Easy Beef Recipes for Dinner that are high protein and you can make all year round with different cuts of beef in the Instant PotAir FryerSlow Cookerand more. Plusa guide with the best seasonings such as this keto taco seasoning and beef marinades.
Table of Contents
- 1 What’s beef and which animal comes from?
- 2 Consumption
- 3 Nutritional Content
- 4 What cuts of beef are the cheapest?
- 5 What cuts of beef are the most expensive?
- 6 Seasonings
- 7 Marinades
- 8 Ground Beef Recipes for Dinner
- 9 Easy Beef Stew Recipes
- 10 Steak Dinner Ideas
- 11 Slow Cooker Beef Recipes
- 12 Instant Pot Beef Recipes
- 13 Air Fryer Beef Recipes
- 14 How to Cook Beef
- 15 How Long to Cook Beef
- 16 Storage
- 17 Other Dinner Recipes
- 18 55 Easy Beef Recipes
What’s beef and which animal comes from?
Beef is a type of meat that comes from fully-grown bovine animals - Oxbullbuffaloor cow. The meat of young cattle is called veal!
Howeverthe term ‘beef’ may have a more narrow interpretation depending on the culture or religious belief such as in India where beef means cow meat.
Consumption
Beef is the third most widely consumed meat in the world (about 25%) after pork (38%) and poultry (30%).
Of courseits consumption may vary depending on the country. Australia has the highest consumption and is famous for its barbecue.
When it comes to productionThe United States is the largest producer followed by Brazil.
As for exportsBrazil was the largest beef exporter in the world in 2020 followed by Australiathe United StatesIndiaand Argentina respectively.
Nutritional Content
Beef is a source of complete protein and variant amounts of fatbeing a rich source of Niacin, Vitamins B12 and B6, ironphosphorus, and zinc.
The calories vary according to the cut of beefits amountand its fat content. But a 3.5-ounce (100-gram) serving of ground beef with 10% fat content has about
- Calories: 217
- Water: 61%
- Protein: 26.1 grams
- Carbs: 0 grams
- Sugar: 0 grams
- Fiber: 0 grams
- Fat: 11.8 grams
What cuts of beef are the cheapest?
Most of the cheapest cuts of beef come from the exercised parts of the animal. These tough cuts include flank steakchuck roastand round steak.
The cheapest cuts are usually tougher because they come from muscles that get a lot of use. In factany cut that fans out of the tenderloin (shankroundflankplatechuckand brisket) tends to be tough!
Howeverthere are ways to cook these tough cuts so that they are tender and delicioussuch as stewingbraisingand sometimes grilling.
Flank steak can be marinated and then cooked quickly at high temperatures to help make it more tender. Some of the best cooking methods to prepare some easy beef recipes like flank steak are grillingpan-searingand broiling!
Chuck roast can be stewed to produce a flavorful and tender roast while round steak benefits from slow braising.
Overallwith a little bit of careeven the cheapest cuts of beef can be made into a delish meal.
What cuts of beef are the most expensive?
There are several expensive cuts of beefmost of which come from the less exercised areas of the animal.
These tender cuts include the tenderloinwith the rib and loin containing the most tender cutsand are often considered the best cut of beef. Filet mignon is the most tender cut and comes from the center of the tenderloin.
Other expensive cuts include the ribeye and the NY strip steak.
The best cooking methods for these expensive cuts of beef are typically those that involve quick cooking at high heatsuch as broiling.
This helps to preserve the tenderness of the meat while still achieving the desired level of doneness.
When cooked properlythese expensive cuts of beef can be truly delicious and well worth the price!
Seasonings
When it comes to flavoring beefthere are a few different schools of thought. Some people believe that the best seasoning for beef is a simple blend of salt and pepperwhile others prefer to use more complex spices and seasonings.
Howeverthere is no right or wrong answer when it comes to seasoning beef to make easy beef recipes. It all depends on your personal preferences and the type of cuisine you're trying to create.
