food
By Stephanie Cain
•
Published Feb 25, 2020
If you’re on the ketogenic diet, we’re willing to bet you’ve eaten a bunless burger a few thousand times this year—or at least enough to know you need a mealtime refresh. And while you want a change of pace, you’re also not entirely sure where to start. We get you: Sometimes you need some inspo for that pound of ground beef in the freezer. Here, 27 easy keto ground beef recipes for when you're sick of burgers, chicken and the rest.
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1. Crock-pot Paleo Chili
Healthy chili does exist, and it’s even more flavorful than the original. Oh, and this low-carb version requires just 30 minutes of active cooking time. You can leave the rest to your trusty slow cooker.
2. Cheesy Mexican Taco Skillet
Dinner’s ready in 20 minutes and it’s low-carb to boot. (Psst: If you're not a fan of cauliflower rice, you could use spaghetti squash instead or add extra ground beef.)
3. Beef, Spinach And Mozzarella One-pot Bake
Gooey mozzarella, meet saucy ground beef. On the off chance you wind up with leftovers, they’ll reheat like a dream and keep in the fridge for four days. (But they definitely won’t last that long.)
4. Spicy Beef Ramen
This cozy bowl isn’t just better for you (thank you, low-carb shirataki noodles): It tastes a million times better than takeout, too. It also happens to be gluten-free, just saying.
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5. Spicy Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps
Taco Tuesday called, and it wants a diet-friendly upgrade. The lettuce wraps are—dare we say?—tastier than any store-bought tortillas.
6. Lasagna With Zucchini Noodles
Where we’re going, we don’t need pasta. We do, however, need lots of bubbly cheese, savory beef and marinara sauce. We think you’ll agree.
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7. Breakfast Meatloaf With Bacon
Meatloaf for breakfast is totally a thing, and it’s surprisingly easy to whip up. Prep everything the night before so you can wake up and barely lift a finger while you sip your morning coffee.
8. Keto Swedish Meatballs
Tender meatballs in a rich, warmly spiced cream sauce? We knew those Swedes were onto something. These would pair great with a bowl of zoodles or spaghetti squash, if you can keep yourself from eating them right out of the pan.
9. Cauliflower And Ground Beef Hash
We’d happily enjoy this 25-minute, five-ingredient dish for breakfast, lunch or dinner, it’s that satisfying. Eat your heart out, scrambled eggs.
10. Cheeseburger Salad
No sad desk salad for you—not with all those glorious toppings. We promise you won’t even miss the mushy hamburger bun.
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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
11. Classic Stuffed Peppers
These cuties taste just like Mom used to make, but are surprisingly low-carb. (And they happen to be one of our favorite ways to eat our veggies.)
Get the recipe
12. Ground Beef Empanadas
Freeze these for quick weeknight snacks or easy, lazy dinners. The secret to that low-carb crust? Almond flour.
13. Hamburger Soup
Not only is it a one-pot meal that makes excellent leftovers; it’s also the best way to sneak in some extra veggies.
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14. Keto Cheese-stuffed Meatballs
Make this for lunch with a salad on the side and you’re golden. Besides, who can say no to a giant meatball? (That’s a rhetorical question.)
15. Healthy Swedish Meatballs
Not only are they keto, they're also Paleo, Whole30 and gluten-free. What more could you ask for in a one-skillet dinner?
16. No-bean, Whole30 Keto Chili In The Instant Pot
Do you have 35 minutes to spare? Yep, you can make this. (Bonus: It makes a bunch and easily serves a hungry crowd.)
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17. Korean-inspired Ground Beef And Kimchi Bowls
With very little effort, you can have a flavor-packed and diet-friendly dinner on the table. (We're talking 25 minutes, friends.) Store-bought kimchi is clever like that.
18. Easy Keto Lasagna Bake
Ditch the noodles. You won't even miss them with three types of cheese. (That’s mozzarella, ricotta and Parmesan for you.)
19. Low-carb Keto Sloppy Joes
We’re suckers for a lettuce wrap, and even more so for a freezer-friendly dinner. Make a double batch so you can have a quick meal ready in a pinch.
20. Taco Spaghetti Squash Boats
They’re filling, nutritious and easy enough to whip up on a weeknight. Just don’t skip the avocado and pico de gallo toppings; they’re the cherry on top.
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21. Easy Keto Korean Ground Beef Bowls
They’re as good as your go-to takeout spot, but so much healthier. The chopsticks are optional, but highly encouraged.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
22. Keto Guacamole Burger Bites
Wrapped in bacon and topped with avo? Even if we weren’t on the keto diet, we’d still have three. (They’re small, so it’s totally fine.)
Get the recipe
23. Keto Cheeseburger Helper
Just like the boxed stuff from your childhood, but a whole lot more diet-friendly. And we have a good feeling even picky kids will gobble it up.
24. Beef Enchilada Stuffed Acorn Squash
These low-carb squash boats taste as impressive as they look. It doesn’t hurt that they’re super-cute and take just ten minutes to prepare.
25. Best Ever Italian Meatballs With Creamy Tomato Sauce
They’re keto, Paleo, Whole30 and best served over a bed of low-carb zoodles. Make a bunch and stash them in the freezer for whenever you have a craving.
26. Easy Low-carb Paleo Meatloaf
It’s a classic for a reason, and now it’s on your diet. Instead of bread crumbs, this meatloaf uses coconut flour as a low-carb binder (so it won’t completely fall apart when you cut yourself a slice).
27. Buffalo Burgers With Buffalo Mayo
You had us at buffalo (and again at ready in 35 minutes). To make it a complete meal, serve with baked sweet potato fries on the side.
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Stephanie Cain
Freelance PureWow Editor
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