22 Healthy Ground Beef Recipes (2024)

Welcome to our list of 22 Healthy Ground Beef Recipes! Here, you’ll find a variety of flavor yet nutrient rich dishes like ground beef and broccoli, bacon cheeseburger salad, and Mexican ground beef zucchini skillets. Best of all they’re all quick and easy.

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Let’s dive in!

(By the way, if you like this list, you’ll love these ground beef pasta recipes.)

Mexican Zucchini Skillet

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Healthy, easy, and delicious, all in the same pan? Yep, that’s what you’ll get with this hearty ground beef one-pan meal from Heather ofZucchini Zone. It’s energizing with squash, tomatoes, onions, chiles, and b6-rich ground beef. Plus, it’s ready in less than 30 minutes, including chopping your vegetables and browning the meat. We tried it, and it is perfect for weeknights!

Visit Zucchini Zone for the recipe.

Beef Cabbage Soup

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In the heart of winter, it doesn’t get more comforting than chunky soups like this beef cabbage soup from Meryl of Sungrown Kitchen. Let’s see. It’s substantial with carrots, celery, onions, potatoes, onions, beans, and tomatoes. Oh, and then there’s the aromatics, garlic, parsley, and onions for a big flavor. You’re going to feel so good after a big bowl!

Visit Sungrown Kitchen for the recipe.

Keto Ground Beef Casserole with Cabbage

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If you’re counting carbs for weight loss and health goals, this keto beef and cabbage casserole from Angela ofMarathons & Motivationis on your weekly menu. It’s mostly comprised of cabbage, mozzarella, tomato sauce, and of course, ground beef. But there’s also a bunch of flavor with the ground sage, dried dill, and thyme. You’ll have it ready for the oven in 20 minutes; from there, it takes just 35 minutes to bake.

Visit Marathons & Motivation for the recipe.

Ground Beef & Broccoli

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Stephanie,The Cozy Cook, is all about easy and inexpensive meals the whole family will love. So, this Chinese restaurant-inspired ground beef and broccoli with red bell pepper, onions, and sauce certainly fit that theme. Let’s talk more about that sauce for a moment, shall we? It’s a tempting concoction of beef broth, ground ginger, brown sugar, garlic, soy sauce, and other ingredients.

Visit The Cozy Cook for the recipe.

Ground Beef Vegetable Soup

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This ground beef vegetable soup from Anya ofPrepare & Nourishis perfect for cool weather and low-carb dieting. But don’t worry. It’s not just a tasty and nutrient-dense offering. Instead, it’s a satiating soup with ground beef, green beans, bell peppers, carrots, and spinach. So, after a big ole bowl of this stuff, you’ll feel full, energized, and ready to tackle the next item on your to-do list.

Visit Prepare & Nourish for the recipe.

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Bacon Cheeseburger Salad

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If you define healthy as reducing simple carbs, then this bacon cheeseburger salad from Nicole ofFresh Apronhas your name written all over it. There’s no bun, so this burger is low, low-carb. Instead, you’ll find browned ground beef well seasoned with paprika, garlic, and onion powders. And to round out this cheeseburger representation, there’s also cheese, pickles, lettuce, and bacon.

Visit Fresh Apron for the recipe.

Ground Beef And Tomato Soup

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When youSlow The Cook Down, you’ll find plenty of easy, healthful weeknight-appropriate meals with no stress, like this ground beef and tomato soup. Betty says it’s a “…healthy way to tuck into some comfort food…” But tomato and ground beef is just the tip of the iceberg. So, you’ll find onion, bell peppers, carrots, and an army of flavor from Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, and garlic.

Visit Slow The Cook Down for the recipe.

Hummus And Beef

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This hummus with beef recipe fromThe Salt And Sweetis a versatile Lebanese dish. So, have it as a snack, side, or even a meal. And when it comes to the flavor, it’s a humdinger! You season the beef with cinnamon, onions, and black pepper. At the same time, the hummus mixes chickpeas, lemon juice, tahini paste, and garlic. Oh my!

Visit The Salt And Sweet for the recipe.

Easy Slow Cooker Chili

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If you’re looking for the highest return of flavor for your time commitment, it doesn’t get much better than this easy chili recipe fromBarley & Sage. It’s so darn hearty. What with four kinds of beans, bell peppers, corn, and that’s not all! But best yet, after 20 minutes of prep, you throw everything in the slow cooker. Then, when you return home, the intoxicating aroma will welcome you at the door.

Visit Barley & Sage for the recipe.

Meatloaf Muffins

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One of the best things about these little meatloaf mounds from Shelly ofTwo Healthy Kitchensis that they are great for making ahead. Plus, with a few simple swaps and alterations, Shelley made this meatloaf healthier than the meal prep company she once worked for. For example, she uses much leaner ground beef (even leaner than ground turkey), and her recommended portions are much more, well, reasonable.

Visit Two Healthy Kitchens for the recipe.

