Here’s a confession: this Ham and Sweet Potato Hash recipe has quickly become one of our most adored “breakfast-for-dinner” creations. And coming from a household that regularly enjoys morning meals in the evening, we consider ourselves something of connoisseurs in the field! This dish isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience, bringing together comfort and incredible flavor in every bite.

What makes this hash truly special is the harmonious blend of textures and tastes. Imagine tender russet and sweet potatoes, cooked until just right, mingling with savory pieces of ham. Then, a hint of smoky chipotle seasoning introduces a delightful warmth and depth, all crowned with soft-cooked eggs that boast perfectly runny yolks. It’s a combination so good, it’s destined for your repeat recipe list.

Why This Ham and Sweet Potato Hash is a Must-Try

Hash, at its core, is a celebration of humble ingredients transformed into something extraordinary. This particular rendition elevates the classic with thoughtful additions and an ingenious cooking method. Here’s why it deserves a spot in your weekly rotation:

• Unbeatable Flavor Profile: The natural sweetness of sweet potatoes, the earthy notes of russets, the salty savoriness of ham, and the unique smoky heat of chipotle chiles create a complex yet comforting flavor.
• Quick and Easy Preparation: Thanks to a clever microwave trick for the potatoes, this meal comes together surprisingly fast, making it ideal for busy weeknights or relaxed weekend brunches.
• Versatile and Adaptable: Got leftover ham from a holiday dinner? Perfect! Only have deli ham? That works too! This recipe is incredibly forgiving and easy to customize with ingredients you have on hand.
• The Comfort Factor: There’s something inherently comforting about a warm, hearty hash, especially when topped with a soft-cooked egg. It’s soul food at its finest.

This dish isn’t just for breakfast anymore. It seamlessly transitions into a satisfying lunch or an adventurous dinner, proving that breakfast foods are truly a year-round delight.

Key Ingredients and Their Delicious Roles

Each ingredient in this Ham and Sweet Potato Hash plays a crucial part in building its incredible flavor and texture:

• Russet and Sweet Potatoes: The combination of these two potato varieties offers the best of both worlds. Russets provide a fluffy texture and absorb flavors beautifully, while sweet potatoes add a delightful natural sweetness and vibrant color, along with a boost of nutrients. Cutting them into uniform 1/2-inch chunks ensures even cooking.
• Flavorful Ham: Whether you’re using thinly sliced deli ham or repurposing delicious holiday leftovers, the ham brings a wonderful salty, savory depth that perfectly complements the potatoes. Dicing it into small pieces ensures it integrates well throughout the hash.
• Smoky Chipotle Seasoning: This is the secret ingredient that truly elevates the hash. Minced canned chipotle chiles in adobo sauce impart a distinctive smoky, slightly spicy, and deeply savory flavor that is simply irresistible. It adds a gourmet touch without extra effort.
• Soft-Cooked Eggs: The crowning glory of any hash, a perfectly cooked egg with a runny yolk creates a rich sauce that coats every component of the dish, adding a luxurious creaminess and extra protein.
• Onion and Red Bell Pepper: These aromatic vegetables provide foundational flavor and texture. The onion adds a pungent sweetness when softened, and the red bell pepper contributes a crisp-tender bite and a splash of color.
• Heavy Cream: Just a touch of heavy cream at the end adds richness and helps bind the hash together, ensuring a beautifully smooth and comforting consistency.

Mastering the Perfect Ham and Sweet Potato Hash

Achieving a perfectly tender yet slightly crispy hash with ideal eggs is simpler than you might think. Here are some key tips and a detailed breakdown of the process:

The Microwave Potato Trick

One of the brilliant shortcuts in this recipe is pre-cooking the potatoes in the microwave. This significantly reduces the time needed for skillet cooking and ensures the potatoes are tender all the way through before they start to brown. Toss them with a tablespoon of olive oil, salt, and pepper, then cover and microwave for about 6 minutes, stirring halfway. The goal is tender, not mushy, as they’ll finish cooking in the pan.

Building the Flavor Base

While your potatoes are microwaving, you can get a head start on the aromatics. Heat the remaining olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Once shimmering, add the minced onion and diced red bell pepper. Cook them until they’re tender and fragrant, which usually takes about 4-5 minutes. Then, stir in the minced chipotle chiles for just 30 seconds to release their smoky aroma. This step creates a fantastic flavor foundation for your hash.

