Looking for a flavorful and filling paleo meal you can get on the table fast? This Paleo Sweet Potato and Ground Beef Bowl brings together savory beef, spiced roasted sweet potatoes, and a zesty cilantro-lime drizzle, all in one nourishing dish. It’s gluten-free, dairy-free, grain-free, and packed with bold flavors that work for weeknights or meal prep. If you love dishes like my paleo chicken burrito bowl or want something as satisfying as paleo sambal shrimp wraps, this one’s for you.
Table of Contents
Why This Paleo Sweet Potato and Ground Beef Bowl Is on Repeat in My Kitchen
I’m Jake, a home cook out in rural Pennsylvania where good food means real food. This paleo sweet potato and ground beef bowl started showing up in my meal rotation after my wife and I did our first Whole30 a few years back. We were hooked on the energy we felt, and this combo of roasted sweet potatoes with seasoned ground beef just worked.
It reminded me of something my grandma Evelyn might’ve made with what she had on the farm. Simple, hearty, and made to nourish. But now, I get to spice it up a bit (with cumin, lime, and chili powder) and make it paleo without any grains or processed extras.
What’s great is how this dish comes together fast. While the potatoes roast in the oven, I brown the beef with onions, garlic, and peppers on the stovetop. It’s one of those meals where the kitchen smells amazing before dinner even hits the table.
A Bowl That Balances Flavor, Nutrition, and Ease
This bowl isn’t just good, it’s good for you. Sweet potatoes bring natural sweetness, fiber, and vitamins, and they help keep the kids full without begging for snacks an hour later. The ground beef packs in protein and healthy fats, and when you top everything with a creamy, herby sauce made from coconut milk and lime? That’s flavor with purpose.
It’s easy to customize. You can make it spicier, swap in ground turkey, or serve it over cauliflower rice. It’s also perfect for meal prep, just portion it out and reheat when you need it.
If you’re used to more classic comfort meals, think of this as the paleo version of meat and potatoes, but with way more flavor and a lighter feel. It’s also a great starting point if you’re new to paleo or want to keep dinner clean and simple without giving up on taste.
Ingredients That Make This Bowl Work Every Time
PrintPaleo Sweet Potato and Ground Beef Bowl for Easy, Flavorful Dinners
- Total Time: 40 mins
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
A hearty, flavorful paleo bowl made with roasted sweet potatoes, seasoned ground beef, and a creamy cilantro-lime drizzle. Quick to make and perfect for meal prep.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced (orange if possible)
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tsp. ground cumin
- 1 tsp. paprika
- 1 tsp. chili powder
- 1 tsp. dried oregano
- Cooking fat (avocado oil or similar)
- 2 green onions, sliced
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 2 sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- Juice of half a lime
- 2 tsp. chili powder
- ½ tsp. cumin
- ¼ cup cilantro, chopped
- ¼ cup coconut milk
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1 tsp. chili powder
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
2. Toss sweet potatoes with olive oil, lime juice, chili powder, and cumin. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Spread them on a baking sheet and roast for 15 to 20 minutes until golden and tender.
4. While roasting, heat a skillet over medium with cooking fat.
5. Sauté onion and garlic until soft, about 2 minutes.
6. Add ground beef, break it up with a spatula, and cook until browned, around 6 minutes.
7. Stir in bell pepper and cook 3–4 minutes.
8. Add paprika, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir to coat well.
9. In a small bowl, mix coconut milk, lime juice, cilantro, and chili powder to make the drizzle.
10. To serve, add sweet potatoes to a bowl, top with beef mixture, and drizzle with sauce. Garnish with green onions.
Notes
You can swap the ground beef for turkey or bison.
Roasted cauliflower works great if you want to cut carbs.
The drizzle keeps well in the fridge for 2 to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet, Roasting
- Cuisine: Paleo
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 487
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 203mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 23g
- Cholesterol: 81mg
Keywords: paleo sweet potato and ground beef bowl, paleo ground beef recipe, whole30 beef bowl
Let’s talk about what goes into this Paleo Sweet Potato and Ground Beef Bowl. At the heart of it, you’ve got two pantry-friendly staples I lean on all the time: ground beef and sweet potatoes. Together, they check all the boxes for a solid paleo dinner. The beef gives you plenty of satisfying protein and that hearty feel we all crave, while the sweet potatoes bring in a mellow sweetness that balances the spices perfectly.
