Need to get a healthy dinner on the table quickly? We’ve done all of the work for you with this round-up of healthy ground beef recipes. Pick the one that catches your eye, get to cooking, and have dinner for the family ready in no time!

Table of Contents

Ground beef is one of the most common proteins used to create quick, easy dinners. It browns in a matter of minutes, is batch-cook friendly, and takes on the flavor profile of whatever recipe you’re using it in.

A large, yellow, enameled cast iron pot filled with Mexican picadillo. Next to the pot: cilantro, a kitchen towel, a wooden serving spoon, a small bowl of white onions, a small bowl of tomatoes, a plate of charred tortillas.
A plate of Moroccan-inspired meatballs on a bed of greek yogurt and garnished with parsley, lemon, and sauce on a white and black marble surface. There are basil leaves, pita breads, a linen, and another plate of meatballs on the table.
221130_Sloppy Joe Casserole-40
221102_Cheesy Gordita Crunch-17

Oftentimes, ground beef gets a bad rap in the health department when in reality, it is chock full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, not to mention protein and some good healthy fat. When we think about whether or not ground beef is actually healthy, we have to consider the quality of the beef itself. When you’re choosing to eat grass-fed beef, you’re avoiding trace hormones, antibiotics, and pesticides, and you’re gaining a ton of nutrients: a good profile of saturated fats, omega-3 fatty acids, and a much higher amount of vitamins and minerals than available in conventional meat.

So, what’s the healthiest beef? We say looking for grass-fed beef makes a bigger impact on health than focusing on the fat content. Pick the fat content that works best for your taste preference, and buy grass-fed as often as you can!

Want to learn more? Check out our article on why we prefer grass-fed ground beef to conventional.

  • The grocery store – super convenient and accessible, but will cost you the most if you’re truly purchasing grass-fed. Ask the butcher lots of questions so you aren’t tricked into buying meat that isn’t actually grass-fed.
  • Your local rancher – such a great option that can save you dollars in the long run, but often isn’t a practical solution if you aren’t buying in bulk, or if you’re living in the middle of a metropolis.
  • ButcherBox – consistent delivery of grass-fed, pastured, humanely-raised meat that ensures you’re getting the highest quality for a great price (less than $6 per meal).
A person's hands using a metal potato masher to cook and crumble ground beef in an enameled cast iron pot.

How to Cook Ground Beef

It’s so simple! All you need is a stovetop, pan, and a spatula! Put the ground beef in a pan over medium heat, and use a spatula to break the meat apart as it browns. Continue cooking for 8-10 minutes or until no pink remains.

How important is a meat thermometer when cooking ground beef?

While we think meat thermometers are GREAT for a lot of things, ground beef just isn’t one of them. You’ll want to cook your ground beef until no pink remains, and if you do this, no meat thermometer is necessary!

How can I tell if the ground beef I want to cook with has gone bad?

Generally, raw ground beef is bright red on the outside and may have some brown on the inside. If the outside of your ground beef is totally brown (or even grey), or if your ground beef has a funky smell (trust me, you’ll know it when you smell it!), it’s probably best to toss it.

Can I batch-cook, and then freeze ground beef for later?

Absolutely! This is a fantastic idea that makes getting a healthy meal on the table in record time. Brown the meat, drain any excess fat, wait for it to cool completely, and then portion it into Ziplock bags to stack in the freezer. We recommend a pound per bag, so that you can pull out exactly what you need when you need it! Your ground beef will keep for 4 months in the freezer.

Now let’s get to the good stuff: our FAVORITE ground beef recipes! From casseroles to burgers, and flavors from around the globe, we’ve got your dinner covered!

Healthy Ground Beef Recipes

Top down view of cottage pie in a round, white casserole dish with a spoon resting under a scoop and a bowl of cottage pie in the top right corner.Cottage Pie with Beefa baking dish of 4 tex mex stuffed peppers garnished with sour cream, avocado, and cilantroTex Mex Stuffed Peppersa small white pot of taco soup garnished with lime wedges, shredded cheese, cilantro, and tortilla chipsTaco Soup Recipeketo philly cheesesteak skillet - ground beef, peppers, and onions covered with provolone cheese and garnished with parsley on a marble boardPhilly Cheesesteak SkilletVeggie-Lover's MeatzaVeggie-Lover’s Meatzapaleo frito piePaleo Frito PieTwo assembled burrito bowls with rice, beans, peppers, onions, corn, ground beef, lettuce, guacamole, and cheese. Also pictured: a bowl of peppers, onions, and corn.Ground Beef Burrito Bowl with Cilantro Lime Ricemeal prep bbq bacon burger loaded potatoes on a plate topped with jalapenosMeal Prep BBQ Bacon Burger Loaded PotatoesBBQ Ranch Meatloaf-Stuffed TomatoesBacon Bean Beef ChiliEasy Homemade Beef Chilihomemade hamburger helper in two white ramekins next to a skillet filled with hamburger helper all sitting on a marble surfaceHomemade Hamburger Helpertaco salad on a marble surface next to a wooden cutting board topped with chopped cilantro, a halved avocado, sliced red onion, and diced tomatoesBeef Taco Salad

Burger, Meatball, and Meatloaf Recipes

the top view of a bowl of pesto noodles topped with pesto meatballs sitting on a marble surfacePesto Meatballsa serving of greek meatballs, arugula salad, and white quinoa served with 2 lemon wedgesGreek-Inspired Meatballs with Quinoa and Arugula Salada beef burger on a bun topped with lettuce, tomato, red onion, and chipotle mayoThe Best Grilled Hamburgers Recipemini meatloaf topped with bacon on parchment paper beside roasted friesMini Meatloaves with Balsamic Glaze3 flavors of baked meatballs on a sheet panMeal Prep Burger Bites 3 WaysSpaghetti Squash Meatball Boats Fed and Fit-3Spaghetti Squash Meatball Boatsgreek meatballs with tzatzikiGreek-Inspired Meatballs with Tzatzikifrench onion skillet meatballs in a cast iron panFrench Onion Skillet MeatballsA plate of Moroccan-inspired meatballs on a bed of greek yogurt and garnished with parsley, lemon, and sauce on a white and black marble surface. There are basil leaves, pita breads, a linen, and another plate of meatballs on the table.Moroccan-Inspired Meatballsbeef sliders on top of lettuce, red onion, and tomato slices with chipotle lime mayo drizzled on topBeef Sliders with Chipotle Lime Mayo

Ground Beef Casserole Recipes

Sloppy Joe Casserolecottage pie with cauliflower mash in a red cast iron pot on a white background with a red and white striped towel lying next to itCottage Pie with Roasted Garlic Cauliflower Mashbeef taco casseroleBeef Taco CasseroleMexican Cottage PieMexican Cottage Pie3 layer (hash browns, ground beef, and cheese) cheeseburger casserole that is hot out of the oven and garnished with tomatoes, bacon, avocado, lettuce, and jalapenoCheeseburger CasseroleMeal Prep Shepherd's PieMeal Prep Shepherd’s Piepaleo beef chili casserolePaleo Beef Chili Casserole

We hope these recipes help inspire you with new ways to use ground beef in your everyday cooking!

About the Author

Cassy Joy Garcia, NC

Cassy Joy Garcia, a New York Times best-selling author, of Cook Once Dinner Fix, Cook Once Eat All Week, and Fed and Fit as well as the creative force behind the popular food blog Fed & Fit.

Read More About Me

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