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Budget-Friendly Beef Hash Recipe

Beef hash has got to be one of our favorite meals because it’s so delicious and super easy to make. Plus, you can make it with leftovers, so nothing goes to waste!

This can also be a corned beef hash recipe. I cook corned beef once a year, and I get one that’s big enough for leftovers later. Then I make corned beef hash.

Beef hash on a plate with green beans

There are only a couple of differences between corned beef and any other type of beef, one of them being that you’ll use corned beef, either freshly cooked or leftovers. I have the other difference below, under other types of hash.

Comforting Beef Hash

After you try this, it might become one of your “comfort food” dinners. At least, it has for us. Here is the recipe that is also in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this page.

Ingredients

You don’t need many ingredients for this delectable dish. If you have some sort of oil or fat, leftover beef, an onion, and a couple of potatoes, you can make it. However, it also helps to have some seasonings to keep it from tasting bland.

Here’s the list of ingredients you’ll need:

  • 1 cup cooked beef cut into bite-size pieces
  • 2 cups diced potatoes
  • 1 cup diced onions
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

When I’m in the mood for extra spicy, I add ground cayenne. Other ingredients you can add are garlic, basil, rosemary, and thyme. You can also add diced bell peppers if you like. And if you want to add color to the plate, dice red, yellow, and green peppers. It looks very festive and makes the meal even more special.

How to Make Beef Hash

I always start out with a big skillet, since I like to have leftovers from my leftovers. My husband and I can get two meals each out of this one. I heat up the skillet with enough butter to cover the bottom of it. You can also spray it with nonstick spray, but we like the flavor of butter.

Melt butter in a large skillet.

While the butter melts, dice the potatoes. The smaller they are the faster they cook. You can peel the potatoes if you want, but I leave the skins on. First of all, it’s easier. And secondly, I think it adds nutrition and flavor.

Diced potatoes

Next, I sauté the onions until they are translucent. This only takes a few minutes. Sautéed onions add a tremendous amount of flavor to the dish.

Saute onions.

After the onions are ready, add the diced potatoes and cook them until they are tender but still firm. Finally, add the beef to the skillet. This is the time to season it according to your family’s taste.

Beef, onions, and potatoes in a skillet

The finished dish is warm, filling, and delicious. Serve it with your favorite vegetable or salad to make a balanced meal.

Family Dinner with Leftover Beef

It’s the perfect dish to serve when you have leftover roast beef or steak. Actually, almost any type of beef is good in this dish. In addition to being economical it is delicious and comforting. I hate wasting food. I learned how to be frugal from watching my southern mama. After all, she could squeeze a quarter so tight you could hear the eagle scream.

And since I grew up with her thrifty ways, I’ve carried on the family tradition. Leftovers are valuable around our house, and I almost always put them to good use. In fact, I can often make several extra meals out of leftovers. That said, this beef hash is one of our favorite dinners. My husband quickly came to realize that when we had roast one night, we’d soon have roast beef hash.

When our daughters were younger, they looked forward to having beef hash of any type. In fact, our older daughter chose this for her birthday dinner one year over going out. She said it was her absolute favorite meal. So of course, I obliged her. I didn’t even rely on leftovers for her birthday dinner. Since this was what she wanted, I purchased some of the best steaks I could find.

But to be honest, I couldn’t tell the difference. It was delicious but not really any better than the beef hash I made from leftovers. Even though it’s easy to prepare and economical, beef hash ranks close to the top of our comfort foods list. Others we enjoy are this delicious shepherd’s pie and this other easy-to-make dish, a chicken and rice casserole.

Steak Hash for When You Don’t Have Leftovers

For those times when we want beef hash but don’t have leftovers, I purchase a couple of small steaks. Using a very sharp knife, I cut the meat into cubes. Since it’s not precooked, I add it to the onion and potato mixture before the potatoes are done. Cubed meat doesn’t take long to cook.

Other Types of Hash

As I mentioned above, you can also use corned beef. You’ve heard of corned beef hash, right? Follow the same recipe, with one small difference. Since the meat is already so heavily seasoned, cut way back on the salt.

Pork hash and chicken hash are also really good. Cook them the same way as you would beef hash. However, you might try using sweet potatoes for a different taste sensation and a boost of extra nutrients. Don’t be afraid to experiment. You might discover that you have a knack for creating your own delicious recipes.

