Cumin-Spiced Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-30 · Updated 2026-07-30

A hearty one-pan meal featuring ground beef and sweet potatoes seasoned with warm cumin and smoked paprika for a satisfying Whole30 dinner. This Latin American Whole30 recipe (gluten free), ready in about 35 minutes, pairs ground beef (85% lean), sweet potatoes, and yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a Whole30 week and pairs well with roasted sweet potato or a simple olive-oil salad. Tap "Build a week of meals around this recipe" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef (85% lean)
• 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced into 1/2-inch cubes
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp sea salt, divided
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 tbsp fresh lime juice

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 diced yellow onion and sauté for 4-5 minutes until translucent.
2. Step 2: Add 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 tsp ground cumin, and 1 tsp smoked paprika to the onions and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Step 3: Add 1 lb ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook for 6-8 minutes until browned and cooked through.
4. Step 4: Push the beef mixture to one side of the skillet and add 1 tbsp olive oil and 2 peeled diced sweet potatoes. Season sweet potatoes with 1/2 tsp sea salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 10-12 minutes until tender and slightly caramelized.
5. Step 5: Mix the beef and sweet potatoes together, then season the entire skillet with 1/2 tsp sea salt and black pepper to taste.
6. Step 6: Remove from heat and stir in 1 tbsp fresh lime juice and 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro before serving.