How to Cook with Ground Beef (Ten Recipes!)

Ground beef is the wonder food of the world! Not only is it inexpensive, it’s also one of the most versatile foods you can cook with. Ground beef works for appetizers, desserts and everything in between. It is the go-to food to fit every taste. What makes it even better is that people of all ethnic backgrounds have found amazing ways to prepare it. Because of that, the variety of flavor combinations possible are limited only by imagination.

Papas Rellenas

Papas rellenas is a Peruvian appetizer that really knows how to make an entrance. This tasty dish starts from mashed potatoes shaped into palm-sized balls. These balls are then filled with seasoned ground beef and fried in oil for the perfect crispness. The ground beef is usually flavored with onion and cumin. However, locale variations include black pepper, tomato paste, and even hard-boiled egg. Papas rellenas is a ground beef-filled frenzy of flavor packaged inside a fried potato. Now that’s an appetizer with decadence!

French Onion Beef Sliders

These appetizers are based on the French combination of caramelized onions and beef stock. When combined with ground beef, seasoned with Worcestershire sauce and topped with Gruyere cheese, the marriage of flavor is outstanding. The only problem with this ground beef recipe is not being able to stop yourself from filling up on them!

Beef Soboro

The combination of Asian flavors mixed with ground beef are what propel this main course to the forefront of tasty cuisine. Traditional Japanese seasonings, like ginger, soy sauce, mirin, and sake, are used. This delectable ground beef recipe is served over a bed of rice and garnished with an egg on top. Beef soboro is as beautiful as it is delicious.

Greek Meatloaf

Meatloaf is a family staple in just about every country. What sets this version apart is the brilliant way the addition of just a few ingredients can make it seem almost proprietary to the Mediterranean. It is that characteristic that makes ground beef such a versatile food. In this recipe, the addition of feta cheese, carrots, and Greek seasonings come together to transform a common meal into something worthy of Zeus himself.

Toltott Kaposzta

This Hungarian dish is an excellent example of ground beef’s versatility. In this recipe, it is paired with another meat, pork, to create one of eastern Europe’s most beloved meals. It’s not overpowering, but it doesn’t get lost in the other flavors, either. This stuffed cabbage dish is usually served over sauerkraut to give it just the right amount of everything!

Stroganoff

Russia introduced us to stroganoff over a century ago. Today’s version gives us a great example of yet another of ground beef’s endearing qualities. It has the unique ability to replace more expensive meats within a recipe. Fortunately, it does so without sacrificing the flavor or intent of that recipe. This sits well with anyone trying to cut costs without giving up taste.

Bierocks

Here’s a tasty ground beef recipe from Germany that is perfect for any occasion. Bierocks are very similar to a hamburger. Sweet rolls contain the tastes of ground beef, onion, and cabbage, an excellent combination of flavors. Even better, the rolls completely envelop the filling which makes them portable, and absolutely perfect for parties.

Cottage Pie

Many people mistake shepherd’s pie with cottage pie, but the difference is in the meat. Both dishes originate from Great Britain. However, it is cottage pie that uses ground beef with potatoes and cheese to make one of the world’s most well-regarded comfort foods. Sheperd’s pie actually uses lamb meat. Another great feature of this ground beef recipe is that a multitude of ingredients may also be added, creating a wonderful variety of unique flavors.

Rock and Roll Beef Wraps

Here’s a healthy spin on ground beef your whole family will enjoy. Hailing from the United States, this clever recipe adds the wholesome nutrition of quinoa to the tastiness of ground beef. The result is a delicious treat that’s easy to make and good for you, too. Additionally, the added kick of the ranch dressing mix gives this meal a real flavor boost.

Bolu Kukus Daging

Not everything has to be chocolate to be considered dessert. Take this ground beef cake originating from Indonesia, for example. The sweet soy sauce and spicy pepper combine with the beef to create the perfect cake topping. Add festive food coloring, and this recipe is sure to be a hit at any foodie birthday.