Are you tired of the same old dinner routine? Do you find yourself falling into the trap of making the same meals over and over again because of busy schedules and lack of energy? If so, you're not alone! Many people struggle to come up with original and healthy dinner ideas, especially on busy weeknights. This article provides a variety of flavorful and nutritious meat-based recipes that are quick, easy, and sure to please the whole family.
Ground Beef Recipes
Ground beef is a versatile and budget-friendly ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes. Lean ground beef is a healthy, low-cost, and high-quality protein food that is an excellent source of iron and zinc.
Korean Ground Beef
This flavorful Korean ground beef is ready in just 20 minutes. It's incredibly easy to make and can be served in a variety of ways.
Ingredients:
- Lean ground beef (85% lean and 15% fat)
- Garlic and ginger (freshly minced or grated)
- Soy sauce
- Honey
- Cornstarch
- Red pepper flakes
- Sesame oil
- Green onions
Instructions:
- Prepare the sauce by whisking together soy sauce, honey, cornstarch, and red pepper flakes in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef and cook, stirring, until no longer pink, breaking it into crumbles as you cook, about 5 minutes.
- Drain the beef and return it to the skillet. Add the garlic and ginger and cook, stirring, for 1 minute.
- Stir the sauce into the beef. Cook for 2 more minutes, until heated through and the sauce thickens.
- Off heat, drizzle the dish with sesame oil, sprinkle it with sliced green onions, and serve.
Tips:
- Use lean ground beef (85% lean and 15% fat) for the best flavor and texture.
- Toasted sesame oil is a must for enhancing the dish's flavor.
- Serve over cauliflower rice, rice, or in a trendy bowl with a fried egg and kimchi.
Ground Beef Stir Fry
This easy Ground Beef Stir Fry recipe is a quick, flavorful, and well-balanced dish that comes together in just one skillet.
Ingredients:
- Lean ground beef (90-93% lean)
- Coconut aminos
- Fresh ginger
- Toasted sesame oil
- Garlic
- Honey
- Chili garlic sauce
- Vegetables (green beans, broccoli florets, sugar snap peas, water chestnuts)
Instructions:
- Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the skillet is hot, spray with cooking spray and add 1 teaspoon of sesame oil.
- Return the skillet to medium-high heat. Spray with cooking spray then add the ground beef.
- Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
- Return the skillet with the cooked beef to the stove. Add the remaining 1 teaspoon sesame oil, the coconut aminos, honey, ginger, and chili garlic sauce.
- Remove from the heat and sprinkle with sesame seeds, if using.
Tips:
- Prepare all ingredients before starting to stir-fry.
- Cook over high heat to achieve a quick sear and maintain the crisp texture of the ingredients.
- Cook the vegetables and protein separately, then combine after each is fully cooked.
- Thicken the sauce by whisking 1-2 teaspoons of cornstarch with equal parts water and stirring it into the sauce.
Other Ground Beef Recipes
- Taco Bowls: A fun way to switch up Taco Tuesday.
- Burger Bowls: Enjoy everything you love about a classic burger meal without the bun.
- Pumpkin Chili: A twist on classic chili recipes with canned pumpkin for sweetness and fiber.
- Lasagna Soup: A warm and cozy soup with big lasagna flavors.
- Cheeseburger Soup: The rich flavor of a cheeseburger with the comfort of soup.
- Taco Soup: A veggie-loaded, wholesome soup with endless topping possibilities.
- Sweet Potato Chili: A flavorful chili with high-quality protein and vitamin-loaded sweet potatoes.
- Tater Tot Casserole: An upgrade with simple, real foods and lots of veggies.
- Taco Rice Casserole: Delicious and budget-friendly with lean ground beef, veggies, rice, taco seasonings, and black beans.
- Classic Italian Meal: A simple and classic Italian meal that’s easy to prep ahead of time.
- Philly Cheesesteak Skillet: The rich, savory flavor of Philly cheesesteak sandwiches in a low-carb skillet.
- Zucchini Lasagna: A noodle-free, healthy lasagna with zucchini.
- Beef Stroganoff: A budget-friendly and quick twist on a comfort food classic with ground beef instead of tenderloin or ribeye.
- Beef Skillet Enchiladas: The savory, cheesy flavor of enchiladas in half the time.
- Zucchini Skillet: A quick and easy Mexican-inspired meal with zucchini.
- One-Pot Skillet Lasagna: Jumbled-up layers of lean ground beef, lasagna noodles, vegetables, and cheese.
- Homemade Stir-Fry: A quick homemade and budget-friendly solution to Chinese takeout cravings.
- Sloppy Joes: A fun twist on a childhood favorite with lean ground beef, bell pepper, and onion.
- Baked Tacos: Sheet pan baked tacos served alongside a topping bar.
- Stuffed Peppers: Southwest-style filling for a gluten-free and veg-filled meal.
- Stuffed Zucchini: A perfect way to use up zucchini and sneak more nutrients into meals.
- Meatloaf Muffins: Adorable meatloaf muffins infused with barbecue sauce.
- Italian Meatballs: Savory, cheesy meatballs with bold, herbaceous flavors.
- Easy Meatballs: A quick, one-pan meal with tender, savory meatballs and dairy-free tomato sauce.