Salt and pepper are the classic seasoning duo that works with just about any type of beef. Whether you're grilling steakroasting a roastor simmering stew meatsalt and pepper will help to bring out the natural flavors of the beef.
Garlic is a versatile seasoning that can be used in many different cuisines. Beef recipes from Italy often call for garlicwhile garlic-infused oils are popular in Asian cooking.
When it comes to seasoning beefthe general rule of thumb is to season it for at least 30 minutes before cooking. This allows the seasoning to penetrate the meat and really impart its flavor.
Of coursethere are always exceptions to the rule. If you're in a hurryyou can get away with seasoning for as little as 10 minutes. But if you have the timeit's definitely worth seasoning for longer.
Seasoning the beef for longer not only will make it more flavorfulbut it will also be more tender and juicy.
So if you're looking to impress your guests with a delicious steak dinnermake sure to give your beef plenty of time for seasoning before cooking.
Marinades
The beef marinade is usually made with oilacidseasoningand herbs. The beef is marinated for a minimum of 3 hours or overnight. If the beef is toughit needs to be marinated for a longer time to tenderize and get more flavor.
The beef is usually marinated in a plastic bag or container. After the beef is done marinatingleave it at room temp for at least 20-30 minutes and then cook it. For easy beef recipesyou can either cook it on a grill or in a pan using different cooking methodswhich depends on the cut of the beef.
The beef can be served with grainsvegetablesor a simple salad.
Ready to check out our best beef recipes below?!
Ground Beef Recipes for Dinner
Ground beef is one of the most consumed types of beef around the world because it is easy to cook and relatively inexpensive.
It can be used in a wide variety of dishes and easy beef recipesfrom simple burgers and pasta sauces to enchiladas and lasagna.
The fat content of ground beef can vary from 1% to 30%which affects both its taste and its price. Leaner ground beef is more expensive than the ones with higher fat content.
Whether you are looking for easy beef dinner ideas or a hearty dish to feed a crowdground beef is an excellent option. Check them out:
- Instant Pot Ground Beef
- Gyro Meat
- Beef and Bulgur Wheat Cheeseburger
- Keto Cajun Dirty Rice
- Brazilian Hot Dog
- Spaghetti with Meat Sauce
- German Stuffed Meatloaf
- Potato Roulade
- X-Tudo Burger
- Vietnamese Noodles with Ground Beef
Easy Beef Stew Recipes
One of the best things about stews is that they are relatively easy to makewhich is why they’re featured in many easy beef recipes.
You don't need to be a master chef to create a delicious stew - all you need is a few simple ingredientsa liquidand a slow cooker.
The cuts of beef most commonly used for stews are tough and require a liquid and slow cooking methods to break down its fibers and tenderize the meat.
This is why stews are typically cooked over low heat for an extended period of time.
Some of the world's most famous stew dishes include beef stroganoffIrish stewand beef bourguignon.
So if you're looking for a beef dinner idea that will be sure to impress your guestsconsider making a hearty stew. Check them out:
- Irish Beef Stew
- Brazilian Beef Stew
- Lentil and Beef Soup
- Leftover Roast Beef Stew
- Pakistani Beef Stew (Nihari)
- Instant Pot Beef Massaman Curry
- Paleo Beef Stew
- Greek Beef Stew
- Beef Stew with Onion Soup Mix
- Vegetable Hamburger Soup
Steak Dinner Ideas
When it comes to steakthere are a few cuts that are particularly popular in the United States. The ribeye is a favorite for its rich flavorand the filet mignon is prized for its tenderness.
For those who are looking for something a little cheapera flank steak is a good option. Howeverit can be tough unless it is cooked properly. When it comes to beef dinner ideassteak is a classic choice.
You might be surprised to learn that the same cut of meat can have different names in different countries.
For examplethe American "sirloin steak" is known as a "porterhouse" in Australiawhile the French "entrecôte" is called a "rib eye" in America.
Moreoverthe American "flank steak" is known as a "London broil" in the UK.
So if you're ever feeling lost in a foreign supermarketjust remember that there are many easy beef recipes that can be made with whatever cuts of meat are available.
