30 Best Ground Beef Recipes | The Modern Proper (2024)

We’ve rounded up 30 of the best ground beef recipes that we, and the internet, have to offer! So if you’re wondering “what should I make with ground beef?” you, friend, have come to the right place!

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30 Best Ground Beef Recipes | The Modern Proper (1)

Got Beef? We’ve Got a Recipe for you!

Ground beef is quite possibly the ultimate all-American go-to ingredient. It keeps pretty well in the freezer, too, so you can even stock up when it’s on sale and know that you’ve got a freezer-full of easy ground beef dinners at your fingertips. Speaking of easy ground beef recipes—we’ve rounded up 30 of the very best that we, and the internet, have to offer! So if you’re staring at your fridge wondering “what should I make with ground beef?” you, friend, have come to the right place.

30 Best Ground Beef Recipes | The Modern Proper (2)
30 Best Ground Beef Recipes | The Modern Proper (3)

Easy Ground Beef Recipes with Few Ingredients

  • Thai Basil Beef (cover photo). A speedy, savory Thai beef basil stir fry that’s just a bit spicy and really hits the spot.

  • Gingery Ground Beef (Soboro Donburi). Five ingredients, a few minutes and a hot skillet, and you’ll be digging into a delicious soboro donburi, a gingery ground beef that reminds us that the best Japanese recipes are often the simplest.

  • Crock-Pot Taco Meat. Just three-ingredients and the use of our trusty slow-cooker make this Crock-Pot beef taco meat recipe an easy win.

  • Baked Mostaccioli. Filled with meat, a rich red sauce, and covered in shredded mozz. Need we say more?

Ground Beef Burger and Sandwich Recipes

  • Classic Cheeseburger with Secret Sauce. A perfectly soft bun, quality, juicy ground beef that is seasoned well, plenty of cheese, caramelized onions and a really good secret sauce are the key to this truly classic cheeseburger recipe.
  • Patty Melt. As diner sandwiches go, the melty, meaty, oniony perfection that is the patty melt reigns supreme—if you know, you know. And if you don’t know, well, welcome to the club.
  • Meatball Sub Sandwich. Big juicy, tender meatballs simmered in marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade—either works!) stuffed into garlicky hoagie rolls, topped with mozzarella and broiled to melty, bubbly perfection.
  • Beef Sliders. These juicy ground beef sliders—slathered with a homemade bright and lemony sun-dried tomato mayo, spicy pickles, and fresh arugula—prove that bigger doesn’t always equal better.
  • Avocado Burger with Bacon. When the craving strikes for a juicy burger, you’ll want to make this avocado burger with bacon and jalapeño aioli. Get out the napkins, cuz you’re gonna need them!
30 Best Ground Beef Recipes | The Modern Proper (6)
30 Best Ground Beef Recipes | The Modern Proper (7)

Meatballs: Quite Possibly Ground Beef’s Highest Calling

  • Swedish Meatballs. These Swedish meatballs are the best you'll ever have. Gently warmed with spices and covered in a heavenly creamy gravy sauce, then served with fluffy mashed potatoes!
  • Mediterranean Meatballs with Tzatziki. These tender spiced beef meatballs are served with our favorite simple tzatziki sauce.
  • Sheet Pan Harissa Meatballs and Cabbage. Smoky, warm, fragrant Middle Eastern spices imbue this simple sheet-pan cabbage-and-meatball dinner with big, bold flavors.
  • Meatball Shakshuka. Ground beef is mixed with the same herbs and spices used in the classic North African shakshuka and then simmered in a smoky, tomato-y shakshuka sauce for a one-pan dinner that everyone will love.
30 Best Ground Beef Recipes | The Modern Proper (8)
30 Best Ground Beef Recipes | The Modern Proper (9)

Easy, Hearty Ground Beef Chilis & Soups

  • Taco Soup. Like making ground beef tacos for dinner, but easier.
  • Award Winning Chili. Ground beef, pork, three kinds of beans and spices to spare conspire to make this hearty, stick-to-your-ribs chili your family’s new game day go-to.
  • Lasagna Soup. Loaded with sausage and beef, plenty of herbs and garlic, and topped with a lava flow of mozzarella cheese, lasagna soup is easier to make than its oven-baked counterpart, and just as delicious.
  • Crock-Pot Paleo Chili. Hearty, protein-packed, and not a bean in sight—this meaty Paleo chili is a fast fave.
  • Stuffed Pepper Soup. Loaded with ground beef, bell peppers, tomatoes and topped with cheese, this is a hearty, easy riff on one of our favorite dinners.
  • Taco Salad. Seasoned beef with toppings piled high—beans, corn, cheese, avocado and chips. Finish it off with taco salad dressing and DIG IN!
30 Best Ground Beef Recipes | The Modern Proper (10)
30 Best Ground Beef Recipes | The Modern Proper (11)

