35 Leftover Ground Beef Recipes

Ground beef is one of those basic ingredients that you use in dozens of family meals. But if you’re anything like me, you always have leftover ground meat.  

But how do you use it up before it goes bad? The good news is: There are so many creative leftover ground beef recipes that can be whipped up quickly and satisfy the entire family. And yes, they go beyond burgers and tacos 😉

We’ve got some Korean-Mexican fusion, a legendary cheese Toastie and an interesting Tex-Mex poutine. Let’s get cooking!

Stuffed Pepper Soup

If you are a fan of stuffed peppers in the oven, you will fall in love with this slow cooker easy meals version in a bowl. Nothing says warm an comforting like hearty meat soup. Also try using canned beef for this recipe.

Ground beef Wellington

This version of beef Wellington uses ground beef rather than an expensive cut of steak. It’s a great option if you have leftover ground beef and want a Wellington.

Salisbury Steak Crockpot Meatballs

This recipe for Salisbury Steak Crock Pot Meatballs is not only easy but a crock pot recipe that is now a must have family favorite. 

Shepherd’s pie

Originally, this British classic was made with lamb, but it’s since evolved to include many red meats. Filled with ground beef, mashed potatoes, and vegetables, it’s a hearty, filling meal.

Swedish Meatballs

These Swedish meatballs are not the ones you’ll find at IKEA, though we love those too! These are warm and comforting and not drowning in sodium. Your heart and stomach will thank you.

Ground beef and potato pie

If you’ve got time (and thyme!) to waste, why not have a go at this beautiful pie? Filled with diced potatoes, ground beef, and vegetables, it’s a little time-consuming but all worth it in the end.

Bacon Cheeseburger Gnocchi Casserole

The perfect little pillows of potato gnocchi, paired with the salty bacon and hearty beef base, will satisfy the taste buds of the whole family. Serve it up with Zucchini in Sour Cream Sauce.

Easy Sliders For Crowd

When you have leftover ground beef and a slew of family and friends showing up at your door, it calls for one thing and one thing only: a batch of easy beef sliders.

Salisbury Steak

The tangy and rich flavor of the sauce is what makes this Salisbury steak second to none. And its very easy to put together even on a week night.

Ground beef ramen noodles stir-fry

This beef ramen noodle stir-fry recipe is one of my favorite ways to use up leftover ground beef. And the best thing is that it still tastes delicious reheated the next day!

Beef Stroganoff

This ground beef Stroganoff served over egg noodles has become part of my weeknight rotation. It is great served with a loaf of bread to dip into that rich, creamy sauce full of flavor.

Korean beef tacos

Korea meets Mexico in this interesting taco remix. With sriracha mayo sauce, caramelized kimchi and ground beef, these Korean beef tacos will make your tastebuds do back flips.

Ground beef meatloaf

The good old meatloaf. There are plenty of ways to cook this classic dish. This recipe utilizes only ground beef, but you can replace half with ground turkey for a leaner meatloaf.

Crunchy Taco Pie

Making this Crunchy Taco Pie is as easy as browning up some meat on the stove top, and layering the tasty flavors of your favorite taco fillings to make this a hearty, comforting meal.

Hamburger casserole

Another simple way to use up your leftover ground beef is with this one-dish hamburger casserole. The kids will be sold simply when they hear the word hamburger!

Taco salad

Here we have the taco salad, a good-old Tex-Mex classic.  For a heartier dish, you may use black beans. Don’t forget the taco seasoning!

Korean beef 

This Korean beef recipe is extremely simple to make; it only takes 15 minutes to prep! And it’s like an Asian flavor bomb in your mouth.

Air Fryer cheese & Beef quesadillas

I love seeing my children’s faces light up when I tell them I’m making quesadillas for dinner. This recipe uses Colby Jack cheese, but you can replace it with cheddar cheese or Monterey Jack. 

Ground beef potato croquettes

Here, we have an interesting Indonesian dish made of fried potatoes and filled with ground beef. They look great served as an appetizer for guests!

Mexican Picadillo

For a hearty, filling meal, I love preparing this Mexican Picadillo with ground beef and potatoes. It goes great paired with rice or over corn tortillas.