Low-Carb Keto Lasagna

Cutting back on excessive carbs is easier than ever, thanks to carb replacements like Crepini Egg Thins. That’s what Angela ofThe Short Order Cookuses in place of traditional noodles for this keto-friendly lasagna. But, of course, it’s still all the same great taste you love, like parmesan, ricotta, mozzarella, and tomato sauce. It’s just lightened up a bit.

Visit The Short Order Cook for the recipe.

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Mexican Picadillo With Potatoes

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This Mexican picadillo fromMaricruz Avalosis a rich and flavorful stew that’s the utmost in comfort food. And even including the salt and pepper, it’s but a 10-ingredient recipe including garlic, cumin, and onion. So you know it’s brimming with flavor! You’ll take just 10 minutes to prep everything before cooking for 30 minutes. Then, serve it over rice and with corn tortillas. It’ll disappear.

Visit Maricruz Avalos for the recipe.

Ground Beef And Gravy Recipe

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Gavin makesRecipes For Men, like this simple ground beef and gravy. So, you’ve got the ground beef, but there are also carrots, onions, and peas. That gravy is so savory with Worcestershire, hp sauce (the Uk’s equivalent of A1 sauce) for starters. Serve it with mashed potatoes, and you have a dinner worth repeating.

Visit Recipes For Men for the recipe.

Baked Stuffed Bell Peppers

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This recipe from Nataliia of Sava’s Kitchen has you stuff bell peppers with rice, ground beef, and carrots. But not before they get a seasoning upgrade with parsley, thyme, paprika, and onions. It’s a delightful meal filled with nutrient-dense ingredients and Ukrainian inspiration.

Visit Sava’s Kitchen for the recipe.

Lebanese Hushweh Rice (Spiced Rice with Meat and Pine Nuts)

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Not only is this Lebanese spiced rice and ground beef dish from Samantha ofLittle Ferraro Kitchena delicious explosion of flavor, but it’s also beautiful. Its presence will captivate your senses.

The cinnamon, garlic, cumin, allspice, and nutmeg will fill the air with an exciting scent, while the orange and green color from the toasted pine nuts and fresh herbs is visually appealing. Yes, this traditional Lebanese meal may be exotic to you, but it’s not hard, as it takes less than an hour to make.

Visit Little Ferraro Kitchen for the recipe.

Linguine Bolognese

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Gen ofTwo Cloves Kitchenknew it was a good idea to make a healthier version of bolognese. We certainly endorse the proposition! While the original is delicious, this one is tasty, too, and contains ahealthydose of zucchini, carrots, and green bell peppers. And unlike the classic Italian meat sauce, which takes hours, this one is ready in just 35 minutes, making it perfect for weeknights.

Visit Two Cloves Kitchen for the recipe.

Italian Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

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Tender, moist, and flavorful, these breadcrumb-less Italian meatballs fromMy Chef’s Apronshould become a regular part of your weekly menu. So naturally, Mariska informs you of the proper ground beef to use (this is very important). But you’ll also learn why she uses a whole egg instead of just the egg yolk and how to make her irresistible (yet healthier) tomato sauce.

Visit My Chef’s Apron for the recipe.

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Whole30 Stuffed Acorn Squash

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If you take nothing else from this stuffed acorn recipe from Mariah ofFresh Water Peaches,take this; always use high-quality ground beef. But there’s so much more! This wholesome meal has the flavors of fall and winter. Apple, celery, and fresh herbs are reminiscent of Thanksgiving, but unlike Turkey day, you won’t have to spend all day making it. After 15 minutes of prep, it takes just 50 minutes to bake.

Visit Fresh Water Peaches for the recipe.

Ground Beef And Sweet Potato Skillet

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The aroma of this Southwestern ground beef and sweet potato skillet will have the whole familyRunning To The Kitchen. But you’ll find discover more than beef and sweet potatoes. It’s a nutrient-rich one-pan meal with lots of onions, tomatoes, bell peppers, cheese, and even avocado. Wow! If that’s not a 30-minute meal, you can be proud to serve your family. What is?

Visit Running To The Kitchen for the recipe.

Easy Burrito Recipe

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With appropriate portions, this easy burrito recipe from Jen ofSims Kitchencan be a healthy and delicious part of your diet. It’s a complete and convenient meal that’ll keep you full, like ground beef, tortillas, and cheese. In addition, you’ll get lots of nutrition from avocados (monounsaturated fats), tomatoes, and greens.

Visit Sims Kitchen for the recipe.

Healthy Skillet Breakfast Scramble

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As Sarah ofBucket List Tummycreatively puts it, this skillet breakfast scramble has all the “S’s.” That is, it’s savory, sweet, satisfying, and salty. In addition, it’s a ground beef and egg protein-packed meal filled with veggies like tomatoes and cauliflower. Perfect for breaking the fast. And at just 5 minutes to prepare and 15 minutes to cook, we’d add one more “S”; simple.

Visit Bucket List Tummy for the recipe.

Ground Beef Gyro Bowls

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With a blog called Ground Beef Recipes, you can expect to find all sorts of delicious and often healthy recipes featuring everyone’s favorite minced meat. Indeed, this bowl of colorful nutrition from Courtney fits the bill. Along with beef, you’ll find a medley of flavorful veggies like halved tomatoes, sliced red onions, strips of bell peppers, and zucchini medallions. Plus, there’s so much flavor from garlic, banana peppers, and dried herbs.