Cozy, Comforting, Classic Ground Beef Pasta Recipes

  • Easy Bolognese. Hearty and comforting, this meaty, easy ground beef bolognese recipe takes less time to make than it does to disappear into hungry tummies.
  • Spaghetti Sauce. Just wait until you try this deeply flavored, slow-cooked, meat-loaded homemade spaghetti sauce recipe—you'll be head-over-heels.
  • Porcupine Meatballs. These beef meatballs look like little porcupines because of the way the grains of rice stick out of them.
  • Classic Lasagna Recipe. Easy, meaty, cheesy, this classic lasagna recipe is what everyone’s dinnertime dreams are made of.
  • Salisbury steak. Think perfectly browned ground beef patties, seasoned with abandon and served with onion-and-mushroom gravy.
  • Crispy Ground Beef Taco. Ground beef tacos are easy for each person at the table to customize to their own tastes and so they’re always, always a crowd-favorite.
30 Best Ground Beef Recipes | The Modern Proper (12)
30 Best Ground Beef Recipes | The Modern Proper (13)

Ground Beef Recipes From Around the Globe

  • Beef Empanadas. Tender, flaky crust surrounding a hearty mixture of warmly-spiced ground beef and vegetables—here's how to make the best beef empanadas you’ve ever tasted.
  • Gyro Meat. Hey guess what! Making juicy, super-seasoned gyro meat at home is easier than you think! Then, you can use that yummy beefy gyro meat to make DIY Gyro Bowls.
  • Beef Kofta Kebabs with Tzatziki. Big, bold herbs and spices make these beef kofta kebabs with tzatziki perfect for a super satisfying centerpiece for a Mediterranean-inspired feast.
  • Shepherd’s Pie. This traditional English dish is a must-make comfort food.
  • Picadillo. Our picadillo recipe makes for a homey weeknight dinner that everyone will gobble up!Chimichurri Meatballs
  • Chimichurri Meatballs. Want a delicious, quick dinner? Pair these meatballs with a big salad, or serve them as a fun, dippable party appetizer—either way, they’re sure to be a hit!
30 Best Ground Beef Recipes | The Modern Proper (14)
30 Best Ground Beef Recipes | The Modern Proper (15)

Even More Ground Beef Recipe To Fall In Love With

  • Enchilada Casserole. Layers of corn tortilla, cheese, and a tasty bean and beef filling.

  • Cabbage Rolls. Stuffed with pork sausage and ground beef, then wrapped in cabbage leaves and baked to perfection.

  • Mini Meatloaf. Mini meatloaf, you offer so many solutions in one little loaf.

  • Italian Wedding Soup. Tender, juicy meatballs, rich flavorful broth, al-dente pasta, and greens make for a meal the entire family will enjoy.

  • Sloppy Joes. These saucy, beefy homemade sloppy Joes are the best kind of messy comfort food!

30 Best Ground Beef Recipes | The Modern Proper (16)30 Best Ground Beef Recipes | The Modern Proper (17)30 Best Ground Beef Recipes | The Modern Proper (18)30 Best Ground Beef Recipes | The Modern Proper (19)30 Best Ground Beef Recipes | The Modern Proper (20)30 Best Ground Beef Recipes | The Modern Proper (21)

30 Best Ground Beef Recipes | The Modern Proper (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to best ground beef? ›

The trick to cooking ground beef well is to not move it around a lot until it's finished cooking and nicely browned. This helps create a crust on the meat which is delicious.

What can I add to ground beef to make it taste better? ›

11 Seasonings That Work Well With Ground Beef
  1. Always include salt and pepper. ...
  2. Add a bit of smoked paprika. ...
  3. Choose from different types of onion powder. ...
  4. Give it a noticeable garlic flavor. ...
  5. Complete with Italian herbs. ...
  6. Consider a curry blend. ...
  7. Spice it up with cayenne pepper. ...
  8. Mustard powder adds a unique tang.
Jan 21, 2023

What is the 70 30 meat ratio? ›

Also called a "lean point", the percentage compares the ratio of lean meat to fat content. If you see the lean point listed as 70/30, this means the ground beef is 70% lean with 30% fat.