Beef hash with steak, onions, and potatoes in a skillet and on a plate with green beans

More Dishes from Leftovers

We love getting rotisserie chickens from Costco. For one thing, they’re humongous at three-plus pounds each. Secondly, they’re very inexpensive. But most of all, they are perfectly seasoned, and we think they’re delicious. If I don’t have time to go to Costco, I’ll get one at Publix, Harris Teeter, or any of the other grocery stores in the area. They’re all good. There are several things I enjoy making from leftover rotisserie chickens.

The Crockpot chicken stew is ideal for days when I’m busy, so I let the slow cooker do all the work.

When we’re in the mood for spicy, I prepare the chicken creole with rice. There’s often enough left for chicken salad sandwiches on another day.

Comfort Food Recipes

Since this beef hash is such a popular comfort food, I decided to share more of my favorites. Here are a few of them:

Pork Sausage and Rice Skillet Dinner – This one-pan meal is easy to make, delicious, and budget-friendly! What else can you ask for? Oh, I just thought of something. It’s super easy to clean up afterward since you’re only using one pan.

pan and plate of pork sausage and rice skillet dinner

Easy Beef and Cabbage Soup – You’ll love the flavors that come together in the most delightful way. Another thing you’ll appreciate is the fact that it’s a delicious low-calorie meal. So eat as much as you want and feel good about doing it.

bowl of beef and cabbage soup

Ham and Potato Casserole – This easy recipe has the same amount of comforting flavor and deliciousness as the beef hash. It’s definitely one of our favorites.

Classic Baked Mac and Cheese Casserole – Whether you’re looking for a side dish or something to stand alone for a comforting meal, this classic baked mac and cheese casserole will satisfy your hunger in the most delicious way.

mac and cheese casserole

Beef Hash Your Way

After you try my recipe, feel free to change things up to suit your family’s taste. If like a hint of sweetness, add a tablespoon of honey or sugar. For a spicy meal, add sriracha or cayenne. Or completely change the flavor by adding barbecue sauce. It’s all good!

Yield: 4 servings

Beef Hash

Beef hash on a plate with green beans

This beef hash is the perfect dish to make with leftover steak or roast beef.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 cup of cooked beef cut into bite-size pieces
  • 2 cups of diced potatoes
  • 1 cup of diced onions
  • 1/4 cup of butter
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  2. Saute the onions until they are translucent.
  3. Add the diced potatoes and cook until they are tender.
  4. Add the beef and stir.
  5. Season with salt and pepper.
  6. Allow the hash to cook until the bottom browns. Turn it to brown it on the other side.
  7. Serve hot.

Notes

Experiment with different seasonings, including cayenne pepper, garlic, thyme, rosemary, or any of your favorites.

Nutrition Information

Yield

4

Serving Size

1

Amount Per Serving Calories 369Total Fat 23gSaturated Fat 12gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 9gCholesterol 80mgSodium 211mgCarbohydrates 23gFiber 3gSugar 4gProtein 18g

The nutrition information is a product of online calculators. I try to provide true and accurate information, but these numbers are estimates.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

Please feel free to share!

Marcinda Tischer

Monday 2nd of October 2023

Made this for our dinner tonight with leftover rib eye steak and it was excellent! I added some garlic powder. Thank you for such a simple but great recipe!

southernhomeexpress

Monday 2nd of October 2023

Hi Marcinda! Thank you for the nice comment. I'm so glad you enjoyed this recipe. Adding garlic powder is smart, and it makes the recipe your own!

Sharyn

Wednesday 22nd of February 2023

The best recipe I have ever made for beef hash. Excellant. Thank you!

southernhomeexpress

Wednesday 22nd of February 2023

Hi Sharyn. I'm so glad you enjoyed it! It's one of our favorite meals too!

eBeth

Thursday 27th of October 2022

I will sometimes make a roast just so I can then make roast beef hash! Was always a favorite growing up, and still is! And a great way to use leftovers. I made some swiss steak a few days ago, and I am now going to make some hash with that.

southernhomeexpress

Saturday 29th of October 2022

I do the same thing!

Nancy

Thursday 20th of January 2022

Made the hash tonight for dinner and it was yummy! Thanks for sharing!

southernhomeexpress

Friday 21st of January 2022

Hi Nancy! I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Beef hash is one of our favorite dinners, so I always make sure I have leftovers after a steak or roast beef dinner.

Sandy

Friday 19th of February 2021

My mom made this but hers was in a big pot with liquid easier to sop it up with butter bread. Loved it. I have left over roast beef. Thanks

southernhomeexpress

Friday 19th of February 2021

Hi Sandy. That sounds good! I think all you'd need to do is add a little beef broth to get it like your mom made it. Thanks for the tip!

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