Hamburger hash brings together chopped potatoes, veggies, and ground beef in a one-skillet wonder that your family will love. The simplicity of this hamburger hash recipe makes it perfect for a busy weeknight supper. It’s also an excellent way to use leftovers!
Hash comes from the French word ‘hacher’ or ‘to chop.’ Everything about ground beef hash has a roughly chopped, rustic feel to it. This recipe has a nice cheesy topping, but if you like a super cheesy hamburger hash, feel free to experiment with some in the filling or add different blends of cheeses. I don’t think you can ever go wrong with cheese!
One awesome feature of hash is that you can’t do it wrong. Hash is great for leftovers since there are no rules as to what goes in it! Add some veggies like cabbage, green pepper, or corn, and just like that, you’ve created hamburger hash supreme.
A traditional ground beef hash recipe calls for chopped potatoes, but rice can be substituted for potatoes to make hamburger hash with rice. The rice brings a different texture but is just as delicious and filling as the original. Hamburger hash with gravy adds a delicious sauce to the ensemble that just begs to be mopped up with a crust of bread.
Try my hamburger potato casserole, sausage potato casserole, and scalloped potatoes and ham next!
What I Love Most About This Recipe
- All-in-one skillet preparation
- The super flexible recipe that you can’t mess up
- Easy down-home comfort food!
What is Hamburger Hash?
Hamburger Hash is a main dish that incorporates ground beef and chopped potatoes in a single skillet meal. It’s quick and easy to pull together and is perfectly spiced to please even the most delicate pallets.
Hamburger Hash Ingredients
- Potatoes: I like russets in this recipe. They’re nice and creamy. You can use Yukon Gold or Red potatoes if you’d like.
- Vegetable Oil: Any neutral vegetable oil will work.
- Onion: I like to use yellow onion.
- Bell Pepper: You can use any color you like. I like red bell peppers because they’re the sweetest.
- Garlic: Once sautéd it will be nice and mellow.
- Ground Meat: I like this best with 80/20 ground beef. The extra fat adds a nice flavor to the potatoes. You can use leaner beef or ground turkey or chicken if you prefer.
- Chili Powder: I use a mild. chili powder like McCormick to keep the taste kid friendly.
- Cheese: I use either sharp cheddar or Pepper Jack.
Storing + Freezing + Make-Ahead
- How Long Can You Store in the Fridge? Store in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
- Can You Freeze Hamburger Hash? Freezing Hamburger Hash is another great way to make the dish ahead of time or save the leftovers. To make ahead: make the dish in its entirety and allow it to cool. Transfer it to a casserole dish and cover it with cling wrap, followed by a layer of foil. Remove the cling wrap to reheat. Bake covered with foil until heated through. Your potatoes might not be as crisp with this method.
- Can You Make Hamburger Hash Ahead Of Time? Yes. You’ve got a couple of options. If you’re preparing a few days ahead just, it’s best to chop everything, except the potatoes, and store them in individual containers in the fridge. Cook and season the hamburger and store it as well. When you’re ready for it, chop and cook the potatoes as instructed, and then add everything else as usual. Since the meat is cooked, it just needs to be warmed through. You’ll be able to whip this up in no time!
- You can also cook everything in the skillet as instructed, but I suggest holding off on the cheese. You can reheat it just before serving and then top it with the cheese. Your potatoes might not be as crisp with this method.
- Food Safety: If you’d like more info on food safety check out this link.
What Do You Serve With Hamburger Hash?
Hamburger Hash is a pretty complete meal all on its own, but a nice green vegetable as a side compliments it well! Roasted broccoli, Arkansas green beans, or sautéed asparagus are all great options. Bisquick biscuits or homemade crescent rolls round this out to a dang near-perfect meal!
