Ground beef is a staple in many households for a good reason. It’s versatile, affordable, and can be transformed into countless delicious meals. If you’re wondering What Can I Make With Ground Beef besides the usual burgers or tacos, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s explore some exciting and easy ground beef recipes that will inspire your next dinner.
Ground beef doesn’t have to be boring. From comforting classics to globally-inspired dishes, the possibilities are endless. Are you looking for a quick weeknight meal, a budget-friendly family dinner, or something a little more adventurous? Ground beef can be the star ingredient in all of them.
Let’s move beyond the everyday and discover some fantastic recipes that answer the question, “what can I make with ground beef tonight?”
Beyond the Basics: Exploring Ground Beef Recipes
We all love a good burger, but ground beef’s potential stretches far beyond patties. Let’s dive into a variety of dishes, categorized to help you find exactly what you’re looking for.
Quick & Easy Weeknight Ground Beef Meals
When time is short, ground beef is your best friend. These recipes are designed for speed and simplicity, perfect for busy weeknights:
- One-Pan Ground Beef and Veggies: Toss ground beef with your favorite vegetables like broccoli, carrots, and potatoes, season generously, and roast in the oven for a complete meal in under 30 minutes.
- Speedy Beef Chili: A simplified version of chili using canned beans and tomatoes, ready in about 20 minutes. Perfect for a chilly evening.
- Ground Beef Stir-Fry: Combine browned ground beef with stir-fry vegetables and a flavorful sauce (soy sauce, ginger, garlic) for a fast and healthy Asian-inspired dish. Serve over rice or noodles.
- Korean Ground Beef Bowls: This recipe, inspired by Bulgogi, is a fantastic example of a quick, flavorful meal. We’ll delve into this recipe in detail below!
Comfort Food Ground Beef Classics
For those days when you crave something warm and comforting, ground beef delivers:
- Classic Meatloaf: A timeless family favorite, meatloaf is hearty, satisfying, and perfect with mashed potatoes and gravy.
- Shepherd’s Pie: Layers of savory ground beef and vegetables topped with creamy mashed potatoes and baked until golden brown.
- Beef Stroganoff: Creamy mushroom and beef sauce served over egg noodles. A rich and comforting dish perfect for a cozy night in.
- American Goulash: A hearty and flavorful pasta dish with ground beef, tomatoes, and cheese.
Globally Inspired Ground Beef Dishes
Take your taste buds on a trip around the world with these international ground beef recipes:
- Italian Meat Sauce (Ragu): A rich and slow-simmered meat sauce perfect for pasta dishes like spaghetti or lasagna.
- Tacos and Burritos (Mexican): Seasoned ground beef is the classic filling for tacos and burritos. Get creative with toppings!
- Empanadas (Latin American): Savory pastries filled with spiced ground beef, olives, and raisins.
- Korean Ground Beef (Bulgogi Style): Sweet and savory marinated ground beef, a flavorful and quick dish.
Spotlight Recipe: Easy Korean Ground Beef
Let’s focus on a standout recipe that perfectly answers “what can I make with ground beef that’s both easy and exciting?”: Korean Ground Beef. This dish is inspired by the popular Korean BBQ dish Bulgogi, but simplified for a quick weeknight meal using ground beef. It’s budget-friendly, packed with flavor, and ready in just about 20 minutes!
This recipe is a fantastic alternative when you’re tired of the same old ground beef dishes. It brings bold Korean flavors to your table with minimal effort.
Ingredients for Korean Ground Beef
One of the best things about this Korean ground beef recipe is that it uses simple ingredients you can easily find in your local grocery store, and you might already have many of them in your pantry. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Canola or Vegetable Oil: For cooking the ground beef and garlic.
- Ground Beef: Ground chuck works great too.
- Garlic: Essential for flavor.
- Soy Sauce: Adds that signature Asian flavor and saltiness.
- Orange Juice: For a touch of sweetness and acidity.
- Brown Sugar: Adds depth and sweetness to balance the savory flavors.
- Sweet Chili Sauce: Provides a little heat and extra sweetness.
- Toasted Sesame Oil: The key to that nutty, authentic Asian flavor.
- Cornstarch: To thicken the delicious sauce.
- Green Onions: For fresh flavor and garnish.
See the recipe card below for the exact measurements.
How to Make Korean Ground Beef: Step-by-Step
This recipe is incredibly straightforward, making it ideal for a weeknight meal. Here’s a quick overview:
- Brown the Beef: In a skillet, brown the ground beef with minced garlic. Drain any excess grease.
- Make the Sauce: Whisk together soy sauce, orange juice, brown sugar, sweet chili sauce, sesame oil, and cornstarch in a bowl.
- Combine and Simmer: Pour the sauce over the browned ground beef. Simmer until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the beef beautifully.
- Serve and Garnish: Serve the Korean ground beef over rice, garnished with sliced green onions.
For the detailed recipe, keep scrolling to the recipe card at the end of this article.
Serving Suggestions for Korean Ground Beef
Traditionally, Korean Ground Beef is served over white rice. However, you can also get creative with your sides:
- Rice Alternatives: Try it with ramen noodles, udon noodles, or even quinoa for a healthier option.
- Vegetables: Steamed broccoli, sautéed snap peas, grilled asparagus, or a refreshing Asian cucumber salad are all excellent choices.
- Lettuce Wraps: For a lighter, low-carb meal, serve the Korean ground beef in lettuce leaves for delicious lettuce wraps.
Make Ahead and Storage Tips
Korean Ground Beef is perfect for meal prepping and can be easily frozen.
- Freezing Before Cooking: Combine all sauce ingredients and freeze. When ready to cook, thaw the sauce, brown the ground beef, and combine.
- Freezing After Cooking: Let the cooked ground beef cool completely, then store it in freezer-safe bags or containers for up to 3 months.
- Leftovers: Store leftovers in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop, adding a little beef broth if needed to prevent drying out.
Ready to Cook? Easy Korean Ground Beef Recipe Below!
Say goodbye to dinner dilemmas! This Korean ground beef recipe is your answer to “what can I make with ground beef” when you want something quick, flavorful, and different. It’s a guaranteed family pleaser that will become a regular in your recipe rotation.
Easy Korean Ground Beef Recipe
4.07 from 63 votes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 8
Description
This easy Korean ground beef recipe is a tasty dinner idea that is light on the budget but heavy on the bold Korean flavors! Your family is going to love it!
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon Canola or Vegetable Oil
- 2 Pounds Ground Beef, or ground chuck
- 4 Cloves Garlic, minced
- 1/2 Cup Soy Sauce
- 1/2 Cup Orange Juice
- 1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
- 1/4 Cup Sweet Chili Sauce
- 2 teaspoons Toasted Sesame Oil
- 1 Tablespoon Cornstarch
- 2 Green Onions, sliced, plus more for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a skillet or cast iron pan over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and garlic. Cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon or meat chopper, about 3-5 minutes. Drain any excess grease.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together soy sauce, orange juice, brown sugar, sweet chili sauce, toasted sesame oil, and cornstarch.
- Pour the sauce mixture over the browned ground beef in the skillet. Simmer until the sauce slightly thickens, coating the beef, about 2-3 minutes.
- Serve hot over rice. Garnish with sliced green onions.
Nutrition
Serving: 1cup | Calories: 404kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 81mg | Sodium: 970mg | Potassium: 401mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 61IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 3mg
Author: what.edu.vn Expert
Course: Dinner, Ground Beef Recipes, Easy Recipes
Enjoy exploring all the delicious possibilities of ground beef! From quick weeknight dinners to comforting classics and global flavors, ground beef is truly a kitchen superhero.