Achieving that Golden Brown Crisp

Once the drained, pre-cooked potatoes and heavy cream are stirred into the skillet with the vegetables, the key to crispy hash begins. Use the back of your spatula to gently but firmly press the mixture into an even layer across the pan. Resist the urge to stir constantly! Let the potatoes cook undisturbed for about 2 minutes to develop that beautiful golden-brown crust. Then, using your spatula, flip sections of the hash and repack it, allowing the other side to brown. Repeat this flipping and browning process every few minutes for a total of 8-10 minutes, until the potatoes are nicely caramelized.

The Grand Finale: Ham and Eggs

Once the potatoes are perfectly browned, stir in the diced ham. Lightly repack the hash into the skillet one last time. Now, it’s time for the eggs. Create 6 shallow, about 2-inch wide, divots in the surface of the hash using a large spoon. Carefully crack one egg into each indentation. Season the eggs with a pinch of salt and pepper. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the skillet, and let the eggs cook to your desired doneness, typically 5-7 minutes for soft, runny yolks. The steam trapped under the lid helps the whites set while keeping the yolks luscious.

One Year Ago: Baked Pasta with Chicken Sausage
Two Years Ago: Blitz Bread

Ham and Sweet Potato Hash

Yield:

6
Servings

Prep Time:

15
mins

Cook Time:

28
mins

Total Time:

43
mins

4.80 stars (10 ratings)

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Ingredients

• 3 small russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch chunks
• 3 small sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch chunks
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon pepper
• 1 medium onion, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced
• 1 teaspoon minced canned chipotle chiles in adobo sauce
• 3 tablespoons heavy cream
• 10 ounces thinly sliced deli or leftover, cooked ham, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 6 large eggs

Instructions

1. In a medium microwave-safe bowl, combine the russet and sweet potatoes with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, salt, and pepper. Toss gently to ensure all potato chunks are evenly coated. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a microwave-safe lid. Microwave on high for approximately 6 minutes, pausing halfway through to stir the potatoes. This pre-cooking step ensures the potatoes become tender but are not overcooked, as they will continue cooking in the skillet. Once tender, carefully drain any excess liquid and set the potatoes aside.
2. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until the oil is hot and shimmering. Add the minced onion and diced red bell pepper to the skillet. Cook, stirring frequently, until the vegetables have softened and become tender, which should take about 4-5 minutes. Stir in the minced chipotle chiles in adobo sauce and cook for an additional 30 seconds, allowing the smoky aroma to develop.
3. Add the drained, pre-cooked potatoes and the heavy cream to the skillet. Using the back of a spatula or a large spoon, gently press the potato mixture into a somewhat even layer across the bottom of the pan. Allow the potatoes to cook undisturbed for about 2 minutes. This crucial step helps them develop a beautiful, golden-brown crust. After 2 minutes, flip portions of the potato hash mixture and lightly repack them into the skillet to brown on the other side. Continue this flipping and browning process every few minutes for a total of 8-10 minutes, until the potatoes are nicely browned and slightly crispy.
4. Once the potatoes are browned to your liking, stir in the diced ham and lightly repack the hash into the skillet. Using a large spoon, create 6 shallow, approximately 2-inch wide, indentations evenly spaced across the surface of the potato mixture. Carefully crack one large egg into each divot. Season the eggs with a pinch of salt and pepper. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the skillet with a lid, and cook until the eggs are set to your preference. This typically takes about 5-7 minutes for soft, runny yolks, but you can cook longer if you prefer firmer yolks. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

Chipotle Chiles: You can typically find canned chipotle chiles in adobo sauce in the Mexican foods aisle of most grocery stores. If you’re in a pinch or prefer a milder heat without the smoky depth, you could substitute 1 teaspoon of regular chili powder, but note that the distinct smoky flavor of the chiles will be missed.

Author:
Mel

Course:
Breakfast

Cuisine:
American

Method:
Stovetop

Serving:
1
Serving

,

Calories:
396
kcal

,

Carbohydrates:
33
g

,

Protein:
20
g

,

Fat:
20
g

,

Saturated Fat:
7
g

,

Cholesterol:
226
mg

,

Sodium:
881
mg

,

Fiber:
4
g

,

Sugar:
6
g

Recommended Products

Mixing Bowl

12-Inch Nonstick Skillet

Over-the-Sink Colander

Recipe Source: adapted from 30-Minute Suppers