutes, flipping halfway through. You want them golden and crispy on the outside, tender on the inside. The caramelization is what makes this hot honey ground beef sweet potato bowl so good. My mom always says the crispier the better, and she's absolutely right.
Cook the Ground Beef
While those potatoes are roasting, brown your ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Break it up into small crumbles as it cooks. Once it's no longer pink, drain any excess fat, then season with the remaining garlic powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Let it get really browned and a little crispy in spots. That's where all the flavor lives.
Make the Hot Honey
If you're making your own hot honey, just warm regular honey with red pepper flakes to taste. For store-bought, you're already set. Drizzle about half of it over the cooked beef and stir it through. The sweetness balances the savory beef perfectly and gives you that sticky, addictive coating.
Can I use ground turkey instead? Absolutely! Ground turkey works beautifully in this hot honey turkey bowl. Just add a bit more seasoning since turkey is milder than beef, and maybe an extra drizzle of olive oil.
Assemble Your Bowls
Start with a base of rice in each bowl. Add a portion of the seasoned ground beef, a generous scoop of roasted sweet potatoes, sliced avocado, and fresh cilantro. Drizzle the remaining hot honey over everything. The combination of textures and flavors in every bite is absolutely incredible. This is the kind of meal that looks as good as it tastes.
Aliana's Top Tip
The secret to making these viral hot honey beef bowls truly outstanding is getting those sweet potatoes really crispy.
Don't overcrowd your baking sheet or they'll steam instead of roast.
I also love adding a tiny pinch of cinnamon to the sweet potatoes before roasting - it brings out their natural sweetness and pairs beautifully with the hot honey.
My husband thought I was crazy until he tasted it, and now he insists on it every time.
Ingredient Substitutions & Variations
Swap ground beef for ground turkey or chicken for a leaner beef hot honey bowl. Use quinoa instead of rice for more protein. Try regular potatoes if you don't have sweet potatoes, or even butternut squash. For easy ground beef variations, add different spices like taco seasoning or Italian herbs.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
These beef bowl meal prep containers keep beautifully in the fridge for up to 4 days. Store the components separately if possible - keep the avocado separate and add it fresh. Reheat the beef and sweet potatoes together in the microwave for about 2 minutes, or in a skillet for extra crispiness. The hot honey can be drizzled on just before eating. These make perfect ground beef lunch ideas when you prep them on Sunday for the week ahead.
What to Serve With Ground Beef Hot Honey Bowl
This ground beef hot honey bowl is pretty complete on its own, but it's amazing with a simple side salad or some tortilla chips and salsa. My family loves it with a cold glass of iced tea or lemonade to balance the heat from the honey. It's also great as part of a bigger spread for high protein bowls dinner when you have guests.
FAQs About Ground Beef Hot Honey Bowl
Can I use a different protein?
Definitely! Ground turkey, chicken, or even crumbled tempeh work great in these protein bowl recipes dinners.
What's the best way to get crispy sweet potatoes?
High heat, single layer, and don't skip flipping them halfway through. A little extra olive oil helps too.
How spicy is hot honey?
It has a gentle heat that most people love. If you're sensitive to spice, use less or try regular honey with just a tiny pinch of red pepper flakes.
Can I make this ahead for meal prep?
Yes! This is one of the best beef meal prep ideas. Cook everything on Sunday and portion it into containers. Just keep components separate and assemble when ready to eat.
More Recipes You'll Love
If you're into easy healthy beef dinner recipes and high protein meals with ground beef, you'll want to check out more protein meals healthy on my site. I've got tons of ground beef Dinner ideas healthy and beef healthy recipes that are just as delicious as this one. My collection of easy ground beef recipes will keep your weeknight dinners interesting all month long.
Tried this recipe? Tag me on Pinterest @AlianaRecipes - I'd love to see your twist on it!
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Ground Beef Hot Honey Bowl Recipe:
Leave a Reply