This one pan steak and sweet potato skillet features juicy chunks of sirloin steak, creamy sweet potatoes, and red bell peppers that are cooked in a flavorful southwest seasoning! It’s an easy dinner that can be on the table in 30 minutes!
Don’t miss out on trying my popular southwest ground beef sweet potato skillet or these southwest steak bowls!
If you’ve been following me over the years you know I love a good one pan dinner that’s full of southwest flavors. This southwest sweet potato, black bean and rice skillet is a favorite for a vegetarian meal and lately I’ve been enjoying Mexican ground beef and potatoes.
This steak and sweet potato skillet has a lot of the same flavors, but I created it specifically for steak lovers! It uses top sirloin steak which is a great source of protein, leaner than other cuts of beef such as ribeye, and it’s a less expensive cut.
Adding sweet potatoes with steak is a great way to balance the protein with carbs and it adds a nice sweetness to pair with the savory steak. You can customize this recipe with different toppings or in the way that you serve it. It’s also a great one to add to your rotation if you meal prep!
Ingredient Notes
Chili powder, cumin garlic powder, smoked paprika – The southwest spice blend used to season the steak and sweet potatoes.
Steak – Top sirloin steak is what I used. It has a great beefy flavor and it’s leaner and less expensive than other cuts of beef. You can also use ribeye or New York strip.
Sweet potatoes – To avoid stringy sweet potatoes, look for ones that are short and round versus the long narrow ones. You can also use purple sweet potatoes or Japanese sweet potatoes.
Red bell pepper – Steak and peppers are a fantastic combination, which you already know if you’ve made my Philly cheesesteak skillet! I like red bell peppers for their sweeter flavor, but you can use a green bell pepper if you prefer.
Green onion, cilantro – I love using green onions for this recipe because they cook quickly and you can throw them in at the end. Cilantro, like the green onions, gets added at the end and gives the steak and sweet potatoes a nice fresh flavor.
Lime – Squeeze the lime juice in at the end to give the dish a pop of zesty fresh flavor.
Tips for Making Sweet Potatoes with Steak
- Use a cast iron skillet to get a nice sear on the steak.
- Make sure the skillet is hot before adding the steak to it. If the skillet isn’t hot enough you won’t get that brown seared crust on the steak.
- Par-cook the sweet potatoes in the microwave before adding them to the skillet. To make sure the sweet potatoes cook quickly and aren’t overcooked on the outside and raw inside, cut them into cubes and add them to a glass bowl with a tablespoon of water. Microwave for 2 minutes, stir, and microwave another 1-2 minutes. They should be soft, but not fully cooked.
- Don’t overcook the steak or it will be tough and chewy. Sear for 1-2 minutes then flip the cubes over and cook another 1-2 minutes before removing them onto a plate. They will continue to cook as they rest and when added back into the skillet.
- Squeeze the lime juice in off the heat at the very end. If added sooner it will lose its potency and fresh flavor and can turn bitter.
Serving Suggestions
You can serve steak and sweet potatoes right out of the skillet, but you also have options. For additional toppings try adding shredded cheddar cheese, chunks of avocado, a dollop of Greek yogurt or sour cream, or stir in a few spoonfuls of your favorite salsa.
For additional carbs, I like to serve it a side of cilantro lime rice or black beans and rice. You can also use it as a filling for a wrap or tacos.
Storage
The steak and sweet potato skillet will keep for 4-5 days in an airtight container in the fridge. You can also freeze it once it’s cooled completely for up to 3 months. Defrost it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Reheat the leftovers in the microwave or in a skillet in the stove over medium heat just until warm.
More Easy Beef Recipes
If you love this easy steak dinner, I think you’ll enjoy these beef recipes too!
If you make this Steak and Sweet Potato Skilletplease leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! I love hearing from you and do my best to respond to your comments. And if you’re on Instagram tag @reciperunner so I can see your beautiful creations!
Combine the dried spices, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
Place the diced sweet potatoes in a microwave safe bowl along with a tablespoon of water. Microwave for 2 minutes, stir, then microwave another 1-2 minutes. The sweet potatoes should be soft, but not completely cooked.
Add a teaspoon of the spice blend to the sweet potatoes and toss them in it until coated.
Add a tablespoon of oil to a large skillet. Heat it over medium-high heat. Toss the chunks of steak in the remaining spice blend. Add them to the skillet and spread into a single layer. Cook for 1-2 minutes then flip them oven and cook another 1-2 minutes. Remove it onto a plate.
Add the remaining tablespoon of oil to the skillet. Add in the red bell pepper, sweet potato, and green onion. Saute for 3-4 minutes or until the sweet potato is tender and the pepper is crisp tender (think stir fry).
Add the steak back into the skillet along with the cilantro. Stir everything together then turn off the heat and squeeze in the lime juice. Stir to combine and taste for seasoning. Garnish with extra green onions and cilantro, then serve.
Calories: 398kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 41gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 100mgSodium: 1050mgPotassium: 1131mgFiber: 5gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 17589IUVitamin C: 47mgCalcium: 93mgIron: 4mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
