Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Easy Sweet-Potato Hash with Bacon

Easy Sweet Potato Hash with Bacon

Serve as a side, or top with a fried egg for a quick main course

So you’ll probably have some sweet potatoes left over from Thanksgiving dinner, right? And your guests will be hungry the day after, despite the huge meal you served. (Funny how that works.)

If you roast sweet potatoes on Thanksgiving, you’ll have the perfect leftover ingredient for a tasty breakfast dish. Or even the foundation for a quick dinner.

This Easy Sweet-Potato Hash with Bacon makes a savory side. Or top it with a fried or poached egg for a one-dish meal. Add a beverage of your choice (if it’s dinner, a glass of wine would go well), and you’re all set.

So hash your mouth.


Easy Sweet Potato Hash with Bacon

Recipe: Easy Sweet-Potato Hash with Bacon

Although we like to make this dish with leftover Roast Sweet Potatoes, you can also make it with raw, uncooked sweet potatoes. We provide instructions for making the dish both ways.

Exact ingredient quantities aren’t critical for this dish. So feel free to change things up to suit whatever you have on hand—and your own tastes. In particular, you might want to add more bacon than we specify.

This recipe takes about 30 to 40 minutes from start to finish.

It serves 3 to 4 as a main course, or twice that number as a side dish. Leftovers will keep in the refrigerator for a day or two if stored in an airtight container.

Ingredients
  • ~1½ pounds leftover roast sweet potatoes; or whole, raw sweet potatoes (exact quantity not crucial)
  • ½ pound bacon (or to taste)
  • ~1 cup chopped onion (1 large onion)
  • 1 large red bell pepper (can substitute green, orange, or yellow)
  • 2 to 3 cloves of garlic
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons minced fresh rosemary (see Notes for substitutions)
  • ~1 tablespoon olive oil, only if needed (which it probably won’t be; see Step 9)
  • ~½ teaspoon Kosher salt (or to taste; see Notes)
  • freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (or to taste; optional)
  • garnish of fresh rosemary sprigs and/or Fried Eggs (optional; may also use Poached Eggs)
Procedure
  1. If using leftover roast sweet potatoes, cut them into dice of ½ to ¾ inch (or larger, if you prefer). Set aside until Step 8.
  2. If using raw sweet potatoes, wash, dry, and peel them. Cut the sweet potatoes into dice of ½ to ¾ inch (or larger, if you prefer). Place the diced sweet potatoes in a microwave-safe bowl with a cover, along with a tablespoon or so of water. Nuke the sweet potatoes until they are cooked (or almost cooked)—5 minutes or longer, depending on the power of your microwave and the amount of sweet potatoes. Remove the sweet potatoes from their bowl and drain them on paper towels (allow them to continue draining until Step 8).
  3. Cut the bacon into pieces of ½ inch or so. Put the bacon pieces in a large, cold frying pan, then place over medium heat. Sauté the bacon until it is brown and crispy (8 to 12 minutes). While the bacon is cooking, move on to Steps 4 through 7.
  4. Peel the onion and cut it into dice of ½ inch or smaller. Set the diced onion aside.
  5. Wash and dry the bell pepper. Remove the stem and the interior seeds. Cut the pepper into dice of ½ inch or so, taking care to remove the white membrane. Set the diced bell pepper aside.
  6. Peel the garlic and mince it finely or cut it into very thin slices. Set the minced garlic aside.
  7. Mince the fresh rosemary and set it aside.
  8. By now, the bacon should be brown and crisp. With a slotted spoon, remove the bacon from the frying pan and drain it on a plate lined with paper towels, leaving the bacon fat in the pan. Add the sweet potatoes (from Step 1 or 2) to the pan. Cook the sweet potatoes until they’re nicely browned on the outside (and thoroughly cooked on the inside, if using raw sweet potatoes that might not have cooked completely in the microwave in Step 2). With a slotted spoon, remove the cooked sweet potatoes from the frying pan and add them to the plate with the bacon.
  9. Add the diced onions and bell pepper to the frying pan (there should still be enough bacon fat in the pan for sautéing them, but if not, add a tablespoon of olive oil). Add Kosher salt to taste (½ teaspoon for us) and sauté the onions and bell pepper until the onions are translucent and beginning to brown—8 minutes or so.
  10. When the onions are just beginning to turn brown, add the garlic to the pan and sauté it for a minute.
  11. Next add the drained bacon bits and sweet potatoes back to the pan, along with the minced fresh rosemary. Stir the mixture together and taste. Add additional salt (if necessary) and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Add the cayenne pepper, if using, and stir the mixture again. Cook the hash over medium-low heat for an additional 5 to 10 minutes.
  12. The hash is now ready to serve. Garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs and/or fried or poached eggs, if desired.
Easy Sweet Potato Hash with Bacon

