Can you eat sweet potatoes straight from the ground?

Technically, yes but I wouldn’t recommend it. Freshly dug sweet potatoes are starchy and not fully sweet. Let them cure in a warm, dry spot for about 1 to 2 weeks. That curing process improves both their flavor and texture.

How do you know when not to eat sweet potatoes?

If a sweet potato feels soft, smells sour, or shows signs of mold or shriveling, don’t use it. A healthy one should feel firm and dry. Trust your nose if it smells off, toss it.

Are sweet potatoes dry when you cut them?

Yes, they should be. When slicing sweet potatoes for any dish especially this ground meat and sweet potatoes recipe the flesh should feel firm and dry. If it’s wet or slimy, it’s past its prime.

What happens if you leave sweet potatoes in the ground too long?

If left in the ground too long, sweet potatoes can become tough, fibrous, or even rot especially in cold or soggy soil. For the best flavor and texture in dishes like ground meat and sweet potatoes, harvest them before the first frost.

Ground Meat And Sweet Potatoes Recipe For Easy Dinners

Name: One-Pan Sweet Potato and Ground Beef Skillet
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef (or turkey, chicken, or plant-based alternative); 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced small; 1 small red onion, diced; 1 bell pepper (any color), chopped; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 2 tbsp olive oil; Salt and black pepper, to taste; 1 tsp smoked paprika; 1/2 tsp ground cumin; 1/4 tsp chili flakes (optional); 1/2 tsp dried oregano; Optional toppings: chopped cilantro, avocado, lime, Greek yogurt

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb ground beef (or turkey, chicken, or plant-based alternative)

2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced small

1 small red onion, diced

1 bell pepper (any color), chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 tbsp olive oil

Salt and black pepper, to taste

1 tsp smoked paprika

1/2 tsp ground cumin

1/4 tsp chili flakes (optional)

1/2 tsp dried oregano

Optional toppings: chopped cilantro, avocado, lime, Greek yogurt

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Instructions

1. Peel and dice sweet potatoes. Chop onion, bell pepper, and garlic.

2. In a large skillet, heat 1 tbsp olive oil. Add sweet potatoes and cook 8–10 mins until golden. Set aside.

3. Add remaining oil and ground meat to skillet. Brown 6–8 mins, breaking apart.

4. Add onion, bell pepper, garlic. Sauté 4–5 mins until softened.

5. Add spices, salt, pepper. Stir well.

6. Return sweet potatoes to skillet. Mix and cook 3–4 more minutes.

7. Remove from heat. Top with cilantro, avocado, or yogurt if desired.

Notes

Refrigerate up to 4 days or freeze for 2 months.

Swap beef with lentils or tofu for a vegan version.

Author: Chef Rita
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Skillet
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bowl
Calories: 370
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 420mg
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 29g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 23g
Cholesterol: 55mg