You don’t need anything fancy. An onion, a clove of garlic, a bell pepper; those go in the pan first and lay down the foundation. Once that beef hits the skillet, the real magic starts. Add some chili powder, cumin, paprika, and oregano, and you’re working with a mix that’s warm and bold but not too hot. I like to splash in a little lime juice to cut through the richness and brighten things up.
And don’t forget the drizzle. It’s just coconut milk, lime juice, chopped cilantro, and another sprinkle of chili powder, but it ties everything together beautifully. I learned that trick while working on my paleo chorizo meatballs, a good sauce can take a bowl from basic to crave-worthy.
Simple Swaps for Real-Life Cooking
This Paleo Sweet Potato and Ground Beef Bowl is super flexible, which is exactly what you want on a busy weeknight. Don’t have ground beef? Use ground bison, turkey, or even shredded chicken. I’ve used leftover roast before, and it worked just fine. Paleo cooking should feel doable, not stressful.
Trying to cut back on carbs a bit? Roasted cauliflower or butternut squash makes a great substitute for sweet potatoes. You still get that warm, roasted flavor without the starch. If nightshades are a problem, skip the bell pepper and go light on the chili powder or swap in turmeric for a different kind of warmth.
Fresh out of herbs? Dried oregano or parsley can fill in. No lime on hand? Lemon works too. This bowl is forgiving, like my paleo chicken nuggets with coconut, it’s real food that adapts to real life.
Once you make this bowl a few times, you’ll start adding your own twists. That’s what I love most about meals like this. They start with a solid base, then evolve to fit whatever’s in your fridge or on your plate.
How to Make This Paleo Sweet Potato and Ground Beef Bowl Step by Step
I make this paleo sweet potato and ground beef bowl at least once a week. It’s one of those recipes that doesn’t need measuring cups or timers once you’ve done it a couple times. You just know when it’s ready. It smells right. It looks right. And most importantly, it tastes the way dinner should taste after a long day.
You’ll start with the sweet potatoes. Peel and dice them into bite-sized chunks. Drizzle on some olive oil, squeeze in a bit of lime, then add a sprinkle of chili powder and a pinch of cumin. I always mix them right on the baking sheet to save dishes. Spread them out so they roast, not steam. If the pieces are too close together, they get soft instead of golden. Into a 425-degree oven they go, and in about 20 minutes, they’ll be perfect. Soft on the inside, crisp at the edges, and loaded with flavor.
While the potatoes are in the oven, get a skillet going on medium heat. Add your favorite cooking fat. I like avocado oil or beef tallow if I have it. Toss in chopped onion and garlic, let them soften for a minute or two, then add the ground beef. Break it up with a spatula and let it brown. It usually takes about 6 minutes. You’ll start seeing some bits caramelize and stick to the bottom of the pan, that’s where the flavor hides.
Next, stir in your diced bell pepper. Let it soften for a few minutes, then add your seasonings. Paprika. Chili powder. Cumin. Oregano. Salt and pepper. It should look like it belongs in a taco, but smell even better. The spices should coat the beef, and the whole pan should feel like it’s telling you dinner’s almost done.
Pulling the Bowl Together
Once everything is cooked, it’s time to build your bowl. This is where the paleo sweet potato and ground beef bowl really shines. Grab a big spoonful of those roasted potatoes and drop them into your bowl. Then pile on the spiced ground beef mixture, making sure to scoop up some of those caramelized onions and bell peppers too.
Now comes my favorite part, the drizzle. It’s a quick mix of coconut milk, lime juice, chopped cilantro, and a little chili powder. Stir it together until it’s smooth, then pour it right over the top. It adds brightness and creaminess that makes the whole dish feel complete. You can sprinkle on some sliced green onions or extra herbs if you have them, but it’s optional.
This paleo sweet potato and ground beef bowl is just as good packed up for lunch the next day. I usually keep the sauce in a separate container so it stays fresh. It reheats well and never feels like leftovers. If you’re into batch cooking, go ahead and double the recipe. You won’t regret having a few extra servings waiting in the fridge.
