Ground beef is a go to food when you are looking to eat healthy and lose weight/build muscle.
Not to mention that ground beef is inexpensive, quick to cook up, easy to freeze and can be used in an endless amount of meals.
If you’re like me and like to cook with local ingredients and create healthy recipes, I would recommend you check out this beef casserole from Harvest Eating.
If you’re looking for some new, healthy ground beef recipes then you have come to the right place.
Benefits of Ground Beef for Bodybuilding
Ground beef is an invaluable nutritional powerhouse that can support muscle development.
Ground beef stands out among its peers for its abundance of protein. Essential for muscle repair and growth, protein can be found abundantly in ground beef – providing a powerful dose of this vital nutrient! Ground beef provides all the essential amino acids necessary for building and repairing muscle tissue, with these amino acids playing an integral role in stimulating protein synthesis and optimizing muscle recovery. Ground beef contains essential micronutrients that contribute to overall health and muscle development, including an abundance of iron which aids oxygen transportation during rigorous workouts and energy production during recovery periods. Furthermore, ground beef offers important vitamins like B12 and zinc which have been found to aid optimal muscle functioning and hormone production.
By including ground beef in your bodybuilding diet, you can reap its many advantages: its high protein content, essential amino acids and micronutrients can all promote muscle growth while helping you reach your fitness goals.
Ground Beef Recipes
Korean Ground Beef and Rice Bowls
These Korean Ground Beef and Rice Bowls are so incredibly easy to make and will become one of your go to ground beef meals!
It requires minimal ingredients and requires only a little effort to make.
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
600
Calories[/div] [div class=”sanz-fourth”]
30 g
Protein[/div] [div class=”sanz-fourth”]
77 g
Carbs[/div] [div class=”sanz-fourth”]
19 g
Fat[/div]
Ingredients
1 pound lean ground beef (90% lean)
3 garlic cloves, minced
¼ cup packed brown sugar
¼ cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
2 teaspoons sesame oil
¼ teaspoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
¼ teaspoon pepper
2 cups hot cooked white or brown rice
sliced green onions and sesame seeds for garnish
15-Minute Lazy Noodles
Who doesn’t love noodles? And who doesn’t love a healthy meal that you can put together in 15 minutes!
These 15-Minute Lazy Noodles really do come together in just 15 minutes, all with ingredients you’ve probably got lying around your kitchen already. Check them out!
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
369
Calories[/div] [div class=”sanz-fourth”]
30 g
Protein[/div] [div class=”sanz-fourth”]
13 g
Carbs[/div] [div class=”sanz-fourth”]
17 g
Fat[/div]
Ingredients
12 oz. dried wheat noodles (almost any noodle will do––even spaghetti)
1-2 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil
1 pound ground beef, pork, chicken, or turkey
1 onion, thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, sliced
2 large handfuls of baby spinach
salt and pepper
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
2 teaspoons sesame oil
1 teaspoon honey
2 teaspoons chili oil (optional)
California Taco Flatbread
A delicious wrap filled with romaine lettuce, spiced ground beef, cheese, guacamole, salsa and optionally add crushed tortilla chips for a little extra crunch. You can easily switch things up to your own tastes. Use any kind of lettuce and add cilantro or sour cream. Don’t forget the golden rule of wrap-making though…don’t overstuff it and keep it nice and tight when you roll the wrap together.
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
422
Calories[/div] [div class=”sanz-fourth”]
12 g
Protein[/div] [div class=”sanz-fourth”]
10 g
Carbs[/div] [div class=”sanz-fourth”]
17 g
Fat[/div]
Ingredients
2 Flatbreads
8 oz ground beef
2 teaspoons taco seasoning
1 romaine lettuce
1 cup grated Mexican cheese
2 cups tortilla chips
Guacamole
Fresh salsa
Chopped cilantro (optional)
Classic Ground Beef Hardshell Tacos
How good are ground beef tacos!
These healthy home made tacos can be made with very little planning involved. They make the perfect go-to meal after a long day of all work and no tacos. Feel free to mix and match the ingredients to your taste.
