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Close-up view of crispy golden-brown cubed potatoes and browned crumbled beef coated in a smoky paprika glaze.

The Ultimate Smoky Ground Beef and Potatoes Skillet

A hearty, one-skillet dinner featuring beautifully browned crumbled beef, crispy golden-brown potatoes, softened bell peppers, and translucent onions, all tossed in a rich, reddish-brown smoky paprika glaze.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 410

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 4 cups Russet potatoes Peeled and diced into uniform 1/2-inch cubes (about 600g)
  • 1 lb Lean ground beef 80/20 or 85/15 blend (450g)
  • 1/2 cup Red bell pepper Diced (75g)
  • 1/2 cup Green bell pepper Diced (75g)
  • 1 cup Yellow onion Diced (150g)
  • 2 tbsp Avocado or vegetable oil For high-heat searing (30ml)
  • 1 tbsp Smoked paprika (7g)
  • 1 tsp Garlic powder (5g)
  • 1 tsp Salt (5g)
  • 1 tsp Black pepper (5g)
  • 1/4 cup Beef broth (60ml)
  • 2 tbsp Fresh parsley Finely chopped, for garnish (10g)

Equipment

  • 1 Large Cast-Iron Skillet Essential for getting a deep, golden-brown crust on the potatoes.
  • 1 Metal Spatula Used to scrape up the savory browned bits from the bottom of the pan.

Method
 

Cooking Instructions
  1. Heat the oil in a heavy-bottomed cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced potatoes in a single layer. Cook without stirring for 4-5 minutes to develop a crisp crust, then flip and cook until golden-brown with slightly charred edges and fork-tender. Remove to a plate.
  2. In the same skillet, add the ground beef. Break it apart and cook until nicely browned and crumbled. Drain most of the excess grease, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan for flavor.
  3. Lower the heat to medium. Add the diced onions, red bell peppers, and green bell peppers to the beef. Cook until the onions are perfectly caramelized and translucent, and the peppers are visibly softened.
  4. Return the crispy potatoes to the skillet. Sprinkle the smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper over the mixture. Stir for 60 seconds to toast the spices.
  5. Pour in the beef broth. Stir continuously as the liquid bubbles and reduces, creating a rich, reddish-brown smoky glaze that coats the meat and vegetables. Remove from heat and garnish with finely chopped fresh green parsley flakes.

Notes

Pro Tip: Pat your cubed potatoes completely dry with a paper towel before adding them to the hot oil. This ensures a golden-brown crust rather than steaming.
Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.