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The high-protein sweet potato bowl taking over social media (and how to make it)

How to make the viral hot honey sweet potato bowl

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Happy bearded man is using his smartphone while he preparing a meal
My Ocean studio / Adobe Stock

Cottage cheese had its moment on social media recently, and health & fitness junkies have creatively find new ways to use it as a source of protein. From cottage cheese wraps to baked cottage cheese chips, cottage cheese is undeniably a versatile, low-fat, high-protein staple. If you thought the cottage cheese trend was over, think again.

The viral sweet potato bowl recipe has found a new way to incorporate cottage cheese into a dinner meal, complete with sweet potatoes, lean ground beef, and hot honey. I agree that sweet potato and cottage cheese sound like a questionable ingredient combination. But social media is hooked on this sweet potato bowl craze, which made me believe it likely tastes better than it sounds (it turns out, it does).

How to make the sweet potato bowl everyone’s talking about

@maryswholelife

VIRAL GROUND BEEF SWEET POTATO COTTAGE CHEESE BOWL- what a mouthful 😂 I eat some version of this bowl most days – it’s delicious, has amazing macros (509 calories, 43 carbs, 21g fat, 40g protein), and keeps me feeling full and satisfied! . Makes 4 servings: 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and diced Avocado oil spray 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp paprika 1/2 tsp garlic powder 1 lb grassfed ground beef 3/4 tsp salt 1 tsp paprika 1 tsp chili powder 1 tsp garlic powder 1 tsp onion powder Avocado 1 container @good_culture cottage cheese Crushed red pepper Hot honey (I like @mikeshothoney) . Add sweet potatoes to your air fryer and spray with oil. Sprinkle with seasonings and toss to coat. Air fry for 18 minutes, shaking halfway. You can also bake them at 400 for 25-30 mins tossing halfway! . Sauté the ground beef and seasonings for 5-7 mins until cooked through. . Add 1 cup sweet potatoes, 4 oz ground beef, 1/3 avocado and 1/2 cup cottage cheese to your bowl. Sprinkle with crushed red pepper and drizzle with hot honey. Enjoy! . #viral #viraltrends #groundbeefsweetpotatobowl #cottagecheese #cottagecheesebowl #protein #macrofriendly #healthyfood #easymeals #glutenfree

♬ original sound – Mary Smith

A quick search on social media for the viral cottage cheese sweet potato bowl will lead you down a rabbit hole of dozens of variations. Ultimately, how to make the bowl is up to your personal taste and dietary preferences. Most bowls have slight variations, but include the same basics: lean ground beef, taco seasoning, sweet potatoes, avocados, hot honey, and of course, cottage cheese. Additional seasonings, vegetables, and other additions allow you to customize your bowl (and have fun making it).

Ingredients

  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 2 cups cottage cheese
  • 1 to 2 sliced avocados
  • 1 lb lean ground beef (you could also try it with ground turkey or ground chicken)
  • 1 packet of taco seasoning
  • 2 sweet potatoes (peeled and cubed or diced)
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 to 1 cup cilantro (fresh, chopped)
  • Hot honey

Method

  1. Prepare, cut, and roast sweet potatoes (I like using the air fryer)
  2. Heat 1 Tbsp of olive oil over medium heat in a pan. Add ground beef and taco seasoning. Cook thoroughly.
  3. Once the beef is done cooking, begin assembling your bowl. Add 1/4 of the meat, 1/4 of the sweet potatoes, 1/2 cup of cottage cheese, and 1/2 an avocado to each bowl. Add cilantro as desired and drizzle hot honey over the top.
  4. Optional: Squeeze fresh lime juice or add jalapeno slices, if desired.

A go-to dinner option

@thehealthylittlefoodie_

the viral hot honey ground beef bowls are absolutely worth the hype and weirdly addicting !!!🔥🥑🍠🥩🍯 packed with protein and nutrient dense…this is a trend you need to jump on for a healthy dinner idea🍽️ makes 2 bowls: • 1 lb. grassfed ground beef • 1 container cottage cheese • 2 sweet potatoes, cubed and seasoned with @Lawry’s Seasoning and 2 tbsp. avocado oil • 1/4 chopped yellow onion • 1 packet Siete taco seasoning • 1 avocado • drizzle of hot honey • red pepper flakes #viralrecipes #highprotein #groundbeefbowl #easydinner #easydinnerideas #foodisfuel #nutrientdense #healthyrecipes #wholefoods #healthydinner

♬ original sound – officialmooli

Creative and health-focused minds have developed many trending high-protein dinner recipes that can make it easy to enjoy dinner and stay on track with your diet. Yet, the flavorful and somewhat questionable flavor combinations in the sweet potato bowl pair well together for a healthy and hearty dinner you’ll look forward to. The hot honey drizzle atop this bowl adds a slight heat and sweetness. There’s also something to be said for enjoying all of these flavors mixed into one big bowl (it gives me chipotle bowl vibes).

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Also, the nutritional content of this dinner bowl is nice and well-balanced, with a great serving of lean protein, vegetables, and healthy fats from the avocado. To me, the sweet potato bowl stands out as a healthy staple that fitness enthusiasts following any diet can find a way to adapt to their needs. Whether you’re on a low-carb, a paleo diet, or generally want a well-rounded meal, this all-around healthy bowl fits a wide range of nutritional needs.


Emily Caldwell
Emily Caldwell
Contributor
Emily is a Features Writer at The Manual, where she specializes in food, beverage, and travel content. She focuses on weaving… Read Full Bio
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