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
365
Calories[/div] [div class=”sanz-fourth”]
77 g
Protein[/div] [div class=”sanz-fourth”]
38 g
Carbs[/div] [div class=”sanz-fourth”]
20 g
Fat[/div]
Ingredients
1/2 lb . ground beef
6-8 corn tortillas
1/2 onion
1 garlic clove
1 chipotle in adobo
1 Tablespoon adobo sauce
1 Tablespoon chili powder (I used crushed New Mexican)
1/4 teaspoon salt
dash cumin (optional)
dash oregano (optional)
dash black pepper
2 tomatoes
fresh lettuce
Monterey Jack cheese (or Mozzarella)
guacamole (optional)
Cauliflower and Ground Beef Hash
A simple recipe that you can make any night of the week. This cauliflower and ground beef hash is an easy low carb, high protein option if you’re in a rush or don’t want to make a complicated meal. And, boy, does it fill you up!
Feel free to add in some chilli, bacon or other seasonings to mix it up.
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
313
Calories[/div] [div class=”sanz-fourth”]
34 g
Protein[/div] [div class=”sanz-fourth”]
5 g
Carbs[/div] [div class=”sanz-fourth”]
17 g
Fat[/div]
Ingredients
16 oz. bag frozen cauliflower, defrosted and drained
1 lb. lean ground beef
2 c. cheddar cheese
1 tsp. garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste
15-Minute Quinoa and Korean Beef Bowl
This 15-Minute Quinoa and Korean Beef Bowl is the perfect quick, easy and healthy dinner recipe that you can also make in bulk for a delicious meal prep. Use ground beef or ground turkey for this Korean beef recipe that’s full of flavour and protein.
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
406
Calories[/div] [div class=”sanz-fourth”]
29 g
Protein[/div] [div class=”sanz-fourth”]
38 g
Carbs[/div] [div class=”sanz-fourth”]
16 g
Fat[/div]
Ingredients
1 cup quinoa, dry but rinsed
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground ginger
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound lean ground beef
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, or more if you like it spicy
salt and pepper, to taste
2 green onions, thinly sliced
Sweet and Spicy Korean Meatballs
Are you starting to realise that I like Korean beef recipes?
These Sweet and Spicy Korean Meatballs will change your life. They’re made with lean beef, flavoured with garlic and Sriracha sauce, baked without the hassle of frying and glazed with a spicy apricot glaze. They make a great snack or party food or you can cook up some rice and have them as a meal. It’s up to you!
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
Calories[/div] [div class=”sanz-fourth”]
15 g
Protein[/div] [div class=”sanz-fourth”]
140 g
Carbs[/div] [div class=”sanz-fourth”]
7 g
Fat[/div]
Ingredients
1 1/2 lb lean ground beef
4 green onions chopped
1/2 cup Panko breadcrumbs
3 cloves garlic minced
1 egg
2 tbsp Sriracha sauce
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
For Spicy Apricot Glaze
1/2 cup apricot jam
1 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp Sriracha sauce
Porcupine Meatballs in Creamy Tomato Sauce
If you’re like me and didn’t know what the hell a porcupine meatball was, you better listen up because you are going to LOVE them. They are a combination of meat and rice and got their name because rice often pokes out of them and resembles porcupine quills! This recipe is a little high in fat so feel free to adjust some of the ingredients to fit your macros.
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
418
Calories[/div] [div class=”sanz-fourth”]
29 g
Protein[/div] [div class=”sanz-fourth”]
6 g
Carbs[/div] [div class=”sanz-fourth”]
29 g
Fat[/div]
Ingredients
½ cup rice
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp butter
1 large onion, chopped
1 large carrot, grated
1 lbs ground beef, extra lean
1 lbs ground pork, extra lean
1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
2 tsp salt
0.5 tsp pepper
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp butter
1 large onion, chopped
1 large carrot, grated
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
1X14 oz/400g canned plum tomatoes
1 cup/250 ml chicken stock
3 tbsp sour cream, full fat
salt
Baked Greek Feta Meatballs
Rich and ground beef and lamb, mixed with fresh herbs, garlic and feta cheese, make these Baked Greek Feta Meatballs a go to Greek Meal.
