64 Awesome REAL Food Ground Beef Recipes - (2024)

Main Course

Top cuts of pastured beef are pretty pricey and not something everyone can afford all the time. Please do not let this deter you away from buying organic and/or beyond organic (no certifications) and pastured meats! If you haven’t heard already, contrary to what mainstream media and diet dictrocrats tell us, red meat is almost as nutrient-dense as you can get.

I try and get nutrient-dense meats into our meal plans often… especially for Andrew because his growing brain and body needs all those readily available nutrients and vitamins found in pastured beef. Ideally in a perfect world, we’d include more organ meats in our diet as those are as nutrient-dense as you can get, but honestly I haven’t ventured into that realm yet. I’ve made beef heart a few times but that’s about it (recipes will come soon, for sure!).

Ok, so back to pastured meat being pricey… The best solution is to either buy roasts that will make 1-3 meals or buy ground beef. Ground beef is relatively cheap compared to what other cuts costs so it’s a smart, economic choice. However tacos will not suffice 2-3 times a week before your family starts giving you that look. You know, the one where they are all thinking “Again?

I searched the web to bring you some innovative, real food ground beef recipes from some of my favorite bloggers. Eating real food does not have to be expensive when you have the right resources to keep costs down. Consider this post as one of those resources. 🙂

Breakfast & Frittatas

Meatloafs

Meatballs

Curry & Soup

Chili and Stews

Burgers

Lasagna & Pastas

Casseroles & Shepard’s Pie

Ethnic

Taco Salads

Other Fantastic Ground Beef Recipes That I’m Not Sure How to Categorize!

64 Awesome REAL Food Ground Beef Recipes - (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to best ground beef? ›

For More Tender Ground Meat, Grind It After Cooking Too

And it's easy enough to get: Just cook your meat with seasonings as you usually would, then cool the mixture and transfer it to a food processor. Pulse it together to your desired consistency and you'll have a much more tender and hom*ogenous filling.

How long can ground beef stay in the fridge? ›

A package of ground beef can stay in the fridge for up to two days from the date of purchase, as recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. By day two, it's best to either cook the ground beef or freeze it. Freezing ground beef is a great long-term solution, as it can last in the freezer for months.

What is the healthiest ground beef? ›

If you want to create a healthy menu and limit the saturated fat in your dishes, then ground sirloin is the best choice. For the best results, use this beef in dishes that have added liquid, like chili or meat sauce. The low fat content causes ground sirloin to dry out quickly.

What does adding vinegar to ground beef do? ›

Culinary professionals know that a small amount of vinegar makes food taste bright and fresh. Too much, however, may make the food unpleasantly sour. First and foremost, vinegar is used as a tenderizer for meat and poultry. It may be added as an injected marinade in very tough proteins or applied via a soak or rub.

What do you add to ground beef to make it brown better? ›

4 Steps to Better Browned Meat

Adding oil is optional but recommended for better browning. Add the meat to the pan and break it into large pieces. Use a wooden spoon, fish spatula, or other sturdy spatula to break the meat up into large pieces in the pan. Let it brown for several minutes.

What does adding milk to ground beef do? ›

The calcium-rich properties of milk react with enzymes in the meat to gently soften the proteins. Whole milk (not reduced fat), buttermilk, and yogurt all get the job done – with a special nod to buttermilk and yogurt for their optimal tenderizing acidity levels.

How do Mexican restaurants get their ground beef so fine? ›

Put the ground chuck in a large pot or Dutch oven and add seasonings. Add just enough water to cover the meat, bring to a boil, then reduce and simmer for about an hour. Every 15 minutes or so break up the meat with a large spoon or a potato masher so that it isn't lumpy.

Is 2 year old frozen ground beef still good? ›

Ground beef can be frozen indefinitely, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. However, it is recommended to use ground beef within four months of freezing, as the quality of the meat will begin to deteriorate over time. Ground beef that has been frozen for too long may not be as flavorful.

Can I eat cooked ground beef after 7 days in the fridge? ›

USDA recommends using cooked beef within 3 to 4 days, kept refrigerated (40°F or less). Refrigeration slows but does not stop bacterial growth. USDA recommends using cooked leftovers within 3 to 4 days.

Why is my ground beef turning brown in the fridge? ›

This darkening is due to oxidation, the chemical changes in myoglobin due to the oxygen content. This is a normal change during refrigerator storage. Beef that has turned brown during extended storage may be spoiled, have an off-odor, and be tacky to the touch and should not be used.

Is it okay to eat ground beef every day? ›

Also, if you want to enjoy red meat, official guidelines recommend a "relatively lower consumption" of red and processed meats. While there is no specific number dedicated to red meat, the overall recommendation for animal protein sources (meats, poultry and eggs) for a 2,000-calorie diet is 26 ounces per week.

What ground meat is best for weight loss? ›

If you want to feel more satisfied after meals or are trying to lose weight, lean ground turkey or lean ground beef works well. If you're eating for a healthy heart, lean ground turkey—which is lower in saturated fat—is the better pick for you.

Can I eat chicken every day? ›

The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) Healthy U.S.-Style Eating Pattern recommends the average person eat 26 ounces of poultry (including chicken) per week. Per day, this would be roughly the same as eating 3.5 ounces of chicken breast.

What makes the best tasting beef? ›

Lastly, the top steak cuts usually come from the loin since it tends to be so tender and flavorful. These usually consists of the T-Bone, Porterhouse, Rib Eye, Filet Mignon, and so on. Yes, these tend to be on the higher end of the price spectrum, but they are totally worth it.

What makes beef taste better? ›

Diet is one of the most influential factors that impacts beef flavor and aroma. This is because the dietary nutrients cattle consume directly impact the fatty acid profile and nutrient profile of their fat. One of the most-common mantras in the meat industry is that fat is flavor.

References

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