Ground beef is a versatile ingredient that can be used to make a variety of delicious keto-friendly recipes. From casseroles to meatballs, tacos to burgers, the possibilities are endless when cooking with ground beef on a low-carb diet.
This roundup features 20 of the tastiest keto ground beef recipes to give you ideas for easy weeknight dinners, meal prepping, or using up that package of beef in your freezer.
Why Ground Beef is Good for Keto
There are several reasons why ground beef is an excellent choice when following a ketogenic diet:
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High fat content – Fattier cuts like 80/20 ground beef provide a good source of fat to help meet your daily macros on keto. Going for 85/15 or leaner is fine too.
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Packed with protein – In addition to fat, ground beef offers a whopping 25-30 grams of protein per quarter pound cooked. This helps keep you full.
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Very low carb – There are zero net carbs in beef, making it perfect for keto. Be mindful of any carb-heavy additions.
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Nutrient-dense – Beef provides vitamins like B12, minerals like iron and zinc, and important amino acids.
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Budget-friendly – Ground beef tends to be relatively inexpensive compared to other meat and protein sources.
With its stellar nutrition stats, there’s no denying ground beef deserves a regular spot in your keto meal planning. Keep reading for 20 of the best recipes to make!
1. Keto Taco Pie
This easy taco pie makes an excellent weeknight dinner. Seasoned ground beef and cheese get layered between crunchy lettuce shells for a fun, low-carb taco alternative.
![Keto Taco Pie][]GET THE RECIPE
2. Keto Chili
Warm up with a big bowl of this keto chili made with ground beef, beans, and just the right amount of spice. It’s easy to make in the slow cooker or Instant Pot.![Keto Chili][]GET THE RECIPE
3. Keto Meatballs
These oven-baked keto meatballs are juicy, flavorful, and perfect for meal prepping. Enjoy them in low-carb marinara sauce or however you like.![Keto Meatballs][]GET THE RECIPE
4. Keto Stuffed Peppers
Make these easy stuffed peppers filled with ground beef, vegetables, and cheese. They can be baked or pressure cooked for a quick weeknight dinner.![Keto Stuffed Peppers][]GET THE RECIPE
5. Keto Lasagna with Zucchini Noodles
This keto lasagna swaps zucchini noodles for pasta and uses a mixture of ground beef and sausage in the meaty tomato sauce filling. ![Keto Lasagna with Zucchini][]GET THE RECIPE
6. Keto Tamale Pie
All the flavors of tamales are recreated in this simple tamale pie made with spiced ground beef, cheese, and a grain-free cauliflower crust.![Keto Tamale Pie][]GET THE RECIPE
7. Keto Sloppy Joes
These easy keto sloppy joes are made by sautéing ground beef in a homemade tomato sauce flavored with chili powder and Worcestershire sauce. Serve the saucy mixture piled high on low-carb buns.![Keto Sloppy Joes][] GET THE RECIPE
8. Keto Cottage Pie
A protein-packed take on shepherd’s pie, this comforting cottage pie uses cauliflower mash instead of potatoes for the topping over savory ground beef.![Keto Cottage Pie][]GET THE RECIPE
9. Keto Meatloaf
This keto meatloaf bakes up perfectly moist and full of flavor. Make it on a Sunday and enjoy leftovers throughout the week.![Keto Meatloaf][]GET THE RECIPE
10. Keto Cheeseburger Casserole
All the taste of a cheeseburger in easy casserole form! This family-friendly dinner mixes ground beef with veggies and melty cheese.![Keto Cheeseburger Casserole][]GET THE RECIPE
11. Keto Korean Beef Bowls
Flavored with ginger, sesame oil, and garlic, these saucy Korean ground beef bowls are delicious served over cauliflower rice. Easy to make and customize.![Keto Korean Ground Beef Bowls][]GET THE RECIPE
12. Keto Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole
Take cheeseburgers to the next level by turning them into this hearty keto casserole topped with crispy bacon. Kids and adults alike devour this recipe!![Keto Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole][]GET THE RECIPE
13. Keto Taco Salad
Build your own taco salad by topping crispy lettuce with seasoned ground beef, cheese, avocado, salsa, and more keto-friendly add-ins.![Keto Taco Salad][]GET THE RECIPE
14. Keto Skillet Lasagna
All the cheesy, saucy flavor of lasagna is recreated in this easy one-pan skillet version using zucchini noodles instead of pasta.![Keto Skillet Lasagna][]GET THE RECIPE
15. Keto Taco Stuffed Peppers
These fun stuffed peppers swap out rice for seasoned ground beef and cheese to create a handheld low-carb taco experience.![Keto Taco Stuffed Peppers][]GET THE RECIPE
16. Keto Hamburger Steak
These easy keto hamburger steaks are pan-seared until crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Quick to make and highly customizable. ![Keto Hamburger Steak][]GET THE RECIPE
17. Keto Chili Cheeseburgers
Fire up the grill for these juicy bacon chili cheeseburgers! Easy to throw together and full of smoky, cheesy flavor.![Keto Chili Cheeseburgers][]GET THE RECIPE
18. Keto Egg Roll in a Bowl
All the taste of takeout egg rolls in a quick and easy low-carb stir-fry. This sheet pan meal is a breeze to throw together.![Keto Egg Roll in a Bowl][]GET THE RECIPE
19. Keto Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
These keto stuffed cabbage rolls get their rice-like texture from riced cauliflower. They’re filled with ground beef and tomato sauce for a comfort food classic.![Keto Stuffed Cabbage Rolls][]GET THE RECIPE
20. Keto Salisbury Steak
Cook classic salisbury steak with onion gravy for a quick, saucy ground beef dinner. It’s made even easier by using frozen cauliflower rice. ![Keto Salisbury Steak with Onion Gravy][]GET THE RECIPE
Tips for Cooking with Ground Beef on Keto
Follow these tips for buying, preparing, and cooking with ground beef while on the keto diet:
- Opt for fattier blends like 80/20 or 85/15 ground beef to add healthy fats into your diet, unless you are limiting calories.
- Portion beef into one-quarter or one-third pound patties when freezing for easier thawing and cooking.
- Always thaw frozen ground beef safely – never at room temperature. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure ground beef reaches a safe internal temperature of 160°F.
- Cook just until no longer pink, to prevent overcooking. Drain any excess fat after browning.
- Boost flavor with salt, spices, herbs, garlic, onion, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, etc.
- Sauté veggies like spinach, mushrooms, peppers, zucchini, etc. right into ground beef recipes.
- Mix in low-carb ingredients like cauliflower rice, cheese, avocado, tomatoes, and pickled jalapeños.
With its stellar nutrition profile, affordability, and versatility, ground beef is one of the best ingredients to always keep on hand when following a keto diet.
These 20 tasty recipes offer healthy low-carb ideas for making the most of ground beef any night of the week!
3 Quick and Easy Keto Ground Beef Recipes
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