Notes
  • Sausage (just about any kind) would be a good substitute for bacon in this dish.
  • Don’t substitute dried rosemary for fresh—its flavor is uninspiring. Instead, substitute dried thyme (maybe a teaspoon).
  • You could also use minced fresh parsley instead of fresh rosemary.
  • Hot spices like cayenne pepper are wonderful with sweet potatoes. If you’re worried about too much spiciness, though, start with less than the recipe calls for—you can always add more later.
  • Smoked paprika would also be awesome in this dish.
  • Kosher salt is more coarse than regular table salt, so it’s less salty by volume. If you’re substituting table salt for Kosher, always use less—about half as much. If the dish isn’t salty enough, you can always add more later.
  • Which is a good reminder—always taste as you cook, and adjust seasonings to your taste. Your taste always trumps what the recipe specifies.
  • The structure of this hash is rather loose—it isn’t meant to pack together the way Corned Beef Hash often does. If you want the “packed” effect, cook it longer in Step 11, mashing down the surface of the hash with a spatula to help compact it. Adding some chicken stock (start with half a cup, although you’ll probably need more) in Step 11 also helps bind everything together. 
  • If you want a browned top on this hash, you can run it under the broiler for a minute or two after cooking.
Easy Sweet Potato Hash with Bacon


Hash Puppies

“This is so good, we should create a hashtag for it,” said Mrs. Kitchen Riffs, tucking into her Easy Sweet-Potato Hash with Bacon.

“We ought to hash that idea over,” I said.

“Maybe #hearthash?” said Mrs K R.

“Let’s give it careful thought,” I said. “Lest we make a hash of it.”

“Don’t harsh my hash,” said Mrs K R.

It may take us a while to hash this out.

You may also enjoy reading about:
Roast Sweet Potatoes
Fried Eggs
Poached Eggs
Corned Beef Hash
Roast Squash & Sweet Potato Chili with Kale
Or check out the index for more recipes

106 comments:

wok with ray said...

John, that sweet potato hash looks so good and hearty. It is definitely a dish to look forward to the morning after the big Thanksgiving feast. Looks so delicious. Have a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving Day to you and your loved ones, John. :)

Pat said...

That will make a great breakfast, John, a great way to use up leftovers. Sweet potatoes are so nutritious as well as delicious. Nice post....Dahn does a similar hash with fresh sweet potatoes.

mjskit said...

Can't think of a better used for leftover sweet potatoes than this! This is the perfect day after Thanksgiving brunch. Thanks for the idea John and I hope you and Ms. KR have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day and weekend!

Simones Kitchen said...

O that looks so good John! In fact, as I am writing this it's close to 8 pm and dinner has yet to be made.... Imagine how incredibly appetising this looks right this very minute!

~~louise~~ said...

Confession time, I actually enjoy sweet potatoes so much more as a savory ingredient rather than sweet. They are so versatile and bring so much more to the table. I'm liking this hash John. The thought of smoked paprika and fresh rosemary makes it sound all the more tasty. (Hopefully my Rosemary hasn't been blanketed with snow yet)

Thank you so much for sharing John. While you and Mrs. KR are hashing it out, I do hope you will have a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with all kinds of delicious goodies and memories:) Louise

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Ray, this is such a great dish -- our new favorite breakfast! And dinner. ;-) Thanks for the comment, and I hope you have a great Thanksgiving.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Pat, we love sweet potatoes around here! And use them as often as we can. Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi MJ, isn't this nice? Great way to use leftovers! If we have any. ;-) Thanks for the comment, and Happy Thanksgiving.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Simone, this really is a nice dinner. We have it sometimes for breakfast, but it's so hearty it may make a better dinner. Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Louise, we really like sweet potatoes, and usually in savory dishes. I repotted a rosemary, and it's in our kitchen window, so I'm good with it for a little while, at least. ;-) Thanks for the comment, and I hope your Thanksgiving is wonderful.

~~louise~~ said...

You're so lucky your repotting took, John. Mine is looking a bit weak these days but fingers crossed:) Happy Turkey Day!!!

