Making delicious and nutritious meals may feel like a balancing act. How can you maximize flavor while also making sure you and your family are eating healthy? Luckily, there’s a savory protein option that provides plenty of nutrition and flavor! Ground beef is a delicious, nutrient-dense protein that can be cooked and used in a variety of ways.

Is Ground Beef Nutritious?

Beef is a great source of protein with essential vitamins and minerals. As a single-source ingredient, just three ounces of cooked beef contain 50% of the USDA recommended daily protein value1! Beef, including ground beef, also contains healthy amounts of iron, zinc, vitamins B6 & 12, choline, phosphorous, niacin, riboflavin, and selenium. Each of these can help support different functions inside the body.

  • Iron helps the body utilize oxygen
  • Zinc helps support a healthy immune system
  • Vitamins B6 and B12 assist with brain function and provide the body energy
  • Choline assists in nervous system development
  • Phosphorous is necessary to build bones and teeth
  • Niacin is essential to support the body’s metabolism and energy production
  • Riboflavin helps turn food into fuel the body uses
  • Selenium protects cells from damage

To put it in perspective, you would need to eat eight ounces of cooked chicken breast to enjoy the same amount of iron in just a three-ounce serving of cooked beef, and almost seven times that amount of chicken for the same amount of zinc2.

thinkpure USDA Certified Organic and Natural* Ground Beef is sourced from cattle raised in the United States that are given no antibiotics or added hormones. Our products are minimally processed with no artificial ingredients or added ingredients, so you can enjoy all the nutritional benefits of beef with amazing quality and taste.

How To Cook Ground Beef

In addition to being a potent source of nutrients, ground beef is a versatile protein. Ground beef can be cooked in a pan or skillet on the stove top. Once cooked, it can be used as a topping, in a sauce, or in a soup or chili. You can also bake ground beef in the oven—a great option for flavorful casseroles, lasagnas, and more.

When creating your own custom blend for burgers, meatballs, and meat loaves, ground beef is the perfect choice. Starting with ground beef allows you to add your own blend of spices, seasonings, and other ingredients. Once formed, you can cook on the stove top, bake in the oven, or grill to your liking.

Browning ground beef prior to using it as an ingredient can help ensure its cooked to the proper temperature.

How To Brown Ground Beef In A Skillet

  1. Preheat your skillet to medium-high heat.
  2. Place ground beef in skillet and cook 5-6 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 160o

Tips for Browning Ground Beef

  • Starting with a heated skillet is recommended when browning ground beef. Placing ground beef into a cold pan will create steam as both the pan and meat begin to heat.
  • Be sure not to over-stir the ground beef as it browns. This will cause the ground beef to lose moisture. Wait until the ground beef has achieved a good sear on the bottom before gently stirring the ground beef in the pan.
  • You can drain the excess grease created in the pan from browning the ground beef using a strainer or other draining utensil and a heat-proof container. However, you want to keep a tablespoon or two to stir through the browned ground beef to fully retain the rich flavor and keep it from drying out.

However you choose to use ground beef, it’s recommended to always cook to an internal temperature of 160oF.

What Can I Make With Ground Beef?

Not only can ground beef be cooked by your method of choice, but it’s delicious flavor tastes great across a wide variety of cuisines and lifestyles.

Get started with Ground Beef Pitas with Curry and Cucumber Sauce. This recipe makes for a hearty lunch or dinner option that can customized to your specific tastes. Curry powder adds robust dimension to cooked ground beef nestled inside soft pita halves, topped with a tangy cucumber sauce. It can be easily paired with your choice of fresh vegetables like crunchy carrots or juicy tomatoes.

Explore our other posts on Certified Organic and Natural Beef products, then find thinkpure Certified Organic and Natural beef products in a store near you.

*Natural is defined as minimally processed, with no artificial ingredients.

1 The Nutrients You Need With a Taste You’ll Love. Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. (2013, May 19). https://www.beefitswhatsfordinner.com/nutrition/beef-nutrients

2 US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Nutrient Data Laboratory. USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 28 (Slight revised). Version Current: May 2016. Internet: http://www.ars.usda.gov/ba/bhnrc/ndl