Beef is a staple in every chef’s kitchen so we put together a list of our Top 10 Meal Prep Beef Recipes. Beef is a versatile protein that works well across cuisines and meal prep recipes as it reheats well and lasts in the kitchen. There are so many cuts of beef that there are endless possibilities. Beef is also a popular ingredient for meal prep as it’s easy to cook, making it a great option for cooks with less experience. It’s very forgiving and still tastes great!
Depending on how you prepare your beef, it can be very nutritious and filling. Lean beef is a great source of protein and can be a benefit to weight management as it fills you up fast without too much oil and fat. Make sure you get your ratios of beef to vegetables right and you’ll be enjoying your diet rather than dreading it.
Beef can also be very affordable. Sure steaks and different cuts can get expensive but ground beef is a great option that works in so many dishes and is very affordable.
1. Easy Beef Fajita Pasta Recipe
A comforting collision of two worlds, this fajita pasta combines traditional Mexican spices like cumin, cilantro, chili powder and paprika with a hearty and filling pasta. Sour cream (or yogurt) is added to give this pasta the creamy texture we all love in a pasta dish.
This recipe calls for flank steak but you can easily sub in chicken or shrimp if red meat isn’t your thing. You’ll cook each of these with the same process but cooking times will vary. The incredible versatility is part of why the Beef Fajita Pasta made it into our list of top 10 meal prep beef recipes. Plus it’s delicious.
Get the recipe:
Easy Beef Fajita Pasta Recipe
2. Ground Beef with Chayote Squash
This take on beef and vegetables is a good way to shake up your weekly meals. Although it uses the same ground beef as a lot of recipes, the Chayote squash and mix of spices deliver an entirely different experience from many of the recipes on this list.
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Ground Beef with Chayote Squash
3. Air Fryer Beef/Steak Kebabs
Air fryer steak kebabs are such a fun and great meal that you can enjoy with friends or family. Everybody loves eating food on a stick, especially kiddos! It’s also a great way to pack flavor and healthy ingredients together on a skewer.
Kebabs are traditionally cooked on a skewer over a fire or baked in an oven so that it can roast. Roasting is one of the healthiest ways to prepare your meals because it results in minimal losses of vitamins and nutrients. Air fryer and kebabs, what’s not to like, and that’s why this recipe made it on our top 10 list of meal prep beef recipes.
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Easy Air Fryer Steak Kebabs Recipe
4. Beef Taco with Jicama Tortillas
Tacos are a classic choice for beef recipes as they’re easy to put together and so easy to make variations of. The Jicama tortillas are a great low carb alternative to flour or corn tortillas and taste just as great. If you’re craving a bit of spice in your meal prep rotation we recommend trying this version of ground beef tacos.
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Beef Taco with Jicama Tortillas
5. Thai Red Beef Curry
We love a one-pot dish and this Thai red beef curry is definitely one of our favorites. By simmering the ingredients at a lower temperature for a longer period of time, you are able to break down the beef and make it super tender. The combination of sweet and heat flavors make this seriously delicious.
Curry’s are also great because you can throw in whatever vegetables you have on hand and make this meal even more nutritious. This recipe doesn’t call it for it but we do like adding in green beans or squash if we’ve got it on hand.
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How To Make Thai Red Beef Curry
6. Asian Lettuce Wraps with Beef & Fresh Basil
One of the meal prep hacks to making this dish truly tasty is by adding fresh herbs. Not only do they add a pop of color and freshness to your dish, but they also add an incredible depth of flavor. For this recipe, I highly recommend adding fresh basil to your ground beef filling. The combination of this fresh herb with the juicy ground beef and flavorful sauce is simply irresistible.
By using lettuce wraps you’re cutting out lots of calories. Plus, ground beef is a great source of protein and the addition of vegetables like bell peppers and onions adds fiber and important vitamins and minerals. And let’s not forget about the incredible flavors and textures that make this dish so satisfying.
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Asian Lettuce Wraps with Beef and Fresh Basil
7. Ground Beef & Broccoli Stir Fry
Beef and broccoli is always a popular combination and our Ground Beef & Broccoli Stir Fry recipe is healthy and affordable. This recipe works so well as a meal prep recipe as it’s portions easily, can be made in a big batch, and it’s flavorful. Follow our recipe for a healthy version of Beef & Broccoli that tastes just as good.
Broccoli normally has a strong flavor, which makes it one of the most “not so favorite veggies for many”, but adding them to this beef stir fry makes it easier to acquire a taste for it. Not to mention, the green colors really brighten up the dish giving it a great meal appeal.
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Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry
8. Ground Beef Cabbage Stir Fry
Another stir fry recipe made the list. This easy ground beef meal prep dish is full of vegetables and has a lot of great flavors using simple ingredients. There are several options for vegetables that you can use for stir fry. For this recipe, we used a mix of green and red cabbage, but you can easily add more vegetables such as sliced mushrooms, shredded carrots, and green beans. This healthy stir fry option is also keto friendly and a great addition to everyone’s meal prep routine so we had to add it to our list of top 10 meal prep beef recipes.
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Ground Beef Cabbage Stir Fry
9. Instant Pot Recipe – Beef Udon Noodles
If you’re looking for a new side dish to accompany your meal prep, give udon noodles a try. Udon noodles are chewy Japanese noodles made from wheat flour, water, and salt. They are thicker than ramen and soba noodles that you often find in Asian recipes.
They are often served in a simple broth or used in stir fry recipes. The great thing about this ingredient is that you can often find them already packaged and pre-cooked in the international aisles of the grocery store. This means no cooking is required! When it comes to meal prep, you definitely want to incorporate ready to eat ingredients to cut down on prep time.
Not only are udon noodles a great alternate to rice, udon noodles can be a healthy addition to your meal prep as long as they are portioned right and portioned with a fair amount of protein and fiber.
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Instant Pot Recipe for Beef Udon Noodles
10. Sautéed Ground Beef with Kale & Squash Rice Bowl
Rice bowls are delicious and versatile meals that can literally work with any combination of proteins and vegetables. The beef, kale and squash make for a hearty, healthy flavor that is also incredibly affordable. Rice bowls are also great for meal prepping as it’s easy to portion and reheats well, making it a great weekday lunch recipe.
This recipe can work with many different vegetable combinations so it’s a great recipe when you’re down to your last groceries in the fridge.
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Sautéed Ground Beef with Kale & Squash Rice Bowl
More about Beef:
- Versatility and Variety: Beef offers a wide range of cuts, cooking methods, and flavor profiles, making it versatile for meal prep. You can choose lean cuts like sirloin or tenderloin for healthier options or opt for fattier cuts like chuck or short ribs for more indulgent meals. You can experiment with different recipes, spices, marinades, and cooking techniques to keep your meal prep exciting and varied.
- Batch Cooking and Freezing: Beef is well-suited for batch cooking and freezing. You can prepare larger portions of beef-based dishes like stews, chili, or meatballs and portion them into individual containers for future meals. This allows you to save time and effort by cooking in larger quantities and having ready-to-eat meals in the freezer for busy days.
When meal prepping with beef, it’s important to consider the cooking and storage requirements of different cuts to maintain their quality and safety. Additionally, it’s recommended to choose lean cuts or trim excess fat for healthier options. Overall, beef can be a valuable ingredient in meal prep, providing flavor, nutrients, and satisfaction to your pre-prepared meals.
Looking for more meal prep beef recipes? Try our entire list of beef recipes that are perfect for quick and nutritious dinners.