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
400
Calories[/div] [div class=”sanz-fourth”]
28 g
Protein[/div] [div class=”sanz-fourth”]
19 g
Carbs[/div] [div class=”sanz-fourth”]
18 g
Fat[/div]
Ingredients
Greek Feta Meatballs
1/2 lb. ground beef
1/2 lb. ground pork or lamb
1/4 cup Panko breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf Italian parsley
3 tablespoons grated onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
Zest of 1 lemon
1 eggs
1 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
2 ounces crumbled feta cheese
Gyro Sandwiches
4-5 pita bread
2 Roma tomato, sliced
1/2 small red onion, sliced thin
Greek Tzatziki sauce
Greek Spinach & Feta Meatloaf
Every bite of this tender, juicy meatloaf is full of possibilities with feta cheese, garlicky spinach, roasted red peppers, onions and pine nuts. There’s a trio of herbs including thyme, parsley and oregano plus a big glug of Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, seasoned bread crumbs and eggs to hold it all together.
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
379
Calories[/div] [div class=”sanz-fourth”]
16 g
Protein[/div] [div class=”sanz-fourth”]
21 g
Carbs[/div] [div class=”sanz-fourth”]
28 g
Fat[/div]
Ingredients
2 cloves minced garlic
4 cups baby spinach
1 + ¼ pounds ground beef
½ cup crumbled feta cheese
⅓ cup diced roasted red peppers (from a jar)
¼ cup chopped yellow onion
⅓ cup seasoned bread crumbs
1 egg
½ teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon dried parsley
½ teaspoon dried thyme
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
¼ cup ketchup plus 2 tablespoons for brushing on top
¼ cup pine nuts
Ground Beef Enchilada Zucchini Boats
If you’re looking for a gluten free version of classic beef enchiladas, this is your recipe! A little over 30 minutes to make. They’re big on and low on calories at only 222 calories a serving!
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
222
Calories[/div] [div class=”sanz-fourth”]
11 g
Protein[/div] [div class=”sanz-fourth”]
21g
Carbs[/div] [div class=”sanz-fourth”]
10 g
Fat[/div]
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
½ cup diced red onion
1 lb. lean ground beef
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon ground cumin
salt to taste
3 large zucchinis, sliced in half lengthwise and scooped out to create a “boat”
1½ cups of old el paso red enchilada sauce
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
Optional toppings:
diced tomatoes
diced green onions
diced avocado
Bacon Burger & Fries
This “bacon burger & fries” Paleo breakfast bake combines savoury, crispy bacon, grass-fed ground beef and crispy sweet potatoes with greens and baked eggs. This is great for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Try it out!
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
344
Calories[/div] [div class=”sanz-fourth”]
30 g
Protein[/div] [div class=”sanz-fourth”]
7.5 g
Carbs[/div] [div class=”sanz-fourth”]
19 g
Fat[/div]
Ingredients
1 large sweet potato
2 tsp olive oil (for roasting) + sea salt and pepper
6 slices bacon, nitrate free & sugar free for Whole30, cut into bite size pieces
½ lb grass-fed ground beef, 85% lean
1 small onion, chopped
½ cup chopped mushrooms
2 large handfuls fresh spinach, chopped
4 large eggs
generous pinch sea salt and pepper
sliced scallions or chives for garnish (optional)
Spicy Beef & Cucumber Salad With Cashew Raita
A tasty warm beef salad that’s sure to mix things up. There’s a lot going on in this recipe but it tastes amazing.
If you’re looking for something a bit different check this one out.
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
758
Calories[/div] [div class=”sanz-fourth”]
20 g
Protein[/div] [div class=”sanz-fourth”]
18 g
Carbs[/div] [div class=”sanz-fourth”]
23 g
Fat[/div]
Ingredients
2 tablespoons coconut oil
½ brown onion, finely diced
½ long red chill, finely diced
350-400 g (0.8 lb.) grass-fed beef mince
3 cloves garlic, finely diced
1 teaspoon tomato paste
¾ teaspoon ground coriander seeds
¾ teaspoon ground cumin
½ tea
spoon paprika
Pinch of black pepper
Pinch of ground cinnamon
Pinch of ground cloves (or use mortar & pestle to grind 1 clove or use some Allspice)
¾ teaspoon sea salt
2 cups diced cucumber (3-4 medium Lebanese cucumbers)
2 tablespoons diced fresh coriander (cilantro)
Pinch of pepper
Pinch of sea salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoons lemon juice
10 fresh mint leaves
Few whole raw cashews
¾ cup raw cashews, soaked in warm water for 1 hour
½ clove of garlic, diced
Juice of 1 lemon
¾ teaspoon tahini paste
2 tablespoons water
Pinch of sea salt
Healthy Sloppy Joes
This sloppy joe recipe is a great dish to have at hand. Add it with rice or in a bun. You can even package it up and meal prep it for an easy on the go meal.
