The Ground Beef Hot Honey Bowl is a game-changer in my dinner lineup. It’s the perfect blend of sweet, spicy, creamy, and savory—all in one balanced, high-protein bowl. With roasted sweet potatoes, spiced ground beef, creamy cottage cheese, buttery avocado, and a bold drizzle of hot honey, this dish brings viral flavor straight to my kitchen. Whether I’m cooking for myself or prepping meals for the week, it’s always a win.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Here’s why I keep coming back to this irresistible bowl:
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Flavor Explosion – Sweet potatoes, spicy beef, creamy cheese, and hot honey? It’s a perfect combo.
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High-Protein Power – Thanks to the ground beef and cottage cheese, I get over 30g of protein per serving.
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Meal Prep Friendly – I make the components in bulk and build bowls all week without getting bored.
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Naturally Gluten-Free – It fits into a variety of dietary goals without compromising taste.
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Customizable – I can tweak the heat, swap proteins, or add extra veggies as I like.
Ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
– Lean ground beef (93% preferred)
– Sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
– Avocado, sliced
– Cottage cheese (low-fat or full-fat)
– Yellow onion, diced
– Olive oil
– Taco seasoning (packet or homemade)
– Hot honey
– Paprika
– Garlic powder
– Cinnamon
– Salt and pepper
Directions
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Roast the Sweet Potatoes
I preheat the oven to 400°F. Then I toss the diced sweet potatoes with olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. I spread them on a baking sheet and roast for 40–45 minutes, stirring halfway through. -
Cook the Ground Beef
In a skillet, I heat the remaining olive oil and sauté the diced onion until soft. I add the ground beef, season it with taco mix, and cook until browned and well-seasoned. -
Assemble the Bowls
In each bowl, I layer the roasted sweet potatoes, cooked ground beef, sliced avocado, and a generous scoop of cottage cheese. -
Add the Hot Honey
I drizzle hot honey over the top for that signature sweet-spicy finish. A sprinkle of chopped cilantro or a wedge of lime adds a nice final touch if I have them on hand.
Servings and timing
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Servings: 4
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Prep Time: 10 minutes
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Cook Time: 45 minutes
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Total Time: 55 minutes
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Calories per serving: Approx. 520 kcal
Variations
– Swap the Protein: I’ve used ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based crumbles and they all work beautifully.
– Vegan Version: I replace the beef with seasoned lentils and use vegan cottage cheese or blended tofu.
– Add a Grain Base: Sometimes I bulk it up with quinoa, brown rice, or farro under the sweet potatoes.
– Spice Level Control: I adjust the hot honey heat by adding more chili flakes or using a mild version.
– Topping Ideas: Crumbled feta, pickled onions, or jalapeño slices are great for extra punch.
Storage/Reheating
– Storage: I store the beef, sweet potatoes, and toppings in separate containers in the fridge for up to 4 days.
– Reheating: I reheat the beef and sweet potatoes in the microwave or skillet, then assemble fresh with avocado and cottage cheese.
– Meal Prep Tip: I keep the hot honey in a small container to drizzle fresh just before eating.
FAQs
Can I make this bowl dairy-free?
Yes, I swap the cottage cheese with a dairy-free alternative or use hummus or mashed avocado instead for creaminess.
Is it too spicy for kids?
I adjust the hot honey or leave it off entirely for a milder version that kids enjoy. The sweet potatoes and beef still taste great on their own.
Can I make the hot honey myself?
Absolutely. I mix regular honey with chili flakes or a few drops of sriracha. I let it sit for a bit to let the spice infuse before using.
What can I use instead of sweet potatoes?
Roasted butternut squash, plantains, or even brown rice make great substitutes if I’m out of sweet potatoes.
How long does homemade hot honey last?
When stored in a sealed container at room temperature, it lasts up to 3 months. I like to make a small batch and use it on everything.
Conclusion
The Ground Beef Hot Honey Bowl is bold, balanced, and seriously addictive. It’s one of those meals that satisfies every craving—sweet, spicy, creamy, and savory—all in a single bowl. I love how easy it is to customize, and it fits perfectly into my weekly meal prep routine. If you’re ready for something exciting, protein-packed, and totally satisfying, this bowl is the one. Try it once, and I bet it’ll become your go-to comfort meal just like it did for me.
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Ground Beef Hot Honey Bowl Recipe Everyone’s Craving Right Now
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
The Ground Beef Hot Honey Bowl is a sweet, spicy, savory, and creamy high-protein dish featuring roasted sweet potatoes, taco-seasoned ground beef, avocado, cottage cheese, and a bold drizzle of hot honey. Perfect for meal prep and naturally gluten-free.
Ingredients
1 lb lean ground beef (93% preferred)
2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
1 avocado, sliced
1 cup cottage cheese (low-fat or full-fat)
1 small yellow onion, diced
2 tbsp olive oil
1 packet taco seasoning or homemade mix
2 tbsp hot honey
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Toss diced sweet potatoes with 1 tbsp olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 40–45 minutes, stirring halfway.
- In a skillet, heat remaining olive oil and sauté diced onion until soft, about 3–4 minutes.
- Add ground beef to the skillet. Sprinkle with taco seasoning and cook until browned and fully cooked through, about 7–10 minutes.
- To assemble, divide roasted sweet potatoes into bowls. Top with cooked beef, sliced avocado, and a scoop of cottage cheese.
- Drizzle hot honey over the top just before serving. Optionally garnish with chopped cilantro or a lime wedge.
Notes
Use ground turkey, chicken, or lentils for variation.
Add grains like quinoa or brown rice to bulk up the bowl.
Swap cottage cheese for hummus or a dairy-free alternative if needed.
Control heat by adjusting the amount of hot honey or using a mild version.
Pickled onions, feta, or jalapeños make great toppings.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Roasted + Stovetop
- Cuisine: Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 670mg
- Fat: 29g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 80mg