Ground Beef Hot Honey Bowl

I never thought I’d be the mom making viral TikTok recipes, but here we are—and this Ground Beef Hot Honey Bowl has completely taken over my meal prep routine. Last month, my teenage son actually asked for seconds on a “healthy” dinner, which honestly felt like winning the parenting lottery. This bowl brings together everything I love about balanced eating: serious protein content, incredible flavor combinations, and zero complaints from my family.

What makes this recipe so special is how it balances sweet roasted sweet potatoes with savory taco-seasoned beef, creamy cottage cheese for extra protein, and that perfect drizzle of hot honey that ties everything together. The combination sounds unconventional, but trust me—it works beautifully. Each bite delivers different textures and flavors that keep you coming back for more.

The best part? This Ground Beef Hot Honey Bowl delivers 33-38 grams of protein per serving while being naturally gluten-free and incredibly satisfying. It’s meal prep heaven because everything stores separately and tastes fresh even days later. You’re going to love this one!

Why You’ll Love This Ground Beef Hot Honey Bowl

I’ve made this countless times for everything from busy weeknight dinners to Sunday meal prep sessions, and it never fails to impress. The hot honey creates this incredible sweet-spicy balance that elevates the entire dish far beyond basic ground beef bowls—similar to what I do in my Spicy Ground Beef Sweet Potato Protein Bowl.

The roasted sweet potatoes develop these perfectly caramelized edges that pair beautifully with the creamy cottage cheese texture. Unlike complicated bowl recipes that require specialty ingredients, this uses simple pantry staples you likely already have. The assembly is incredibly forgiving for busy parents, and the individual components reheat perfectly for grab-and-go lunches throughout the week.

Storage & Serving Tips

These bowls taste absolutely incredible fresh from the kitchen when the sweet potatoes are still warm and the hot honey drizzle glistens perfectly. I recommend storing all components separately in airtight containers for up to four days in the refrigerator—this keeps the avocado from browning and the cottage cheese from getting watery. For reheating, warm just the beef and sweet potatoes in the microwave for 60-90 seconds, then add your cold toppings fresh.

Pro tip from my kitchen: if you’re meal prepping for the week, prepare double batches of the seasoned beef and roasted sweet potatoes since they freeze beautifully for up to three months. I often blend the cottage cheese with a splash of milk for an ultra-smooth, creamy texture that my kids prefer. The hot honey can be made ahead and stored at room temperature for weeks—just like the batch prep methods I use for my Grilled Chicken Sweet Potato Bowl.

What to Serve with Ground Beef Hot Honey Bowl?

This protein-packed bowl pairs wonderfully with fresh sides and crunchy elements that complement the sweet and savory flavors perfectly.

Fresh Mixed Greens: A simple side salad with lemon vinaigrette cuts through the richness while adding extra fiber and nutrients without competing with the main flavors.

Tortilla Chips or Plantain Chips: I often serve these alongside for extra crunch—the salty, crispy texture contrasts beautifully with the creamy cottage cheese and tender sweet potatoes.

Corn Salsa or Pico de Gallo: In my kitchen, I frequently add a fresh corn salsa on the side that brings brightness and acidity to balance the hot honey sweetness.

Pickled Red Onions: These add the perfect tangy bite that cuts through the richness while complementing the taco seasonings in the beef mixture.

Conclusion

Ground Beef Hot Honey Bowl

This viral Ground Beef Hot Honey Bowl combines taco-seasoned ground beef, roasted sweet potatoes, cottage cheese, and hot honey for a high-protein, naturally gluten-free meal that’s perfect for meal prep.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Servings: 4 portions

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 540

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 lb lean ground beef 93% preferred
• 2 medium sweet potatoes peeled and diced
• 1 whole avocado sliced
• 1 cup cottage cheese low-fat or full-fat
• 1 medium yellow onion diced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 packet taco seasoning or 2 tbsp homemade
• 2 tbsp hot honey store-bought or homemade
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• salt and pepper to taste

Equipment

• Baking sheet
• Large skillet
• Mixing bowls

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss diced sweet potatoes with 1 tbsp olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Spread on baking sheet and roast for 40–45 minutes, stirring halfway through.
2. In a large skillet, heat remaining olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
3. Add ground beef to skillet and season with taco seasoning. Cook until browned and flavorful, breaking up meat as it cooks. Add splash of water and simmer until mixture thickens.
4. In each bowl, layer roasted sweet potatoes, seasoned ground beef, sliced avocado, and cottage cheese.
5. Drizzle hot honey over the top and garnish with chopped cilantro, red pepper flakes, or lime wedge if desired.

Notes

Use 93% lean ground beef for best protein-to-fat ratio. Store components separately for meal prep. Don’t overcook beef after adding seasoning to prevent drying out. Adjust hot honey amount to control spice level.