Oh and I forgot to say, it tastes great too! What more could you want from a meal?
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
220
Calories[/div] [div class=”sanz-fourth”]
22.5 g
Protein[/div] [div class=”sanz-fourth”]
14.5 g
Carbs[/div] [div class=”sanz-fourth”]
8 g
Fat[/div]
Ingredients
1.5 pounds ground beef or turkey (93/7)
8 oz tomato paste
¼ cup + 2 Tablespoons tomato sauce
0.5 Tablespoons garlic powder
0.25 teaspoon salt
0.5 Tablespoons chili powder
0.25 teaspoons garlic salt
2.5 Tablespoons honey or maple syrup
Stuffed Spaghetti Squash with Tomato and Ground Beef
Craving pasta but don’t want all the excess carbs? This stuffed spaghetti squash with tomato and ground beef is your answer.
You’ll get all the tastiness of a pasta dish without all the additional carbs.
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
285
Calories[/div] [div class=”sanz-fourth”]
22 g
Protein[/div] [div class=”sanz-fourth”]
13 g
Carbs[/div] [div class=”sanz-fourth”]
18 g
Fat[/div]
Ingredients
3 lb spaghetti squash1 lb ground beef
1 green pepper, diced
1 onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 portobello mushroom, halved and sliced
1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes, drained
Salt and pepper
1/2 tsp. dried thyme
1 tsp. dried oregano
1/4 tsp. cayenne
Parmesan cheese for topping if desired
Budget-Friendly Ground Beef Jerky
Beef Jerky is a great high protein, low carb, easy, on-the-go snack. Homemade ground beef jerky is not only cost effective but it also allows you to add different spices and flavours to your liking. The other added benefit it you get to control the amount of sodium added as some store-bought products are loaded with it.
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
82
Calories[/div] [div class=”sanz-fourth”]
7 g
Protein[/div] [div class=”sanz-fourth”]
2 g
Carbs[/div] [div class=”sanz-fourth”]
5 g
Fat[/div]
Ingredients
1/2 cup soy sauce
1 teaspoon liquid smoke
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder or 1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 pound lean ground beef or venison
5-Ingredient Chili
I love simple recipes and it doesn’t get much simpler than 5 ingredients!
So if you’re looking to knock up an awesome chili in a snap, you have to check out this tasty five-ingredient easy chili recipe!
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
1298
Calories[/div] [div class=”sanz-fourth”]
122.8 g
Protein[/div] [div class=”sanz-fourth”]
95.9 g
Carbs[/div] [div class=”sanz-fourth”]
41.2 g
Fat[/div]
Ingredients
1 lb. ground beef or turkey*
1 small white onion, diced
3 (15 oz.) cans diced tomatoes with green chiles
2 (15 oz.) cans beans, drained (black beans, kidney beans, a combo, or whatever you like)
2 Tbsp. chili powder
(optional toppings: shredded cheese, chopped green onions, sour cream, cilantro, etc.)
Stuffed Bell Peppers
This is a great make ahead meal. You can prep the bell peppers in the morning or even a day or 2 before and just pop it in the oven 40 minutes before you’re ready to eat them! Also it happens to be one of the tastiest things I have ever put in my mouth!
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
444
Calories[/div] [div class=”sanz-fourth”]
25 g
Protein[/div] [div class=”sanz-fourth”]
30 g
Carbs[/div] [div class=”sanz-fourth”]
15 g
Fat[/div]
Ingredients
4 Bell Peppers
1 lb ground beef
1 small onion, finely diced
1 tsp minced garlic
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 tsp Tony Chachere’s creole seasoning
1 egg
1/3 cup quick cooking oats
1 TBSP Worcestershire
15 oz can tomato sauce (divided)
shredded cheese of your choice
