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This ground beef egg scramble is a healthy take on a popular entree in a West Coast Diner. The Diner called it Joe’s Special and it is an easy one-pan breakfast scramble that is full of protein and fiber to keep you filled and satisfied all morning.
What is Joe’s Special?
This recipe is essentially a spinach, beef and egg hash that makes a hearty and filling breakfast. Although it was originally served as a breakfast, this recipe makes a great meal any time of the day.
Joe’s Special is a low carbohydrate, high protein breakfast hash that originated in the 1920’s in San Fransisco. Although the restaurant, New Joes, is no longer around, the popular breakfast hash has not lost its appeal.
As a matter of fact, this ground beef and spinach breakfast scramble might be even more popular with our modern-day low carb diets such as Paleo, Ketogenic, and Atkins lifestyles. If you aren’t worried about keeping it low carb, this breakfast hash is great served with a crusty slice of sourdough bread.
How we make Joe’s Special
We cooked this breakfast scramble in one pan and it could not have been easier.
First, heat some oil in a hot skillet and add a chopped onion. Cook the onion until it is soft then add the garlic. By adding the garlic after the onion is sufficiently cooked, you will eliminate the risk of burning the garlic.
Next throw in the ground beef and seasonings. Stir the beef and break it up while it cooks. If the beef had a lot of fat, you will want to drain off the grease once it is cooked.
After the beef is cooked thoroughly, toss in the fresh spinach and stir just until it is wilted. Push the beef and spinach mixture to the sides of the skillet, making space in the pan to cook the eggs. Pour the eggs directly into the skillet and stir them around until they are set.
Once the eggs are set, fold the egg and beef mixture into the scrambled eggs then serve it while it is still hot. This spinach, beef and egg hash will not disappoint.
Some delicious variations:
- Replace the ground beef with low-fat ground turkey.
- Replace half of the beef with ground sausage.
- Stir in some crumbled bacon bits.
- Melt some cheddar cheese on top.
Some other breakfasts you might enjoy:
- Veggie Quinoa Egg Muffins
- Asparagus-Ham and Gouda Breakfast Strata
- Spinach-Gouda Quiche with Quinoa Crust
- Egg muffin cups
Have you made Joe’s Special or eaten it in a Diner? Have you made a similar spinach, beef, and egg hash? If you did, we would love to see a picture. Tag us on Instagram.
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Joe’s Special Breakfast Hash
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Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 red onion, or yellow onion, peeled and chopped
- 3 cloves garlic , minced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper
- 1 pound fresh spinach, chopped
- 4 eggs, well beaten
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large skillet then cook the onion until it is soft. Add the garlic and heat for 30 more seconds.
- Add the ground beef, salt, and pepper. Stir the meat while it cooks to break it up. Drain off the fat.
- Stir in the spinach and cook just until it wilts.
- Push the spinach and beef mixture to the sides of the skillet to make room to cook the eggs. Add the eggs and nutmeg. Stir and cook until the eggs are set.
Notes
- Try replacing half of the ground beef with ground sausage for a delicious option.
- You can replace the ground beef with ground turkey for a lower fat option.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Like this recipe? Rate & comment below!
This looks delicious but instructions have me confused. You say “Push the egg and beef mixture to the sides of the skillet to make room to cook the eggs. Add the eggs and nutmeg. Stir and cook until the eggs are set.” Is that a typo as I do not see eggs added to the beef and spinach and then more eggs added.
Yes Taylor, that was a typo, thank you for pointing that out. It is the spinach/beef that needs to be pushed aside. I will correct it. Thank you for the comment.
Thank you for reply. Having suffered a series of small strokes, I find I need to have a very clear understanding of directions, instructions, etc. This looks so good and easy enough for me to manage so am buying necessary ingredients today and plan to enjoy for dinner. I love your site.
This is a wonderful dish. My mom usually makes this but I had no idea what was it called. I super do feel special when I get to have this. Brings a lot of good memories.
Such a terrific dish! I’ve had this in restaurants, and made it at home, but it’s been ages since I’ve eaten this. Such a good dish, too. Probably too much for me for breakfast these days, but lunch or dinner? Perfect! Thanks so much. 🙂
John, it’s so fun to hear from people that have had this before. It is definitely a filling dish and would make a great dinner, thanks for the comment.
This is great keto breakfast option. Just pinned it. Some great recipes on your site.
Thanks Anna, it is a great keto meal and it is super filling. Thanks for pinning.