Visit Ground Beef Recipes for the recipe.

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Which Healthy Ground Beef Recipes Will You Try First?

With so many delicious and nutritious ground beef recipes on this list, it can be hard to choose one! There’s a ground beef and sweet potato skillet, stuffed acorn squash, ground beef, and broccoli, plus so many more! So, what will it be? Let us know!

22 Healthy Ground Beef Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the healthiest ground beef option? ›

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.

How to make ground beef healthier? ›

There's a simple and, in my opinion, quite profound way to reduce the fat content in ground beef by 50 percent! Just rinse the fat off. The other awesome thing — rinsing and draining ground beef washes away the fat without decreasing the vitamins and minerals or messing up the flavor.

Is ground beef healthy to lose weight? ›

Losing Weight

To be fair, though, there is some saturated fat and monounsaturated fat in even lean ground beef, whether you're cooking with 80/20, 85/15, or even a lean 90/10. Nevertheless, the high amount of protein that ground beef offers still makes it ideal for your meal plan, even if your goal is to lose weight.

Is 93/7 ground beef healthy? ›

All in all, whether buying ground beef or ground turkey, the important thing is to buy at least 93/7 lean-to-fat ratio. Lowering saturated fat is the goal, as eating too much saturated fat can raise LDL cholesterol, increasing the risk for heart disease and stroke.

What is a good protein substitute for ground beef? ›

Cooked legumes such as beans, chickpeas, and lentils can be swapped for a lot of ground beef recipes. Buying canned or dried beans instead of meat can also save you money.

What meat is the healthiest? ›

The leanest and healthiest meats to eat include poultry, pork, fish, and seafood. Eating a balanced diet is one of the keys to a healthy lifestyle, which means choosing various foods from different food groups, like proteins.

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.

Why do I feel better after eating ground beef? ›

Your Metabolism and Energy Levels Might Go Up

Lean meat is a great source of iron, and while you can also find iron in plant sources like beans, spinach and peas, our bodies are better at absorbing iron from animal sources, explains Sollid, adding that "iron is key for metabolism and heart health."

How many times a week should you eat ground beef? ›

Dietary goal

If you eat red meat, limit consumption to no more than about three portions per week. Three portions is equivalent to about 350–500g (about 12–18oz) cooked weight. Consume very little, if any, processed meat.

What meat helps lose belly fat? ›

Lean meat: It can help keep the metabolism high. Lean meats include skinless chicken breast, the white meat part of the turkey, and lean cuts of beef. Leafy greens, green tea, and bright vegetables can help reduce swelling and turn off fat-storage genes.

What meats should I avoid when losing weight? ›

Deli meat, hotdogs, and canned meat such as Spam are high in sodium and trans fat, which you should avoid if you are trying to lose weight. Like red meat, overconsumption of processed meats is linked to an increased risk of obesity and diabetes.

Is it okay to eat extra lean ground beef every day? ›

Even if you choose lean or extra-lean cuts of beef, don't eat too much. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that adults eat no more than a total of 26 ounces of meat, poultry and eggs per week. One portion of cooked meat is three ounces.

Is ground turkey really healthier than ground beef? ›

Ground beef and turkey are both nutritious meats that provide protein, fat, and a variety of vitamins and minerals. Turkey is generally lower in saturated fat than beef. As such, it may be a better choice for heart health. Fat-free turkey is also the lowest calorie option if you're interested in weight loss.

What is the healthiest ground beef to eat? ›

90/10: Ground sirloin

You might find that it's drier than regular ground beef or ground chuck after cooking, and that's because the fat content is lower (about 10 percent, give or take). But that's also what makes it the healthiest option of all the types of ground beef.

What is the healthiest type of beef to buy? ›

Of these, the following are considered the leanest beef cuts:
  • Eye of round roast and steak.
  • Round tip roast and steak.
  • Top round roast and steak.
  • Bottom round roast and steak.
  • Top sirloin steak.
  • Top loin steak.
  • Chuck shoulder and arm roasts.
Nov 21, 2023

Which is healthier lean or extra lean ground beef? ›

That six-ounce burger made from regular ground beef will still have more fat than one made from lean ground beef, an extra 11 grams of fat, give or take. If you make your burger with extra-lean ground beef instead of regular, you'll save 21 grams of fat (and 170 calories). That's considerable.

What is the best ground beef to use? ›

80% lean ground chuck (shoulder) will be the juiciest and most flavorful. It's also the grind I recommend for making burgers for the grill. It has the perfect fat-to-meat ratio. These burgers will still be juicy when grilled to the recommended internal temperature of 160 degrees.

What is the healthiest burger meat to buy? ›

Typically, ground beef with 80 percent lean and 20 percent fat makes the juiciest burgers; a four-ounce patty has 306 calories and 8 grams of saturated fat. Using 90 percent lean/10 percent fat ground beef can save you calories and fat; four ounces has 245 calories and 5 grams of saturated fat.

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