Whether it's grilledpan-searedor broiledsteak makes a delicious and satisfying meal. And with so many different cuts to choose fromthere's sure to be a steak that's perfect for any occasion.
Take a look at them:
- Grilled Flank Steak
- How to Cook Skirt Steak
- Filet Mignon
- Steak and Eggs
- Carne Asada Tacos
- Easy Veal Marsala
- Skirt Steak Flatbread
- Beef Brisket
- Picanha Roast
- Bistec Ranchero
Slow Cooker Beef Recipes
The slow cooker is the best way to cook tough cuts of beef because it tenderizes the beef as it cooksmaking it perfect for beef stewbeef pot roastand beef ribs. The slow cooker also retains the beef's natural juicesgiving it a delicious flavor.
In additionthe slow cooker is very easy to use. Simply add the beefa liquidand vegetables/aromatics to the pot and set it on low. The beef will be cooked to perfection in a few hours with little effort on your part.
So if you're looking for some delicious simple beef recipesthe slow cooker is the best option as you can see below:
- Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff
- Beef Oxtail
- French Beef Carrot Stew
- Slow Cooker Barbacoa Beef Tacos
- Slow Cooker Beef Ragu Linguine
- Smokehouse Style Slow Cooker Beef
- Pot Roast Sandwiches
- Slow Cooker Beef Enchilada Casserole
- Slow Cooker Beef Chile Verde
Instant Pot Beef Recipes
The Instant Pot is amazing for many reasons but one of the best is how quickly it can cook tough cuts of beef.
In less time than using other methodsyou can have a delicious and nutritious meal that would otherwise take hours to prepare.
The pressure cooking function helps to tenderize the meatmaking it easy to shred or cut into small pieces without hassle.
And if you're short on timeyou can also use the sautéing function to quickly cook ground beef.
This is a great way to get a healthy and hearty meal on the table in no time. So if you're looking for easy beef recipesbe sure to give the Instant Pot a try.
You won't be disappointed! Check them out:
- Instant Pot Chili
- Instant Pot Corned Beef
- Easy Ground Beef Stroganoff
- Instant Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta
- Instant Pot Beef Barley Soup
- Easy Pasta Bolognese
- Instant Pot Dilled Beef Pot Roast
- Instant Pot Beef Short Ribs
- Black Bean Pasta
- Instant Pot Hamburger Helper
- Pressure Cooker Korean Beef Stew
Air Fryer Beef Recipes
The Air Fryer is a must-have for all homes. Not only can it give life to a variety of great beef dinner ideas from chunks to steaksbut it can also replace the deep fryer as well as the ovenmaking cooking leaner and faster.
When it comes to ground beefyou can still cook it in the form of hamburgers or meatballs. In just a few minutesyou'll have perfectly cooked ground beef that's healthy and delicious.
Sotake a look at these easy beef recipes made in the air fryer:
- Air Fryer Steak
- Air Fryer Mongolian Beef
- Corned Beef in Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Beef Taquitos
- Air Fryer New York Strip Steaks
How to Cook Beef
- Regardless of the cut of beefremove the meat from the fridge for 10 (for ground beef) to 30 minutes (for beef chunkssteaksor beef ribs) before cooking. This will help the meat cook evenly.
- Otherwisesome parts will cook faster than others. NOTE: Do not wash the meat as it will not only contaminate the sink and nearby surfaces but will also remove some of the flavors from the beef itself.
- After removing the meat from the fridgepat dry steaksribsor beef chunks with a paper towel and season to taste. Use at least one teaspoon of salt for every pound of meat and enough ground black pepper to tasteas well as other seasonings.
- In these 10 or 30 minutes out of the fridgethe seasonings will penetrate the beefmaking it tastier.
- Choose the proper cooking method for your cut of beef or follow the recipe you intend to cook. Ground beef cooks faster (about 5-7 minutes) than other beef cuts (thinner or tender cuts cook faster than thicker or tough cuts). Beef stews call for a liquid (such as broth).