Shashi at SavorySpin said...

You raise an issue I have often pondered too - how can people be so hungry after a big meal the day before? I don't understand it yet - but I do know this bacon and sweet potato hash with rosemary and egg will leave EVERYONE satisfied - happy Thanksgiving to both of y'all!

Choc Chip Uru @ Go Bake Yourself said...

Sweet potato is underrated around here, it looks like the perfect hash with a delicious colour!
Perfect for breakfast :D

Cheers
Choc Chip Uru

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Louise, they usually don't last throughout the winter, alas. But it helps extend fresh rosemary for a couple of months! :-)

Hotly Spiced said...

Good luck 'hashing' it out. This looks like it's good for not only breakfast but for any time of the day. What a great way to use up leftover roasted sweet potato but I'm imagining any type of leftover potatoes would work well. Happy thanksgiving John to you and Mrs Riffs xx

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Shashi, appetites are one of the mysteries of the universe, aren't they? ;-) Thanks for the comment, and Happy Thanksgiving!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Uru, sweet potatoes are wonderful, aren't they? We eat them often -- so much flavor. Thanks for the comment.

Karen Harris said...

My Google account is acting crazy so I'll comment again just in case you didn't get my first one. I am so glad you posted this the day before Thanksgiving so I can hide some of my sweet potatoes so I can make this the day after. There is nothing better than a bit of hash with a poached egg on top.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Charlie, I'll bet any kind of potato would work. Sweet potatoes, though, are so nice when hashed -- something different. Thanks for the comment and the Thanksgiving greeting!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Karen, both came through, so I deleted one. Anyway, we always make way too may roast sweet potatoes for Thanksgiving. But I did one to post this the day before so people would have ideas of what to do with leftovers! Thanks for the comment.

Lizzy (Good Things) said...

Hi there John... love this dish so much... and I also really like how my friends in the US celebrate sweet potatoes... just fabulous. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

Catherine said...

Looks delicious. This is a beautiful breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving. xo Catherine

Cheri Savory Spoon said...

Hi John, great recipe, love this savory version. Happy Holiday's to you and Mrs Riff!

Ansh said...

I am thinking of staying hungry from this afternoon so I can do justice to all the food tomorrow. But I am already looking forward to leftovers.. is that wrong?
This dish is already calling me for leftovers. Well done guys.

Dottie said...

Hi John,
What a wonderful recipe! I love sweet potatoes! I have had hash before but never with a sweet potato.A perfect way to use up left overs. Usually, we have potatoes of some sort left over and I will have to try this for sure. Looks and sounds delicious. The egg on top is a nice touch. Thanks for sharing. I wish you and Mrs Riffs a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Dottie :)

Everyday Maven said...

Love breakfasts like this, especially with those crispy, brown edges on the potatoes! Happy Thanksgiving to you and Mrs. K.R. :)

vanillasugarblog said...

Happy Thanksgiving dear foodie friend!
Thank you for all your sweet comments, love each one.

Denise Browning@From Brazil To You said...

What a great dish to have for breakfast on Thanksgiving. Sweet potatoes, bacon, and eggs...So good! Happy Thanksgiving, John!

Zoe said...

Happy Thanksgiving to you, John!!! I will celebrate everyday for this kind of breakkie :D

Yeah no dried rosemary... Fresh ones is always good!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Lizzy, sweet potatoes really rock, don't they? ;-) Thanks for the Thanksgiving greetings, and the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Catherine, it's a great dish! We love it. ;-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Cheri, savory + sweet potatoes just work. Thanks for the comment, and Happy Thanksgiving!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Ansh, the leftovers are the best part! Weird, I know, but that's the way it is. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Dottie, hash is wonderful, and sweet potatoes work extremely well in it. Thanks for the comment, and Happy Thanksgiving!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Alyssa, those brown edges are the best! Happy Thanksgiving!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Dawn, such a nice thing to say! I love visiting your blog. ;-) Thanks, and Happy Thanksgiving.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Denise, thanks for the holiday greetings! And the comment. And we'll be looking forward to this dish on the day after. :-)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Zoe, dried rosemary is kind of the pits, isn't it? Fresh is wonderful, though! Thanks for the comment.

Linda said...

It looks delicious! And I love my eggs sunny side up, like in your photo.

GiGi Eats Celebrities said...

This looks absolutely DELICIOUS - beyond belief!!!!

