If you’re looking for the best beef recipes, you’re in the right spot! This is part of a series written in partnership with the Missouri Beef Industry Council! This series explores beef nutrition, beef’s role in sustainability, how cattle are raised for beef, and delicious ways to enjoy beef in your home kitchen.
If you’re reading this, congrats! You stuck with us until the last installment of my “Meat of the Matter” Series. So far, we’ve explored Beef Nutrition in Part One, Beef Sustainability in Part Two, and Beef Labels and what they mean in Part Three.
Maybe you’re just here for the best beef recipes, and if that’s the case, welcome! I encourage you to check out the other posts in the series to learn more about beef and where it comes from. I personally enjoy learning as much as I can about my food – it helps me feel more informed and confident when shopping, and I like being able to trust what I put on my plate.
This series was such a fun (and tasty!) way to connect with beef farmers and ranchers right here in my home state of Missouri. I hope it’s been as insightful for you as it was for me!
Best Beef Recipes from Dietitians
Without any further adieu, let’s see the food! This collection of easy beef recipes comes from fellow dietitians and food bloggers who are just as passionate about sharing good food as I am.
And if this doesn’t feel like enough recipe inspiration for you, be sure to check out Beef: It’s What’s For Dinner for even more beef-inspired recipes!
Enjoy!
Beef Sandwiches and Wraps
To start things off, we’re keeping it simple with some easy beef recipes for sandwiches, wraps, tacos, and more. They’re all convenient options because you can eat them sans plate! I sometimes get caught in a rut with eating the same simple things over and over (especially when life gets hectic) so I appreciate having more diverse options like what we have here.
That’s why I really love what dietitian Rachael Hartley did with these Greek Tacos with Kale and Creamy Feta Sauce. The seasoned ground beef cooks in no time but will remind you of the yummy flavors found in gyros.
I would totally order these from a restaurant, but I love that they’re so simple to make at home! And speaking of restaurants, that’s where I drew inspiration for my Instant Pot French Dip Sandwiches. In college, I worked at a deli and this was one of our most popular orders. The crusty bread was perfect for soaking up all the savory, salty au jus and the beef flavor flowed through every single bite.
I’m not exaggerating when I say this is one of the best beef recipes I’ve ever come up with!
Now, there’s some debate about whether tacos belong in this category, but since they’re another handheld recipe like sandwiches and wraps, I’m including this version from dietitian Julie Harrington. Her Instant Pot Barbacoa Beef Tacos look so colorful and crunchy!
If you’re looking for the perfect topping for sandwiches and tacos, check out one of my most popular recipes: Quick Pickled Cucumbers and Onions. They’re be a great pairing with these tacos and more!
If you have similar ingredients and taste preferences, you can also make these Cheesy Veggie Ground Beef Quesadillas from Milk and Honey Nutrition.
I made something similar with these Breakfast Beef Quesadillas using leftover steak and eggs, along with veggies and plenty of cheese. It’s one of my favorites for breakfast-for-dinner!
Beef Stir Fry Recipes and Asian-Inspired Beef Recipes
This is honestly one of my favorite categories for easy beef recipes because we get to use one of my favorite cuts of beef: skirt steak! This is a long, thin cut of beef that can be tough if overcooked but we’ve perfected the technique for searing it in a skillet (or on the grill) and slicing it into thin strips against the grain.
You can learn more cooking tips in my blog post that accompanies this recipe for an Easy Beef Stir Fry with Skirt Steak and Veggies. We make a slightly different version each time depending on which veggies we need to use up, so use this recipe as a guide and create your own delicious version!
Use a similar technique when cooking with flank steak. Dietitian Chelsea Burgess created this recipe for Spring Vegetables and Flank Steak Stir Fry. The carrot + ginger flavor combo is amazing!
If you’re more adventurous with flavors, this Vietnamese pho-inspired dish might hit the spot. This Spicy Vietnamese Beef Noodle Bowl comes from the Live Best blog and uses thinly sliced strips of sirloin. This cut cooks quickly, especially when sliced thin, because it’s such a lean cut of beef.
But don’t feel like you always have to turn to steak to create a stir fry with beef. This Thai Beef Bowl with Garlic and Spinach (from dietitian Rebecca Clyde) uses ground beef!