What is the healthiest hamburger meat to eat? ›

If you choose beef, choose 90 percent lean or higher. Bison and venison are also leaner red meat choices. Poultry such as ground turkey or chicken can be higher in saturated fat and calories if dark meat and skin are used in the mix. If you choose to use ground chicken or turkey, look for breast only.

What does adding vinegar to ground beef do? ›

Vinegar can tenderize meat by breaking down its connective tissues and proteins, making it more tender and easier to chew. Additionally, vinegar can add flavor to the meat, especially when used as part of a marinade or sauce.

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.

What should I season ground beef with? ›

ingredients
  1. 2 tablespoons oregano.
  2. 1 tablespoon chili powder.
  3. 1 teaspoon cumin.
  4. 1 teaspoon garlic powder.
  5. 2 teaspoons onion powder.
  6. 12 teaspoon salt.
  7. 1 lb ground beef.
  8. 12 cup water.

What brings out the Flavour of beef? ›

Because of beef's hearty, robust nature, flavor-forward spices like garlic and onion or herbs like rosemary and oregano are the best choices for an unforgettable beef dinner. An important thing to consider when selecting seasonings for your meal is that you should be seasoning beef based on the cut.

What does 80 20 mean in ground beef? ›

You'll usually see some numbers on a package of ground meat at the grocery store, like 80/20 or 90/10. Those numbers refer to the ratio of lean meat to fat. So when you see 80/20, that means it's 80 percent lean meat and 20 percent fat.

What to use 73 ground beef for? ›

Ground Beef that is not less than 70% lean (usually a 73/27 or 75/25 lean-to-fat ratio) is used for burgers and in recipes calling for browning (crumbles) and pouring off drippings, such as chili, tacos and spaghetti sauce. When properly cooked, it is moist and juicy.

What is the perfect ground beef ratio? ›

And on this, experts concur — the most popular and flavorful ratio of lean to fat comes in at 80/20. Paul Vaccari, owner of New York City's Piccinini Brothers, which sells to restaurants as well as individuals, says his most popular mixture for hamburgers is an 80/20 ground chuck.

What is the number 1 healthiest fast food restaurant? ›

Coming in on top as the healthiest fast food restaurant was Little Caesars.
  • Little Caesars.
  • Starbucks.
  • Dairy Queen.
  • McDonald's.
  • Subway.
  • Taco Bell.
  • Arby's.
  • Dunkin' Donuts.
Mar 9, 2021

Is it OK to eat a burger once a week? ›

Long story short: It's probably not a good idea to eat fast food every day. But if you eat it once a week—or better yet, twice a month! —you're probably fine. Just make sure the rest of your diet is healthy and balanced.

What's healthier Wendy's or McDonalds? ›

Our analyses of the data did not support our expected hypothesis. This means that now McDonalds and Wendy's are equally unhealthy in terms of caloric content.

What can I add to ground beef to keep it moist? ›

Baking soda acts as a tenderizer for ground beef, keeps it moist during cooking, and encourages deep browning by raising the acidity level of the surface of the meat.

What makes the best tasting beef? ›

However, there are a few popular beef varieties known for their exceptional flavor and tenderness:
  • Kobe Beef: Hailing from Japan, Kobe beef is renowned for its marbling, tenderness, and rich flavor. ...
  • Angus Beef: Angus beef is widely recognized for its superior marbling, tenderness, and rich, beefy flavor.
Jul 13, 2023

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

Toss the meat with the baking soda in a large bowl and set aside for 15 minutes. Lightly oil a large cast iron or stainless steel pan and get it hot—you want the oil to shimmer, but not smoke. Season the meat with salt and press it into the pan in an even layer with your spatula. Then leave it alone.

How to cook ground beef perfectly? ›

4 Steps to Better Browned Meat
  1. Heat the pan (and oil). In order to brown, rather than steam, the pan needs to be hot. ...
  2. Add the meat to the pan and break it into large pieces. ...
  3. Break the beef into smaller pieces as it cooks. ...
  4. Cook until browned (and try not to stir).
Aug 29, 2023

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