As an athlete, I’m always looking for meals that strike a good balance between macronutrients, flavour, and satisfaction—and this viral Hot Honey Sweet Potato Beef Bowls does exactly that. It’s packed with lean protein, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats, making it an excellent option for refuelling after a training session.
This recipe isn’t just about hitting macro goals—it’s also about enjoying real, whole foods that taste great. The combination of spiced beef, roasted sweet potatoes, fresh veggies, and a drizzle of hot honey provides a mix of textures and flavours that will keep you coming back for more.
Why you’ll love this Hot Honey Sweet Potato Beef Bowl
High in Protein
Each serving provides approximately 45g of protein, coming from lean beef and cottage cheese.
High-protein meals help with muscle recovery, making this an excellent post-workout meal.
Protein also helps you feel fuller for longer and helps stabilise blood sugar levels.
Nutrient-Dense Carbohydrates for Energy
Sweet potatoes offer complex carbs, fibre, and vitamin A, supporting gut health and immunity.
Unlike refined carbs, sweet potatoes provide sustained energy without blood sugar crashes.
Quick and Easy
Despite the layers of flavour, this dish comes together surprisingly fast. The sweet potatoes roast in the oven while you whip up the spiced beef in a frying pan, making it a perfect weeknight meal.
How to make hot honey at home
You don’t need a bottle of hot honey from the shops —just grab your honey and something spicy, and you’re good to go!
This method is fast, easy, and brings out the flavour of the chilli by gently heating the honey.
What You Need:
- 4 tbsp honey (any type you have)
- 1 tsp chilli flakes (adjust to taste)
How to Make It:
- Add honey and chilli flakes to a small saucepan over low heat.
- Stir gently and let it warm for 1-2 minutes—don’t let it boil, or the honey may burn.
- Remove from heat and let it sit for a minute to allow the chilli to infuse.
- Use immediately or store in a jar for later.
Tip: If you want a smooth hot honey, strain out the chilli flakes before storing.
No chilli flakes? Try cayenne pepper or smoked paprika instead.
How to make your own taco seasoning
Let’s be honest, pre-made taco seasoning is convenient, but have you ever looked at the ingredients? Some brands sneak in extra salt, preservatives, and even sugar (why?!) But here’s the good news: making your own spice mix takes less than a minute, costs less, and lets you adjust the flavours just how you like them
The best part? You probably already have everything you need in your pantry. Smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder—it’s all the usual suspects, just waiting to be mixed together.
Once you try this homemade blend, you’ll never go back. Plus, you can tweak it to suit your taste—like extra heat? Add more cayenne. Want it milder? Dial it back.
Ingredients (Makes 3 tbsp):
½ tsp sea salt
¼ tsp black pepper
2 tsp smoked paprika
2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
½ tsp dried oregano
½ tsp ground coriander
½ tsp chilli powder (adjust to taste)
¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
Just mix everything together and store it in an airtight jar. It’s perfect for seasoning beef, chicken, veggies—whatever you’re cooking up. Once you make it yourself, you’ll wonder why you ever bought the packet version!
Macro Breakdown per Serving (serves 4)
Calories: 580 kcal
Protein: 45g
Carbs: 58g
Fats: 20g
Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary based on portion size and ingredients used. For personalised advice, please consult a qualified nutritionist or healthcare professional.
Hot Honey Sweet Potato Beef Bowls
4
servings5
minutes40
minutesIngredients
- For the sweet potatoes:
600g sweet potato, peeled and diced into 2 cm cubes
1 tbsp taco seasoning (store-bought or homemade – see below)
1 tbsp olive oil
- For the beef mince:
500g lean beef mince
400g tin black beans, drained
1 tbsp taco seasoning (*store-bought or homemade – see below*)
2 tbsp water
- For the hot honey:
4 tbsp honey
1 tsp chilli flakes, adjust to taste
- To serve:
2 cups (450g) cottage cheese
2 cups shredded iceberg lettuce
1 punnet cherry tomatoes, halved
½ red onion, thinly sliced
- Homemade Taco Seasoning (makes about 3 tbsp)
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 tsp smoked paprika
2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
½ tsp dried oregano
½ tsp ground coriander
½ tsp chilli powder (adjust to taste)
¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
Directions
- For the sweet potato:
- Preheat the oven to 220°C (fan-forced 200°C) and line a baking tray with baking paper.
- Place the diced sweet potato on the tray, drizzle with olive oil, and toss with 1 tbsp taco seasoning.
- Roast for 30 minutes, flipping halfway, or until golden and tender.
- For the beef mince:
- Heat a frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the beef mince and cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, until browned. Stir in the black beans and cook until heated through.
- Add 1 tbsp taco seasoning and water. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring until well combined. Remove from heat.
- For the hot honey:
- In a small saucepan over low heat, warm the honey with chilli flakes for 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and let it sit for a minute to infuse.
- Assemble the bowls:
- Divide the sweet potato, beef mince, cottage cheese, lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and red onion between serving bowls. Drizzle with hot honey and serve. Enjoy!
