Beef Dishes So Good You'll Want To Make Them Every Day
It's undeniable: Americans love their beef. Whether it's burgers on the grill, a hearty stew in the in Instant Pot, or a roast slow-cooking all day and filling the house with all kinds of delightful aromas, a beef-centric meal is bound to bring everyone running for the dinner table.
If that sounds like your family, you're definitely not alone. According to the USDA, when the agency started keeping track of just how much beef Americans consumed per capita way back in 1909, they found that it reached its height in 1976, when each American could expect to eat an average of a whopping 88.8 pounds of beef each and every year. That's not quite as high these days, but Statista says that US beef consumption has been hovering between 25 and 28 billion pounds a year. That's a lot of burgers!
But what about those nights when you're feeling like you'd like something out of the ordinary? Or what if you want a comforting classic? Whether you're in the mood for something completely new or a new twist on an old favorite you haven't had in a while, let's talk about some beef dishes that will have you coming back to the dinner table over and over again.
Corned beef and cabbage
It's said that everyone's at least a little bit Irish on St. Patrick's Day, and when it comes to celebrating in the US, there's nothing that says "Irish" like our super simple recipe for corned beef and cabbage. While sure, it's absolutely delicious, it's not actually Irish — and you won't find it served in Ireland on St. Paddy's Day. In fact, as Smithsonian Magazine reports, beef, in general, isn't a popular part of traditional Irish food culture.
Even if you might have a hard time finding this dish in Ireland, you don't have to worry in your own kitchen. Corned beef does have a strong connection to the Irish immigrants who made America their new home in the 19th and 20th centuries, and that's close enough for plenty of diners.
Plus, there's good news! There's no need to spend all year looking forward to an annual corned beef and cabbage dinner, as you can definitely make it — and those lovely corned beef sandwiches — any time of the year you please!
Chateaubriand
Chateaubriand sounds incredibly fancy, and it is. This beef classic is the sort of dish you prepare when there's a special occasion to celebrate, but here's the thing: it's actually so easy to prepare that you can make any day into a special occasion, just because you feel like it.
We all need that sometimes, so check out our surprisingly simple recipe for this impressive-looking dish. Plus, if you like filet mignon, you'll absolutely love this. It's basically a piece of meat that's filet mignon before it's cut into individual steaks. Pricey? Sure, but you know what? You deserve to treat yourself sometimes, and this is the perfect way to do it.
Beef bourguignon
There's nothing that warms you up just right like a hearty beef stew. If you love that, you'll definitely love beef bourguignon. Think of it as a super fancy beef stew that's a staple in France. Don't let yourself get intimidated by its continental pedigree, as we have a brilliant recipe that's easy enough you'll want to put it on your regular menu rotation. At the same time, this recipe is still tasty enough that you'll imagine you're eating it in a Parisian café staffed by professional chefs. Even better, it's also not going to break the bank, because we also have some tips for some affordable substitutions that are actually going to work much better in the end. That makes it an all-around win.
Classic gyros
It's almost a guarantee that there's going to be someone at the dinner table who has something to complain about, right? Here's where our classic gyros come in.
The heart of this classic sandwich dish is thin strips of marinated steak and, while we highly recommend a traditional and simple tzatziki sauce, there's no end to the ways you can adjust this for the palate of your hungry, potentially picky, and eager-to-eat family. Oh, someone doesn't like onions? Just leave them off. No tomatoes for someone? Leave them off, too! Someone likes it spicy? Add some jalapenos. That's only the beginning. Trust us when we say that there are plenty of ways to make sure everyone will be happy with these beef gyros.
Instant Pot ribs
There are a lot of reasons to look forward to summer and barbecue is definitely one of them. Whether it's on the grill or in the smoker, there's nothing quite like barbecue ribs with a side of corn and fresh coleslaw.
There's good news here, too — you don't have to wait until summer, thanks to our barbecue ribs recipe and a little help from one of the greatest kitchen gadgets of the modern era: the Instant Pot. Because honestly? Modern science and technology have taken away a lot of the unknowns in the world around us, and so the Instant Pot is about as close to magic as we can ever hope to get.
And so are these ribs. Sure, they might not be 100 percent like you'd expect to get from the backyard barbecue, but they're definitely good enough that you can close your eyes and pretend.
Swedish meatballs
It's no secret that there are not enough hours in the day to get everything done. Therefore, any time we can streamline the cooking process, including breaking out the slow-cooker, and still get a hot and delicious meal on the table, it's a total win. That's exactly what our Swedish meatballs recipe promises and delivers.
It'll take just about 15 minutes of prep time in the morning — and no trip to IKEA — to get these delicious meatballs on the dinner table. What you decide to pair with them is up to you, but it's totally worth picking up your own jars of lingonberry jam if you can in fact swing a trip to IKEA at some point.
Beef stroganoff
Mushrooms are one of those things that most of us know we should be eating more of, as they come filled with all kinds of good things like B vitamins and Beta-glucan (via Healthline). But there's probably someone in your house that just can't get past the texture of mushrooms. At the end of the day, you can't really blame them. Mushrooms are frankly a little weird.
