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Easy Steak and Sweet Potato Skillet

A simple one-skillet meal of seared steak, caramelized onions, bell pepper and cubed sweet potatoes finished with a pat of butter — ready in about 35 minutes.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time35 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients

Steak

  • 1 1/4 lb flank or skirt steak, trimmed
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika adds a warm, smoky note

Vegetables

  • 1 1/2 lb sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
  • 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 small red bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

Pantry & Finishing

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp unsalted butter

Instructions

Preparation Steps

  • Place the cubed sweet potatoes in a microwave-safe bowl with 2 tablespoons of water. Cover and microwave on high for 4 minutes to slightly soften; drain and set aside. This speeds the skillet browning later.
  • Pat the steak dry with paper towels. Sprinkle both sides evenly with the kosher salt, black pepper and smoked paprika. Let sit at room temperature for about 10–15 minutes while you prep the vegetables.
  • Heat a large heavy skillet (cast iron works best) over medium-high until hot. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and swirl to coat. Sear the steak 3–4 minutes per side for medium-rare (longer if you prefer well done). Transfer steak to a cutting board and tent loosely with foil; rest 6 minutes.
  • Reduce heat to medium and add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and the butter to the now-empty skillet. Add the sliced onion and bell pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and starting to brown, about 6 minutes.
  • Stir in the minced garlic and cooked sweet potato cubes. Press the potatoes down into the pan and let them brown undisturbed for 2–3 minutes, then toss and repeat so they pick up a deep, caramelized color — about 8–10 minutes total. If the pan gets too dry, splash 1–2 tablespoons water to loosen browned bits.
  • Slice the rested steak thinly against the grain. Return the slices to the skillet and gently toss everything together just to warm the steak through, 1–2 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning with a pinch more salt or pepper if needed.
  • Finish the skillet with a final small pat of butter if desired and serve hot straight from the pan.

Notes

Make ahead: par-cook the sweet potato cubes and store covered in the fridge for up to 24 hours to speed dinnertime. Leftovers reheat well in a skillet to keep the potatoes crisp.
This recipe is an original creation inspired by classic Easy Steak and Sweet Potato Skillet flavors. All ingredient ratios and instructions are independently developed.