Marcela said...

oh wow! soo good! I'm in NY (finally) so tomorrow's gonna be a big day !
Happy Thanksgiving!

Abbe@This is How I Cook said...

Now I need to go buy more sweet potatoes. frankly I'd be happy with this and could just skip the turkey! Hope you have a happy Thanksgiving, John. You have helped me many times this year with all your kind comments. Here is a virtual hug to you and Mrs KR. ()

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Linda, sunny side up was always my childhood favorite! So pretty, don't you think? Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi GiGi, it is, it is! Beyond belief. ;-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Marcela, congrats on getting to NYC! Does that mean that now your blog will be written in English? :-) Happy Thanksgiving to you, and thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Abbe, I'm a real turkey lover (maybe the only one!), but I'm with you on just having sweet potatoes. I've really grown to love them. Thanks so much for your very kind words -- virtual hug back from both of us to you and the Manservant -- and Happy Thanksgiving!

Maureen | Orgasmic Chef said...

Yes, yes, yes!! I think this hash is brilliant!!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Maureen, it is, it is! No lack of humility on my part. :D Thanks for the comment.

motherrimmy said...

I know one husband would be be very happy with this breakfast showing up the day after Thanksgiving! Have a wonderful holiday. :)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Kristi, you should make him happy. :-) Happy Thanksgiving!

Laura Dembowski said...

I just love sweet potato hash. The idea of using leftover sweets is great, as sometimes raw ones take a long time to cook. Happy Thanksgivng!

Carol at Wild Goose Tea said...

I don't know about having leftover sweet potatoes, they go. But it certainly is easy enough to do from scratch. I love hashes. I love eggs. This would make a wonderful winter time breakfast. No doubt about it.

Beth said...

Gorgeous. I'd eat this any meal of the day. Maybe every meal!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and Mrs. KR.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Laura, if you do the microwave trick, regular potatoes cook pretty quickly too. But we always use leftovers. :-) Thanks for the comment, and Happy Thanksgiving!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Carol, sweet potatoes do go, don't they? They're so good! Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Beth, I could definitely eat this every meal! Thanks for the Thanksgiving greetings, and the comment.

Anonymous said...

such a delightful way with sweet potatoes...potato hash is an all time favorite at home....this recipe sure will bring a delicious twist to the usual...thanks for this scrumptious recipe....and amazing clicks...especially the egg on top makes it perfect,thanks :-)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Kumar, an egg in a picture is always a winner, isn't it? ;-) Thanks for the comment.

Easyfoodsmith said...

I have never tried potato hash in my kitchen. Such a delicious dish. Thanks for sharing :-)

Anonymous said...

Damn delicious!!!
bacon won't ever failed......

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Taruna, hash is good stuff! Definitely worth a try sometime. ;-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Dedy, bacon rules, doesn't it? ;-) Thanks for the comment.

Amy (Savory Moments) said...

"So hash your mouth" haha, perfect! I adore breakfast hashes at anytime of the day and this one looks very tasty!

Judit + Corina @ Glamorous Bite said...

The fried egg is a splendid topping and what a medley of comforting and tasty flavors. Cheers!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Amy, this really is tasty! And easy--my favorite kind of recipe. Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi J+C, fried eggs always looks so great, don't they? Thanks for the comment.

~ Nee ~ said...

Hi John , this one good hash and just right for after Thanksgiving . Pinning , thank John for the good well wishes , but up and running . :) ~Nee~

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Nee, so glad you're conquered the flu! That's awful stuff. Thanks for the comment.

Suzanne Perazzini said...

It's amazing how an egg popped on top of many dishes adds something special. That golden yolk oozing all over the food is irresistible.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Suzanne, eggs look so wonderful, don't they? Great--and tasty!--garnish. ;-) Thanks for the comment.

Carolyn Jung said...

That looks like my new favorite Sunday breakfast! I love a good hash. And one made with sweet potatoes is even more wonderful.

Bam's Kitchen said...

I would be popping right out of bed on the next day if you were serving this for breakfast. This is so hearty it might even get my boys through until lunch, well maybe.....(smiling) I love that whole sweet and savoury thing together. Great post and happy holidays to you. Thank you very much for you kind words on my comments they really mean so much coming from a great photographer like your self. I am working on it slowly and little by little and hope one day I can be as good as you. Please extend my hellos to Mrs. Riff....

