Discover smart ways with ground beef that go beyond the usual fare. From quick weeknight meals to big-batch cooking, here are five creative ideas to make the most of this versatile ingredient. 

There’s a reason ground beef is considered to be a meal-planning staple. Actually, scratch that— there are a number of reasons. It’s affordable, a great source of protein and incredibly versatile. Show us another ingredient that has that much going for it.  

Some people shy away from buying ground beef in bulk because they don’t think they’ll use the increased amount quickly enough, but we’ve learned that a little creativity can go a long way. We’ve done a deep dive into the many ways ground beef can come to the rescue every night of the week. Read on for five creative and delicious ways to use this kitchen essential. 

First Things First: Be Smart About Storage 

Ground beef freezes like a dream. As long as you plan to use it within three to four months, you’re good. To stock your freezer, buy a large two- or four- pound package and split it up into ½-lb or 1-lb portions. Place each portion in a heavy-duty freezer bag, flatten the meat to about an inch thick and press out excess air. Seal the back tightly and label with the date. Lay flat in the freezer.  It’s important to divide up and freeze ground beef as soon as possible after purchase, to preserve freshness.  

If you have a little more time, cook up the package of ground beef ahead of freezing for ground beef at the ready to add to a jar of pasta sauce, top pizza or stir into soup or pasta. It’s a super way to fortify quick meals with boosts of protein and iron.  

Here’s how to do it: 

Season ground beef with salt and pepper (you can also add in some minced onion and garlic, if you like). Pan-fry in a large skillet until cooked through; beef will no longer be pink and onions will be softened. Drain off any liquid from the pan. Transfer ground beef to a foil-lined baking sheet and spread into a single layer, then freeze until firm (about an hour). Break up the frozen cooked ground beef into crumbles to scoop into portion-sized freezer bags or containers. Seal, removing as much air as possible, and freeze for up to three to four months. 

5 Smart Ways to Use Ground Beef 

1. Develop New Classics 

There is absolutely nothing wrong with burgers, tacos and meatloaf. There’s a reason these dishes have stood the test of time. But that doesn’t mean you can’t give them a little makeover. Consider topping burgers with sautéed veggies and a fried egg to channel the flavours of Korean bibimbap; fold taco-spiced meat into a layered tortilla pie; and instead of the standard seasoning meatloaf is known for, switch it up with Mediterranean-inspired ingredients like kalamata olives, Greek seasoning, red pepper and feta. 

2. Explore New Cooking Methods 

If you’ve always done the same ol’ things with ground beef, it’s time to expand your horizons. This doesn’t have to take much effort, either. Ground beef makes a great pizza topping, a delicious filling for meat pies, a flavour-packed base for lettuce wraps or the perfect filling for portobello mushroom caps.  

3. Save Time with Ground Beef 

 Whole cuts of meat, like steak or chicken breasts, take considerable prep and time to cook. Ground beef is the mealtime superhero you need when time is a factor. Swap it in to stir fries or stews in place of steak or pork, or use it in a ramen-inspired soup in place of chicken. You’ll cut your cooking time in half—a major win on busy weeknights. 

4. Embrace the Big Batch 

Ground beef is a staple in big-batch cooking (see the aforementioned praise about freezing well). So, instead of just divvying up your bulk package of fresh ground beef for the freezer, pre-mix and form the beef into a batch of burger patties, meatballs or koftas. Or, if you have a couple of hours, make a hearty chili or cook the filling for shepherd’s pie (mashed potatoes don’t freeze well so leave that step for later) and freeze for another day. Then you’ll just need to thaw and either finish cooking or reheat. 

5. Think of Ground Beef as a Team Player 

Beef is the perfect partner in crime for all kinds of other things. It can be combined with other ground meats, like the trio of ground pork, veal and beef used traditionally to make moist flavourful tourtière and meatballs. Add pulses like lentils to your ground beef as a way to add fibre when making Bolognese sauce. And of course, there’s no better pairing for ground beef than cheese. That’s a match made in kitchen heaven. 

The bottom line is, ground beef can be so much more than you might have originally thought. It just takes a little outside of the burger thinking.

For more practical tips and facts about beef when it comes to buying and cooking know-how, visit our digital hub: EAT WELL. LIVE WELL.