- Bone-in steaks take longer to cook than boneless steaks. But the meat is ready when the internal temperature reaches 140 degrees F (60°C)measured with a meat thermometer that does not touch the bone part. If it is overcookedit will be dry!
- After cookinglet the beef rest for at least 3 to 15 minutes (depending on the size) before slicing so that it retains its natural juices and redistributes them after cooking.
- During the resting timethe meat will continue to cook and increase the internal temperature. Beef is safe to eat when it reaches 145 degrees F (63°C). This is how you make easy beef recipes for dinner!
How Long to Cook Beef
The cooking time will depend on the cut of beef and its weight as well as the cooking method and its temperature.
But independently of those factorsbeef is cooked and safe to eat when it reaches the internal temp of 145 degrees F (63 degrees C).
Storage
Store beef leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat well before eating!
Love cheap protein recipes? Check out also these high-protein breakfast recipes without eggs and high-protein meal preps for lunch.
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- 20 Best Easter Dinner Ideas
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- 15 Birthday Dinner Party Ideas
PIN & ENJOY!
55 Easy Beef Recipes
Equipment
- 1 Air fryer or
- 1 instant pot or
- 1 slow cooker or
- 1 pan
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef steakbeef ribsor beef stew meat (depending on the recipe).
- Seasonings to taste such as this keto taco seasoning or marinade (depending on the recipe).
Instructions
How to Cook Beef:
- Regardless of the cut of beefremove the meat from the fridge 10 (for ground beef) to 30 minutes (for beef chunkssteaksor beef ribs) before cooking. This will help the meat cook evenly.
- Otherwisesome parts will cook faster than others. NOTE: Do not wash the meat as it will not only contaminate the sink and nearby surfaces but will also remove some of the flavors from the beef itself.
- After removing the meat from the fridgepat dry steaksribsor beef chunks with a paper towel and season to taste. Use at least one teaspoon of salt for every pound of meat and enough ground black pepper to tasteas well as other seasonings.
- In these 10 or 30 minutes out of the fridgethe seasonings will penetrate the beefmaking it tastier.
- Choose the proper cooking method for your cut of beef or follow the recipe you intend to cook. Ground beef cook faster (about 5-7 minutes) than other beef cuts (thinner or tender cuts cook faster than thicker or tough cuts). Beef stews call for a liquid (such as broth).
- Bone-in steaks take longer to cook than boneless steaks. But the meat is ready when the internal temperature reaches 140 degrees F (60°C)measured with a meat thermometer that does not touch the bone part. If it is overcookedit will be dry!
- After cookinglet the beef rest for at least 3 to 15 minutes (depending on the size) before slicing so that it retains its natural juices and redistributes them after cooking.
- During the resting timethe meat will continue to cook and increase the internal temperature. Beef is safe to eat when it reaches 145 degrees F (63°C). This is how you make easy beef recipes for dinner!
How Long to Cook Beef:
- The cooking time will depend on the cut of beef and its weight as well as the cooking method and its temperature.
- But independently of those factorsbeef is cooked and safe to eat when it reaches the internal temp of 145 degrees F (63 degrees C).
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
** Nutrition labels on easyanddelish.com are for educational purposes only. This info is provided as a courtesy and is only an estimatesince the nutrition content of recipes can vary based on ingredient brand or sourceportion sizesrecipe changes/variationsand other factors. We suggest making your own calculations using your preferred calculatorbased on which ingredients you useor consulting with a registered dietitian to determine nutritional values more precisely.
Please note that health-focused and diet information provided on easyanddelish.com is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advicenor is it intended to diagnosetreatcureor prevent disease. Consult with your doctor or other qualified health professional prior to initiating any significant change in your diet or exercise regimenor for any other issue necessitating medical advice.
Tammi @ My Organized Chaos says
So many great ideasthank you. Dinnertime will never be boring with these!
Denise Browning says
Thank youTammi! Thank you also for contributing to this post.
John / Kitchen Riffs says
Love beefand a lot of great ideas here. A LOT!! Thanks.