Enter our delicious beef stroganoff. Assembling this dish isn't just easy, but it's filled with amazing, tender chunks of beef and covered in a sauce so good that it'll hide any of that questionable sponginess that might be putting off your mushroom-averse diners. Mushrooms, in fact, are a crucial part of that stroganoff flavor, and even the pickiest eater is bound to love this creamy, beefy, noodle dish.
Does it get better? Absolutely, as we have a couple of options for you. If you prefer your stroganoff with hunks of beef, try this easy beef stroganoff. But don't fret if you've only got ground beef on hand, because we've got you covered there, too, with our one-pot beef stroganoff. It's a win either way!
Sloppy Joes
Remember Sloppy Joes? We know, right? Somehow this childhood favorite fell by the wayside, and chances are pretty good that it's been a while since you've cracked open a can of Manwich, plopped some on a burger bun, and called it dinner.
Don't worry, that's not what we're suggesting — we've actually come up with a recipe for Sloppy Joes that's just a little more complicated than opening a can, and it has all the delicious, beefy messiness that makes this such a great dinner. Also, there's a bonus: it's such a strongly flavored dish that it's perfect for sneaking some veggies into your kids. It's a win-win — plus, they'll be making memories of their own.
Slow cooker pot roast
Pot roast is one of those dishes that goes back a long time and it can have a bit of a reputation as being a bland piece of meat. We absolutely changed that with this slow cooker pot roast recipe that uses a bit of wine and Worcestershire sauce for flavor first and secondly, to make sure your meat stays moist.
Bonus? It takes just around 15 minutes to get the meat prepped and ready to go, and then, it's hands-off until you're ready to reduce the sauce as much — or as little — as you like. Add some of your favorite veggies on the side, and you'll have the ultimate beef dish for those nights that just call for comfort food.
Carne asada
Carne asada is one of those things that really catch your eye when you see it on a restaurant menu, and as we've learned, it's super easy to make at home. Whether you're serving it on a bed of rice, in tacos, or in fajitas, ours is a simple beef recipe you can whip up faster than you might expect. If you skip the marinating, it'll be ready to serve in just half an hour.
There's another bonus to making it at home: you can make it as mild or as spicy as you like. It's also easier than you might expect to get that distinctive smoky flavor, and don't worry — there's no long smoking process necessary, just a little kitchen magic to get a very similar smoky flavor!
Soy-braised oxtail
Oxtail? Wait, hold on! Yes, oxtail! If you're unfamiliar with this particular cut of meat, don't let that stop you from indulging in this delicious recipe.
We love dishes that use some often overlooked cuts of meat, because the less we can waste, the better we feel about how we eat. Oxtail can be a little difficult to handle because it takes a long time to cook, but with help from a Dutch oven and a few hours of slow-cooking, you'll be shocked at how good it can be. Our soy-braised oxtaill recipe is chock full of flavor, and it's much easier to make than you might first think. Not to mention, it looks pretty darn impressive on the plate, too!
Salisbury steak
The mere mention of Salisbury steak might bring up images of TV dinners served on trays in front of Jeopardy, but that weirdly-textured slab of meat isn't what we're talking about. Done right, Salisbury steak can be a delicious dish that's nothing short of perfect on those nights when you're just craving a bit of comfort food. Even better, this is comfort food that's not going to come with regrets.
Our Salisbury steak recipe comes with the goodness of mushrooms and the kick of Dijon mustard and Worcestershire sauce. It all comes together to make something that's not the dreaded Salisbury steak of yesteryear's TV dinners.
Instant Pot beef stew
Beef stew is probably one of those things you might make more often if it was more convenient, right? It's the stew meat that's the problem, as it can be incredibly tough if it's not cooked for a long, long time. Honestly, who has time to keep checking the stove to make sure things are bubbling along just so?
That's where our Instant Pot beef stew recipe comes in. Usually, a high-pressure environment isn't a good thing for home cooks, but in this case, it'll let you turn beef stew night into something so quick and easy you'll definitely add it to your regular menu. Don't believe that you can get stew meat tender in just 15 minutes? You can with the Instant Pot, so go ahead. We all need a little more magic in our lives, and an Instant Pot is definitely that.
Mexican shepherd's pie
Right, let's clear one thing up right away: technically, we know that it's not shepherd's pie if it's made with beef. Shepherd's pie is traditionally lamb (hence, the need for shepherds!) while it's cottage pie if it's made with beef, according to Chowhound. That said, this mash-up of cuisines is so dang good that you won't care what you call it.
We're talking about our Mexican shepherd's pie, with a new take on a classic dish. Just imagine for a minute: some ground beef, seasoned and cooked with all your favorite taco flavors. Then, there are veggies like corn and onions, then some black beans, all topped with mashed potatoes. Do you love tacos, but have always wondered how you can mix up the presentation into something completely unique and still delicious? Look no further!
Beef and broccoli lo mein
Ordering Chinese takeout is a way of life, but let's be honest — it can get pretty pricey and we all know that it's not the best for our waistlines. We've totally solved both of those problems with our beef and broccoli lo mein, and if it sounds too good to be true, we're doubling down and telling you that it only takes about 20 minutes to get on the table. Takeout takes longer than that!
The centerpiece of the dish is, of course, the beef, and it's pretty versatile. You can use any cut of steak or even ground beef if you want, so there's no need to panic if you don't have something specific in the fridge. That, along with the super fresh broccoli, makes this recipe a guaranteed winner.