Finally, rounding out this category of beef stir fry recipes and Asian-inspired dishes, we have a slow cooker option. Dietitian Diana Rice came up with this Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli recipe that offers a hands-free cooking option for busy families.
Beef Bowls and Main Entrees
Beef remains one of the most popular proteins for American families for a reason – it’s incredibly versatile with endless ways to enjoy it!
In this category, we start out with a classic made modern. Instant Pot Swiss Steak (from the Grateful Meal blog) is a hearty meal that’s packed with veggies and flavor. Serve with a side of rice, like what’s pictured here, or try it with mashed potatoes or roasted veggies.
If you’re a fan of skirt steak, don’t miss my recipe for Seared Skirt Steak with Roasted Red Pepper Relish!
Dietitian Karman Meyers takes another classic, beef tenderloin, and adds in the veggies. Her One-Pan Beef Tenderloin and Roasted Vegetables recipe is gorgeous!
Beef tenderloin is one of the most flavorful and lean cuts of beef. And because of that, it’s also one of the more expensive cuts. If you’ve never attempted it but want to make the most of your purchase, be sure to check out these helpful cooking tips for Beef Tenderloin from dietitian Jodi Danen.
But the amazing flavor of beef can’t be limited to just hearty dinner meals. Bucket List Tummy created this breakfast recipe and shared more about beef nutrition, especially the benefits of choline. Her Skillet Breakfast Scramble looks like something my family would love to dig into!
My family (especially my dad) also loves meatloaf. I’m digging the familiar flavors in these Maple-BBQ Mini Meatloaves with Brussels Sprouts and Sweet Potatoes from Kiss In The Kitchen.
But you don’t always have to venture far from familiar flavors to create a unique flavor experience. Laurel Ann Nutrition shows us how with a Cuban-inspired meal, Slow Cooker Picadillo. The ground beef is seasoned with cumin, oregano, and cinnamon (all of which are likely already in your pantry or easy to source on your next grocery run). It also features olives and raisins and the end result is both parts sweet and salty with a little bit of tang.
For more easy beef recipes for main entrees, check out this list:
- Balsamic-Glazed Meatballs from Sarah Pflugradt
- Grilled Cilantro-Lime Steak from Jessica Levinson
- BBQ Ground Beef Stuffed Sweet Potatoes from the Snacking in Sneakers blog
- Beef and Mushroom Stromboli from the Dirt Road Dietitian
- Easy Weekend Brisket from the Feeding Bliss Blog
- Beef Meatballs with Chimichurri Sauce from The Oregon Dietitian
It’s no secret I’m a huge fan of chimichurri sauce – in fact, I’d make my version of Lemon Chimichurri Sauce and add it to these Beef Brisket Nachos from Shaw’s Simple Swaps. How fun would it be to serve these up at your next game day watch party?
Beef Soups, Stews, and Chili
And speaking of gameday get-togethers and other indoor winter activities, you can’t go wrong with beef in your favorite chili recipe. Especially once it cools off and you start to crave a hearty one-bowl meal. Here are three versions from me:
But, of course, chili isn’t the only stew well-suited for beef. I love this Instant Pot Guinness Beef Stew from dietitian Kara Lydon. Beef stew meat is sometimes thought to be tough or chewy, but that’s never been my experience when using the Instant Pot.
A slow cooker or Crock-Pot is a great alternative if you don’t have one, as well as a traditional pressure cooker for the stovetop. And if you’re a fan of cooking with beer, check out this version from my friend and fellow dietitian Emily from EmPowered Nutrition: Beer Braised Beef Short Rib Chili.
To finish out the soups, stews, and chili category, here are a few more easy beef recipes I think you’ll enjoy:
- Cranberry Beef Soup from Food with Judes
- Moroccan Beef & Lentils from Smart Nutrition
- Beef and Sweet Potato Chili from dietitian Rebecca Bitzer and her team
There you have it! Thirty of the best beef recipes from fellow beef-loving dietitians. Don’t forget you can also visit the recipe archive at Beef: It’s What’s For Dinner to see even more!
Be sure to check out the other posts in the “Meat of the Matter” series to learn more about beef nutrition, beef sustainability, and what all the different beef labels mean!
Questions & Reviews
We should do the Breakfast Scramble and the Quesadillas