Tortellini soup with ground beef 

Soups don’t always look pleasing to the eye, but this tortellini soup with ground beef might be the exception. It’s a great option to warm you up on a cold winter day.

Ground beef lettuce wraps

Here, we have healthy little protein bombs with ground beef, sesame seeds and ginger garlic sauce. The crunchy lettuce adds a touch of freshness to this dish that I love.

Mongolian meatballs

Take your family on a trip to Mongolia by preparing these delicious Mongolian meatballs with ground beef. Forget store-bought meatballs; this is the real deal!

Ground beef banana stuffed peppers

The best thing about this ground beef stuffed bell pepper recipe is that it’s still delicious reheated. I love cooking it for a weeknight dinner and enjoying the leftovers the following day.

Cheesy hot ground beef sandwich

With a hoagie bun like the Philly cheesecake, this cheesy hot ground beef sandwich is inspired by the classic. But this recipe includes cream of mushroom sauce and cheddar cheese. 

Cheesy Keto Baked Meatballs

Smothered in a savory homemade marinara sauce, these cheesy baked meatballs are full of flavor and a satisfying keto-friendly dinner. Paired with a fresh green salad or low carb bread for a complete meal.

Sweet potato skillet with ground beef

This whole concoction is prepared in one pan, and it only takes half an hour to prepare! With ground beef, sweet potatoes, chili powder and diced chilies, this dish has a kick that is sure to wake up your taste buds. 

Ground beef lasagna 

How could I not include a good old lasagna on my list? This recipe mixes grated Mozzarella cheese, ricotta cheese, and grated parmesan cheese. Let’s just forget about the calories for now.

Ground beef teriyaki rice bowls

If you love your veggies, this recipe is a great way to use up your leftover ground beef. With broccoli, carrots, green onions and a homemade teriyaki sauce, it’s a healthy dish that pairs well with rice.

Easy Walking Taco Casserole

This recipe is a great go-to option when you’ve got 30 minutes to spare for dinner or need to make a meal ahead of time. 

Tex-Mex poutine

What happens when you put a Texan in Quebec? Well, you get interesting creations like this Tex-Mex poutine with shredded cheese, beef, and french fries. 

Ground beef Bulgogi

Usually, the classic beef Bulgogi is made with sirloin or ribeye steak that is marinated overnight. It’s not exactly traditional, but this recipe greatly facilitates its preparation by using ground beef. 

Grilled cheese Sloppy Joes

There’s nothing like a good old grilled cheese Toastie for a snack, and this one takes it to another level. With ground beef, cheese, and a delicious homemade sauce, it’s a snack that will please both kids and adults.

Cheeseburger biscuit cups

These fun little cheeseburger biscuit cups contain Velveeta cheese and ground beef. I guess you could call it finger food on steroids!

Chili Mac 

This tasty, filling dish only takes 15 minutes to prep, so it’s a great option to add to your weeknight rotation. I bet you the kids will love it too.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ground Beef

How long does leftover ground beef last in the fridge?

Generally, leftover ground beef will last about 3 to 4 days in your refrigerator. Remember, this is if you’re storing it properly in an airtight container. With that said, here are a few more things to keep in mind.

• Store your ground beef at 40°F (4°C). This prevents growth of bacteria. And yes, bacteria is what causes food poisoning. And no one wants that.
• If you’re not sure if your ground beef has gone bad, there are a few tell-tale signs that it’s past its prime: it smells sour or just off, the texture is slimy, or the color looks almost shiny.

What can I do with excess fat from ground beef?

This is a great question! Everyone knows, at least we hope so, that it’s not good to pour animal fat down the sick. It causes what is known as FOG, which stands for fat, oil, and grease. It clogs up pipes and is bad for sewers. 

So if you’re draining the excess fat from ground beef and have it sitting in a bowl or jar, what can you do with it besides throwing it in the trash? The best use for excess fat is to make your own beef tallow. Essentially, beef tallow is the fat leftover from rendered beef, once it’s congealed. Beef tallow is good for a variety of uses. 

1. Just like people use bacon or fat grease, you can use beef tallow for high heat cooking.
2. Baking savory pies such as chicken pot pie or shepherd’s pie.
3. As a replacement for vegetable oil.

Have questions or suggestions about these leftover ground beef recipes? Leave them in the comments below.

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