- Teriyaki Meatballs: Flavorful homemade teriyaki meatballs with a sweet-salty glaze.
- Healthy Ground Beef Recipe: A simple recipe for using up any veggies and herbs.
- Shepherd’s Pie: A hearty, healthy twist on traditional shepherd’s pie with ground beef, veggies, dried herbs, and mashed sweet potatoes.
- Pizza Burger: A kid-friendly grilled pizza burger.
Other Meat Recipes
Creamy Tuscan Chicken
This dish shouts comfort food and is impressive enough to serve to dinner guests.
Read also: Healthy food access with Highmark Wholecare explained.
Peach Balsamic Grilled Chicken
Grilling fruit will bring out its juicy sweetness. The marinade is simple and tangy with a little sweetness to it.
Air Fryer Pork Chops
Cooking pork chops in an air fryer ensures they are juicy and flavorful.
Bánh Mì Kebabs
A classic bánh mì taste in kebab form with par-cooked carrots and slightly sweet daikon.
Santa Fe Chicken Foil Packets
A complete meal with chili-spiced rice, black beans, corn, peppers, and salsa- and cheese-topped chicken.
One-Pan Chicken And Quinoa
A quick and easy dinner that’s high in protein with Tex-Mex spices.
Read also: Healthy Eating on the Run
Garlic Rosemary Pork Chops
This oven-baked method will ensure your pork has a delicious crust and a perfectly cooked interior.
Reuben Bowls
A deconstructed Reuben sandwich in a bowl with green cabbage and shredded carrot.
Cowboy Steak With Grilled Red Onion Salad
A hearty, flavorful cut of beef with rich, deeply beefy flavors.
Honey-Glazed Pork Chops With Mango Salsa
A sweet and savory combination with juicy pork chops and refreshing mango salsa.
Garlic Butter Meatballs
Low-carb, gluten-free, and veggie-packed meatballs with garlic butter sauce.
Read also: Mobile Dining Revolution
Brick Chicken
Served with a spicy, herby pan sauce made with jalapeño, lime, and cilantro.
Quick & Easy Recipes
- Thai Chicken Salad: A delicious, healthy salad that’s virtually impossible to stop eating.
- Turkey Taco Stuffed Sweet Potatoes: A fantastic option when you need a quick dinner recipe.
- Pesto Turkey Tortellini Soup: A healthy soup recipe that makes cooking easy.
- Roasted Salmon with Avocado Salsa: Fantastic for entertaining or an easy weeknight meal.
- Shrimp and Vegetable Stir Fry: Can be whipped up in minutes and served over rice.
- Easy Baked Herb Lemon Pork Chops: Will become a regular on your family’s menu.
Vegetarian Options
If you're looking to incorporate more meatless meals into your diet, here are a few delicious vegetarian options:
- Vegetarian Spaghetti Squash Skillet: Filled with mushrooms, chickpeas, and marinara sauce.
- Pasta e Fagioli: Italian pasta and bean soup that's comforting and healthy.
- Italian Split Pea Stew with Cauliflower: Packed with vegetables, protein, and fiber.
- Vegetarian Enchilada Stuffed Spaghetti Squash: A must-try recipe!
Tips for Healthy Dinner Planning
- Plan ahead: Take some time each week to plan your meals and create a shopping list.
- Keep it simple: Choose recipes with few ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions.
- Use shortcuts: Utilize pre-cut vegetables, pre-cooked meats, and other convenient ingredients to save time.
- Cook once, eat twice: Make a large batch of a recipe and enjoy leftovers for lunch or another dinner.
- Get the family involved: Encourage family members to help with meal planning and preparation.
Choosing and Storing Ground Beef
- How long is ground beef good in the fridge? Raw, uncooked ground beef can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days before cooking. The same goes for pre-cooked and crumbled ground beef that is cooled and then stored in the fridge - you can safely store it there for up to 3 days. If frozen (whether raw or pre-cooked), ground beef will keep at good quality in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- How do I know my beef is “healthy?” Typically, “healthy” beef refers to leaner cuts with no more than 5-10% fat content. We also love to reap the benefits of grass-fed beef - it tends to be lower in sodium and fat but higher in a few key vitamins than grain-fed varieties. Depending on your preferences, you may want to buy ground beef that’s certified organic or labeled hormone- and antibiotic-free. A local meat locker could be a good option to supply high-quality beef from your area. As another option, you could source high-quality beef from a delivery service.
- What is the best way to defrost ground beef? I prefer to thaw ground beef overnight by placing it in the refrigerator 12-24 hours before using it in a recipe. This thawing method provides the most ideal results when it comes to flavor. However, if you’re in more of a hurry or simply want to know your options, any of these methods will work: Thaw overnight: Place the frozen ground beef package on a plate (to catch any thawing liquid) and place it in the refrigerator to thaw for 12 to 24 hours. Defrost in 1 hour: Fill a bowl with cold water and submerge the frozen package of ground beef. Refill the bowl with cold water every 20-30 minutes. The beef should be thawed in about 1 hour and cooked right away. Thaw in 5 minutes: Remove the frozen ground beef from the packaging and place it on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave it at 50% power for 2-3 minutes, rotating and flipping the ground beef every 30 seconds. You can then use the ground beef right away.