Ingredient Guide
What to Cook With Ground Beef: 8 Fast Weeknight Dinners
Ground beef is one of the most practical proteins in the freezer — knowing what to cook with ground beef means having a reliable answer to dinner on any night of the week. Recipes with ground beef range from 15-minute skillet meals to slow-simmered bolognese, and figuring out how to use up ground beef before it expires is almost always delicious.
8 Recipes With Ground Beef
Classic Beef Bolognese
Brown ground beef with soffritto, deglaze with wine, simmer in crushed tomatoes for 45 minutes, and toss with fresh pasta for a rich Italian ragù.
Korean Ground Beef Bowls
Cook ground beef with soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and brown sugar, then serve over rice with sesame seeds and sliced scallions.
Beef and Bean Chili
Brown ground beef with onion, bloom the chili powder and cumin, then simmer with canned tomatoes and kidney beans for an hour.
Smash Burgers
Press loose balls of ground beef onto a screaming-hot cast iron, smash flat, and let the crust form before flipping — the best burger technique.
Beef Stuffed Peppers
Fill halved bell peppers with seasoned ground beef and cooked rice, top with tomato sauce and cheese, then roast until tender.
Meatball Soup
Roll ground beef into small meatballs, drop directly into simmering broth with pasta and spinach, and cook until everything is done.
Ground Beef Tacos
Season ground beef with cumin, chili powder, and garlic, then pile into warmed tortillas with salsa, cheese, and shredded cabbage.
Shepherd's Pie Skillet
Cook ground beef with peas and carrots in a savory gravy, then top with mashed potato right in the pan and broil until golden.
Pro Tips for Cooking With Ground Beef
- 1
Don't press or stir ground beef too early when browning — leave it alone for 3–4 minutes to develop a proper crust before breaking it up.
- 2
For leaner ground beef (90/10), add a tablespoon of olive oil to prevent sticking and dryness; richer 80/20 has enough fat to cook itself.
- 3
Freeze ground beef in 1-lb portions flattened in zip-lock bags — they thaw in 20 minutes and stack flat in the freezer.
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View guide →Frequently Asked Questions
How long does ground beef last in the fridge?
Raw ground beef keeps for 1–2 days in the refrigerator. Cooked ground beef lasts 3–4 days. Because it's been ground (exposing more surface area to bacteria), it spoils faster than whole cuts — plan to cook or freeze it the day you buy it.
Can I freeze raw ground beef?
Yes — ground beef freezes exceptionally well for up to 4 months. Flatten it in zip-lock bags to about an inch thick before freezing so it thaws quickly (20–30 minutes in cold water, or overnight in the fridge). Don't thaw on the counter.
What fat percentage should I buy for different recipes?
80/20 (80% lean, 20% fat) is best for burgers and meatballs — the fat keeps them juicy. 90/10 works well for tacos, bolognese, and stuffed peppers where you drain the fat anyway. 93/7 is the leanest and best for high-protein meal prep where you want to control fat intake.
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