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Carolyn, hash is good stuff, isn't it? And a sweet potato has may be the best! Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Bam, I think this might hold your boys until lunch. Maybe. ;-) Thanks for this very kind comment.

Unknown said...

This looks fantastic, John! Now, I'm wishing I had left some of the roasted sweet potatoes aside instead of mashing them all for the casserole. I have a dish full of sweet potato casserole with pecan streusel. May not work here. But, I'm always raising potatoes for diner so this would be great dinner one day, make it vegetarian so my daughter can eat it too. I hope you had a great Thanksgiving, John. Looking forward to your holiday recipes :)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Nazneen, although the bacon adds a lot of flavor to this dish, you could easily leave it out to make a vegetarian dish -- it'd be quite good, IMO. Thanks for the comment.

Helene Dsouza said...

I would liket the sweet potato hash for a late lady sunday brunch. It would make my day!
I wish I had seen it earlier yesterday, I might have planned this in today. =)
Wish you a great weekend John!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Helene, you can look forward to making this next weekend. ;-) Thanks for the comment.

Unknown said...

You had me at "bacon"...oh my!! So delicious.

Gourmet Getaways said...

Mmmm...sounds and looks good! Bacon or sausage or bacon AND sausage, LOL! I'll have poached egg on top for a great meal! Thanks for sharing, John!

Julie & Alesah
Gourmet Getaways xx

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Ashley, bacon always gets us, too. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Julie & Alesah, sausage would be a great addition. With the bacon. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Raymund said...

This would be a good way to start my day, Love to have this for breakfast

Madonna/aka/Ms Lemon of Make Mine Lemon said...

I have made a version of this hash. It is so darn good. It is a perfect brunch food.

Madonna

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Raymund, this makes a terrific breakfast! Ask me how I know. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Madonna, I love sweet potatoes in hash! And you're right it's perfect for brunch. Thanks for the comment.

Sippity Sup said...

Yes yes it is funny how that works. The more I eat the hungrier I am the next day. Good thing there is hash. GREG

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Greg, yup a big meal always means next day hunger. Weird. Thanks for the comment.

Juliana said...

I hope you had a great Thanksgiving John...I love thecae of sweet potato in this hash...I will definitely serve it with the egg...and can imagine how delicious with the egg yolk running through this hash...
Enjoy your week :)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Juliana, isn't an egg yolk a good thing? And it's wonderful with this hash! Thanks for the comment.

Rocquie said...

I am just back in town from my Thanksgiving travels. I am making this for supper tonight--it sounds delicious and I have ingredients on hand. No going back out for groceries. I love the addition of rosemary! Thank you for a great recipe when I really needed it. --Rocquie

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Rocquie, glad to be of service! And I think you'll really like this dish -- tons of flavor, and very satisfying. Thanks for the comment.

Merryn@merrynsmenu said...

What a brilliant hashed meal. This is a delightful dish and a great invention for the "morning after". I can imagine how much fun you and your wife had "hashing" with the wording. A lovely photograph of a very decent dish. Buon appetito :D

Amira said...

You've been tempting us with more savory sweet potato recipes :), but this one will be on my top list. I would go for the dried thyme though. Happy Thanksgiving.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Merryn, we really did have fun with this dish! And writing the post. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Amira, this is outstanding with dried thyme. Rosemary too, but thyme is actually my favorite herb. Thanks for the comment.

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

A fabulous and comforting dish! I love those flavors.

Cheers,

Rosa

yung@foodyoo.com said...

Great site dish for Christmas, of course, I like to serve this with beer. If going to make this my dinner for the weekend, probably I like to add more meat, maybe sausages or meatball. :)

Kitchen Riffs said...

HI Rosa, those flavors really work well together, don't they? Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Yung, this would go great with a beer! And more meat. ;-) Thanks for the comment.

FLAVZCORNER said...

I can gobble sweet potatoes in any form. Sweet Potato hashes sounds yum with Bacon.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Shibi, don't you just love sweet potatoes? And they're wonderful in this hash! Thanks for the comment.

Bill said...

Sweet potato hash is one of my very favorite breakfast foods. An egg is the perfect complement to this has. You version sounds fantastic. Great recipe, John!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Bill, isn't this a wonderful dish? We love it! Thanks for the comment.

Ilke said...

This would be a great quick dinner for me. Now that I am back at school I do not have any energy left for cooking big meals when I get back. Thanks for a great idea.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Ilke, this really is a tasty dish. Perfect when you don't have much time! Thanks for the comment.