Lately, there's been a lot of focus on plant-based diets and meat alternatives. What isn't mentioned enough is that it's okay if those diets aren't for you and that it doesn't have to be an either/or decision. There are even benefits to eating both plant-based products and meat.
Synergy effects like the Meat Factor, mean that adding ground beef to a chili actually boosts the amount of iron from the beans by 150%! Meat products, such as beef, remain a healthy choice that might make your cooking experience a lot easier and more interesting.
Beef is a versatile ingredient that can contribute to many different recipes. Whether you're on a budget, need easy meal prep ideas, or just love the taste, there are tons of things you can cook up with good old Canadian Beef.
Not only can you make flavourful meals like Vietnamese Pot Roast and Italian Beef-Stuffed Peppers, but with just a little bit of planning and creativity, you can also use the leftovers to create new and exciting dishes for the rest of the week, just by repurposing what you already have.
That's good for the environment and your wallet.
Big-Batch Beef
When it comes to ground beef, the easiest way to spice things up is by adding in some fresh ingredients. Whether it's onion, garlic, peppers, mushrooms or whatever else your heart (and stomach) desires, it'll really amp things up.
Cook up a big batch of ground beef on the stove-top with your fav additions and then use it to enrich soups and spaghetti sauces. Just because you had ground beef yesterday, doesn't mean you can't experience it in a new way today. You can also put separate portions away in the freezer to be used at a later time.
Recipe
Shepherd's Pie
Another tasty meal you can create with your leftover Big-Batch Beef is Shepherd's Pie. This classic beef dish has a great rep, and with the right ingredients, you can definitely perfect it to your liking. The mushrooms in this specific recipe help elevate the flavour!
Along with the beef and mushrooms, you'll also need additions such as dried thyme, beef stock, Worcestershire sauce and a finely chopped onion. If you end up with leftovers, you can reuse them to make a hearty one-pot skillet of Perogy Shepherd's Pie.
Recipe
Vietnamese Pot Roast
This meal is all about comfort. You'll need ingredients like a beef blade pot roast, fresh ginger root, minced garlic, teriyaki sauce, rice vinegar and soya sauce. This roast is great to pair with a delicious Asian slaw, the perfect cherry on top!
There's no such thing as "making too much," just use your leftovers to make a Vietnamese-style sandwich. Layer some beef and Asian slaw on a crusty bun or split baguette and voilà!
Recipe
Cheeseburger Roll Ups
This fun twist on cheeseburgers isn't just delicious and easy to make, it's also an ideal way to reuse any leftover from a previously cooked, big batch of ground beef.
Make sure you have some whole wheat tortillas on hand, as well as shredded Cheddar cheese, ricotta cheese and diced dill pickles. If you're looking to try something new, these are a drool-worthy alternative to classic cheeseburgers!
Recipe
Italian Beef-Stuffed Peppers
This is the perfect meal to whip up when you're running out of dinner options. To make these scrumptious stuffed peppers, you'll need some lean ground beef, eggs, minced garlic, cooked rice, tomato sauce, and of course, it wouldn't be Italian without Parmesan cheese! This might just become a new fam-favourite.
Plus, the remainder of the beef and rice mixture in this recipe can be used for future leftovers too... simply add them to a simmering broth for a super simple soup. Bonus!
Recipe
Roast Beef
When in doubt, a mouthwatering Classic Roast Beef dinner with gravy doesn't take a lot of work and is actually simpler to prepare than you might imagine. Once you learn to make this classic comfort meal, it’ll surely become a staple on your regular menu.
And once again, the options for leftovers are endless. The next day, you can whip up something good like Southern Beef Hash!
Recipe
Beef Chili
Chili is a typical go-to for many, so this meal is pretty safe when thinking in terms of leftovers! There are lots of ways you can customize this one.
To make mild chili, some ingredients you'll need are medium ground beef, diced onion, sweet red and green peppers, red kidney beans and shredded cheese. Enjoy your leftovers by turning them into Beef Chili Nachos. Lunch tomorrow never looked so good!
Recipe
Southwestern Pulled Beef
Another comfort meal, this Southwestern Pulled Beef requires a slow cooker. You'll also need boneless blade pot roast, crushed and whole tomatoes, onion soup mix and chili powder.
This is a perfect meal to have after spending time outside with the fam on a cold winter day. This warm feast is also kid-friendly, as well as generous enough for leftovers. A delicious way to utilize this beef for leftovers is by making some quick quesadillas!
Recipe
Beef Tacos
Before planning taco night, make sure you're prepared by cooking some Big-Batch Tex-Mex Beef in advance (you can also use Big-Batch Beef Chili). These beef tacos feature lean ground beef, chili powder, red bell peppers, onion and some small tortillas.
If you've made enough beef in your original batch, you can even keep some leftover tacos for lunch!
Recipe
With all of this time we're spending at home — cooking, eating, planning meals — it's important to keep in mind the impact of our food choices.
Repurposing the ingredients you already have to create original and impressive meals for the week is a great method to reduce food waste and keep your grocery budget down at the same time.
And Canadian Beef is a source of locally available protein that can be used in multiple ways that encourage a healthy diet.
Intentional leftovers are an easy route to explore different wholesome options without burning yourself out. When you create subsequent meals out of a single recipe, you're less likely to waste food.
So, stop reheating your leftovers and start repurposing them! Your tummy will thank you.
To learn more about Canada Beef, check out their website or follow them on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or YouTube.
Nicoleta Raluca Tudor | Dreamstime
