Healthy Ground Beef Recipes and Shopping Tips

Featured Recipes

Old-Fashioned Spaghetti & Meatballs

To stretch the ground beef, we use high-fiber bulgur and whole-wheat breadcrumbs in the meatballs, which are baked rather than fried.

» Old-Fashioned Spaghetti & Meatballs

Asian "Salisbury" Steak

The original Salisbury steak was named after a popular late-19th-century diet doctor who recommended a high-protein diet. This version only resembles the classic in name and shape--the flavors are Asian rather than European and it's served atop a tender bed of sauteed watercress. Make It a Meal: Add brown rice or rice noodles and a cold Tsingtao beer.

» Asian "Salisbury" Steak

Loaded Twice-Baked Potatoes

Potatoes are one of the great comfort foods, especially when stuffed with a satisfying mixture of lean ground beef and broccoli florets plus reduced-fat sour cream and Cheddar cheese. Add a tossed salad and you have a healthy and hearty meal that will leave you feeling good.

» Loaded Twice-Baked Potatoes

Tex-Mex Taco Salad

This version of the chain-restaurant favorite has fresh flavors and a healthy nutritional profile. Vary the heat by varying the type of salsa you use. Baked corn tortilla chips and lime wedges are natural accompaniments.

» Tex-Mex Taco Salad

Hamburger Buddy

Very finely chopping onion, mushrooms and carrots in the food processor is not only fast—it makes the vegetables hard to detect for picky eaters. They also form the base for the sauce of this ground beef skillet supper. Make it a meal: Serve with a green salad.

» Hamburger Buddy

Beef & Bean Chile Verde

Chile Verde, usually a slow-cooked stew of pork, jalapeños and tomatillos, becomes an easy weeknight meal with quick-cooking ground beef and store-bought green salsa. Make it a Meal: Serve with fresh cilantro, red onion and Monterey Jack. Add cornbread on the side and your favorite hot sauce.

» Beef & Bean Chile Verde

Portobello & Beef Patty Melt

This diner classic gets a makeover by replacing some of the ground beef with finely chopped portobello mushrooms, which add moisture and flavor. We like a smear of pickle relish on top, but you could try chutney, mustard or hot pepper relish in its place. Make it a Meal: Round out the plate with Oven Sweet Potato Fries and Balsamic & Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower.

» Portobello & Beef Patty Melt


Lean ground beef is a healthy choice. Really.

Ground beef is inexpensive and versatile—two great reasons to serve it for dinner. But there are even more great reasons to consider lean ground beef. For starters, the 93%-lean ground beef used in these healthy ground beef recipes, considered “lean” by the USDA, fits into a healthy eating plan. Few foods provide as much zinc, a mineral vital to growth and a healthy immune system. Plus beef is a great source of protein, iron and vitamin B12. And studies have shown that women with higher intakes of a naturally occurring trans fat found in beef had denser bones than women with lower intakes. Take advantage of the relatively little fat and all those health benefits with these easy ground beef recipes.

Healthy Ground Beef Recipes

The original Salisbury steak was named after a popular late-19th-century diet doctor...
Chile Verde, usually a slow-cooked stew of pork, jalapeños and tomatillos, becomes...
Meltingly sweet onions top these beef-and-bulgur patties.
The EatingWell Test Kitchen takes lean ground beef and combines it with whole-grain...
Our updated Sloppy Joe takes lean ground beef and adds chopped cremini mushrooms and...
Very finely chopping onion, mushrooms and carrots in the food processor is not only...
Use a spicy, not-too-sweet barbecue sauce in this beef and vegetable pie.
Prosciutto, wine and mushrooms dress up this all-purpose spaghetti sauce; keep some...
Kefta, seasoned ground meat, is one of Morocco's most popular street foods....
These savory pastries were created by Mariana Velasquez, a Test Kitchen intern who...
A combination of lean ground beef and ultra-lean ground turkey breast makes a less-...
Potatoes are one of the great comfort foods, especially when stuffed with a...
The addition of richly flavored dried mushrooms and the whole-grain goodness of...
Try this thick main-dish soup—full of chickpeas, tomatoes, lean ground beef and...
In EatingWell's take on Shepherd's Pie, we replace the potato topping with...
To stretch the ground beef, we use high-fiber bulgur and whole-wheat breadcrumbs in...
This diner classic gets a makeover by replacing some of the ground beef with finely...
Surprise your taste buds with this Greek twist on the Mexican staple.
This is a version of the famous meat sauce of Emilia Romagna, of which Bologna is...
Eggplant gives this pasta sauce a rich meatiness that complements the ground beef....
Kids and adults alike will love these quick, zippy burgers. The beans make the...
Reminiscent of the stuffed cabbage of yore, the mild flavor of chard makes these...
This wholesome sweet-and-sour soup combines beef, caraway seeds, sweet paprika and...
We braise these spicy beef meatballs and Chinese cabbage in a bit of beef broth....
This version of the chain-restaurant favorite has fresh flavors and a healthy...

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