I’ve made a lot of one-bowl meals, but this one is the one that sticks. It’s as easy as my chicken and broccoli stir-fry, but somehow feels even more satisfying. If you’ve been searching for a dinner that checks all the paleo boxes and still tastes like something your whole family will want again, this is it.
The Health Perks Behind This Paleo Sweet Potato and Ground Beef Bowl
This paleo sweet potato and ground beef bowl isn’t just tasty. It’s made with real food that actually fills you up and gives your body something it can use. Whether you’re eating paleo or just trying to keep things clean and simple, this bowl hits the mark.
I know sweet potatoes get some side-eye in strict paleo groups, but for me, they’re a no-brainer. They’ve got fiber, vitamins A and C, and a good dose of potassium. That mix helps keep your energy steady and your stomach happy. They’re also easy to find, and they show up in my kitchen all year, whether it’s chilly and I’m roasting everything or it’s warm out and I’m tossing them in a quick skillet.
Then there’s the ground beef. It gives this bowl that comforting, satisfying feel. When I use grass-fed beef, I know I’m getting more than just protein. It’s got better fats, more nutrients, and it helps me stay full without needing to snack later. That matters when the day’s packed and I need something that holds me over.
I came up with this paleo sweet potato and ground beef bowl on a night when I needed dinner fast but still wanted it to taste like I tried. It ended up being one of those recipes that sticks. It’s flavorful, it’s filling, and everything in it has a purpose. No fillers. No junk. Just real ingredients that work well together.
That’s pretty much what I’m always going for on Paleo Tasties. Meals that are doable, satisfying, and made for real life. If this paleo sweet potato and ground beef bowl speaks your language, you’ll probably find a few more keepers on the main recipe page or tucked into the recipe sitemap.
Let’s Wrap It Up
This paleo sweet potato and ground beef bowl is the kind of meal that feels like home. It’s simple. It’s filling. And it’s the kind of recipe I keep coming back to, not because it’s perfect, but because it works ; again and again.
You don’t need much. Just a skillet, a few ingredients, and twenty good minutes. Whether it’s a quiet evening or total chaos in the kitchen, this bowl always comes through. It’s honest food. The kind I grew up watching my grandmother make, just with a paleo twist.
If you’re into meals that fit your real life, this one’s right there with the turkey zucchini skillet and the spaghetti squash taco bowls. They’re not showy, but they’re solid. And that’s what most of us need.
So go ahead. Make it messy. Make it yours. And if it ends up becoming a regular in your kitchen like it did in mine, I hope it brings your people around the table the same way it brings mine.
Paleo FAQs Answered
Why are sweet potatoes not allowed on paleo?
That’s a common question. Some of the older or stricter paleo guides leave out sweet potatoes because they’re higher in carbs. But most folks in the modern paleo space, including people doing Whole30, are totally on board with them. They’ve got fiber, antioxidants, and a kind of starch that digests slowly, so you stay full and don’t get that sugar spike. Around here, they’re a staple, especially in a bowl like this.
Does ground beef go with sweet potatoes?
For sure. I actually think they’re one of the best food pairs out there. The sweet potato brings this mellow sweetness, and the beef adds that savory, satisfying bite. Add a few spices, and every bite has contrast and depth. That’s what makes the paleo sweet potato and ground beef bowl one of my go-to meals during the week.
What meat pairs well with sweet potatoes?
You’ve got options. Roasted chicken is a solid match. Pulled pork is amazing. Bison and lamb also bring out that natural sweetness in the potatoes. Basically, sweet potatoes are pretty flexible. They soak up seasoning and hold their own with heartier proteins, which makes them easy to work into a bunch of different paleo meals.
What is a healthy alternative to butter on sweet potatoes?
If you’re skipping dairy, you’ve still got some tasty choices. A splash of olive oil does the trick nicely. Coconut oil is another good one, it gives them a subtle richness. And if you’re feeling fancy, mix up a quick sauce like the coconut lime drizzle from this bowl. It’s creamy and full of flavor, no butter needed.