How To Make Hamburger Hash
Here’s how to prepare the potatoes…
Step By Step Overview: How To Prepare the Potatoes
1. Peel and cube potatoes.
2. Place it in a bowl of cold water. Swish the potatoes around to remove starch.
3. Drain and rinse it in a colander.
4. Spread the potatoes on paper towels. Pat dry.
And how to cook it…
Step By Step Overview: How To Cook Hamburger Hash
5. Add oil to skillet over medium-high heat. Add the potatoes and cook, stir until potatoes are fork tender. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Set aside. (Just look at those golden cubes!)
6. Add the onions, bell pepper, and garlic on the skillet. Cover then stir until golden brown.
7. Add beef, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Cook until brown. Drain excess fat.
8. Mix potatoes back in then sprinkle cheese on top. Place skillet in the preheated broiler until cheese is melted. Serve.
More Ground Beef Favorites
Hamburger Hash
Ingredients
- 2 medium Russet potatoes,
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 cup yellow onion, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 ounces ground beef, 80-20%
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
- salt
- black pepper
Garnish
- 1-2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the broiler to high.
- Peel the potatoes (2) and cut them into small cubes. Place cubed potatoes in a bowl of cold water, swishing them around to remove starch. Drain in a colander and rinse. Spread potatoes out on paper towels and pat dry.
- Add oil (3 tablespoons) to a cast iron skillet and heat over medium-high heat. Add the potatoes and cook, stirring as needed, until the potatoes are fork-tender and browned on most sides.
- Sprinkle potatoes with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
- Stir in the onions (1 cup), red bell pepper (1), and garlic (2-3 cloves) into the skillet. Cook over medium heat, stirring until golden brown.
- Stir in the beef (8 ounces), chili powder (1/2 teaspoon), and 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and cook, breaking up any clump, until brown, about 5 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
- Add the potatoes back to the skillet and mix in. Sprinkle cheese (1 1/2 cups) evenly over the top of the skillet.
- Place skillet under the preheated broiler until cheese is melted, about 1 minute. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve.
Fans Also Made:
Nutrition
Source: Trisha Yearwood
I’m sure this is a 5 star recipe since I love all the ingredients. I wondered if you’ve ever tried freezing for make ahead?
Thank you!
Hey, Pamela! Yes. To make ahead: make the dish in its entirety and allow it to cool. Transfer it to a casserole dish and cover it with cling wrap, followed by a layer of foil. Remove the cling wrap to reheat. Bake covered with foil until heated through. Your potatoes might not be as crisp with this method.
Can you make it without the cheese?
Hi Kym. Sure, you can leave out the cheese.
Very good. I used a mix of regular and sweet potatoes and I made gravy because everything is better with gravy!
Sounds delish, Heidi!
Very, very good!!
Thank you so much, Julie!
We make this as described with one alteration before cheese goes on we crack a few eggs over it let them cook stirring a couple of times then we put the cheese on and cover until the cheese melts it to die for
That’s awesome, Randy! We gotta try that too. Thank you for sharing!
Tasty, filling, delicious & fast! Most definitely comfort food.
I couldn’t agree more, Toni. Glad to hear you like it! 😀
oh my gosh Yum can’t wait to try it
I’m making this for 4 people can I use a pound of ground meat??? How do I increase everything else?
Hi Tracey! ? Just look for the word “servings” in the recipe card and hover over the number beside it. Then slide the bar to adjust the serving size. Hope this helps! Happy cooking!
What is the green leafy stuff you’re putting in the hash in all the pictures it is not listed on any of the lrecipes? I’m assuming it’s cilantro. It would be very nice to know thank you I love this recipe it’s a go to on a busy night for us
Hi Tara. It’s fresh parsley <3
Hash is my favorite breakfast food to order at restaurants. Looking forward to making it at home.
I made this for my 17 year old son and myself. It was really delicious.
Aside from being a great recipe, I’m also happy to have learned the secret to browning potatoes.
Wow! Thank you Karla! So happy to hear you and your son love it! ? Enjoy cooking!
Making it tonight!
Hi Gerald!
Hope you enjoy!