11 Delicious Keto Ground Beef Recipes

Ground beef is an economical and versatile ingredient that is 100 percent keto-friendly. In addition, red meat, especially organic and grass-fed beef, is highly nutritious and an excellent source of protein, vitamin B12, and iron.  

Here are 11 delicious keto ground beef recipes you should add to your meal plan rotation.

11 delicious keto ground beef recipes 

Ground beef is an ideal ingredient to prepare a hearty, low-carb meal that won’t raise blood sugar levels or interfere with fat-burning. 

While all these keto recipes can be prepared with lean ground beef, opting for meat with a fat percentage of between 20 to 25 percent will enhance the flavor and ensure you get plenty of healthy fats to maintain ketosis. 

Here are 11 delicious low-carb ground beef recipes. 

1. Easy Keto Cheeseburger Casserole  

This Keto Cheeseburger Casserole is one of the best and easiest ground beef recipes that will impress even picky eaters. 

Combine succulent beef with cream cheese, aromatic spices, and Worcestershire sauce. Top with an egg mixture, cheddar cheese, and heavy cream before baking to achieve a mouthwatering casserole dish. 

If you don’t want to fire up your oven, this recipe can also be used to make a keto cheeseburger casserole skillet. 

Simply combine all ingredients in a pan and cook until the ground beef is no longer pink and the cream cheese melts, blending all the flavors together into one delicious and creamy dish. 

2. Ketogenic Mini Burgers 

If you are looking for delicious comfort food without all the carbs, this Ketogenic Mini-Burgers recipe is a must-try. 

These mini-burgers are an easy keto skillet meal, perfect if you are short on time. Serve burgers in your favorite low-carb bread or place between crisp lettuce to create a healthy weeknight dinner that the whole family will enjoy. 

3. Keto Creamy Mushroom and Spicy Ground Beef  

This Keto Creamy Mushroom and Spicy Ground Beef recipe combines the rich, savory flavors of mushrooms and beef with a satisfying spicy kick. 

The addition of mushrooms and spinach makes this dish a delicious and nutritious dish, providing fiber, essential nutrients, and antioxidants.  

Serve with cauliflower rice or spaghetti squash for a wholesome and well-rounded keto dinner. 

4. Keto Meatballs 

These Keto Meatballs will quickly become one of your favorite low-carb recipes. 

These meatballs are perfect for making a mouthwatering keto meatball casserole or can be served with low-carb marinara sauce to create a delightful Italian-inspired meal. 

In addition to ground beef, this recipe calls for ground pork. However, you can also use ground turkey, which is a leaner alternative that still provides a great texture and flavor.   

5. Keto BLT Burgers 

This Keto BLT Burgers recipe offers classic BLT flavors by stacking a juicy and perfectly seasoned beef patty, crispy bacon, and sliced tomato on top of a lettuce base. 

These burgers are low in carbs and gluten-free, making them a delicious lunch or dinner option for those with wheat allergies or Celiac disease. 

6. Keto Tex-Mex Casserole 

Satisfy your comfort food cravings with this no-fail Keto Tex-Mex Casserole recipe. 

This keto casserole combines ground beef with the complex flavors of Tex-Mex seasoning and the subtle heat from pickled jalapeños. 

Take this meal a step further by using the same Tex-Mex spice blend to make Mexican cauliflower rice for a complete and flavorful low-carb dinner option.

Not only is this tasty ground beef casserole ready in 45 minutes, but it’s also a perfect option for keto meal prep. 

7. Keto Egg and Beef Breakfast Skillet 

Ground beef is a rich source of protein and healthy fats, making it an excellent breakfast ingredient that promotes satiety and offers plenty of energy throughout the day. 

This Keto Egg and Beef Breakfast Skillet is a quick and easy one-pan wonder. Made with ground beef, crushed tomatoes, eggs, and cheddar cheese, it offers all the flavors of a delicious breakfast spread while keeping the carb count to a minimum. 

8. Lamb and Beef Ketogenic Kafta 

Are you looking for a Mediterranean-inspired meal? Look no further than this Lamb and Beef Ketogenic Kafta recipe.

Combine ground beef and lamb with aromatic spices and fresh herbs to create a delicious and healthy dish perfect for any occasion.

Serve alongside low-carb tzatziki and roasted vegetables for a satisfying meal that won’t kick you out of ketosis. 

9. Keto Zucchini Lasagna

Traditional lasagna is high in carbs and unsuitable for those following keto. 

However, this Keto Zucchini Lasagna is a low-carb alternative that offers fabulous Italian flavor by replacing pasta sheets with finely sliced zucchini. 

What’s more, this keto lasagna can be stored in an airtight container for up to four days, making it a convenient and delicious meal prep option for busy weeks.

10. Keto Taco Peppers

Who says you can’t enjoy Taco Tuesday on a low-carb diet?

Stuff bell peppers with browned and seasoned ground beef to make Keto Taco Peppers, which are both flavorful and low in carbs. 

Topped with cheddar cheese and baked to perfection, this Mexican-inspired ground beef recipe won’t disappoint and might become one of your new favorite dinner options. 

11. Incredible Keto Chilli Recipe 

Make the ultimate comfort food with this Incredible Keto Chili Recipe. 

Traditional chilies contain beans, which are high in starches and carbs, which can quickly kick you out of ketosis. 

This keto-friendly chili con carne dish replaces beans with chunky vegetables, including bell pepper and celery. The result is a hearty dish that offers the texture and flavor of a traditional chili without the added carbs.  

Is beef healthy?

There is a common misconception that red meat is bad for your health. However, that’s not accurate. 

Beef, especially grass-fed and pasture-raised meat, is incredibly nutritious and provides essential nutrients, including B vitamins and zinc.

In addition, beef is one of the best sources of heme iron, which is highly bioavailable and easily absorbed. 

Research published in the Journal of Food Composition and Analysis found that beef contains significantly higher concentrations of heme iron than chicken or fish. This makes red meat an important dietary component to prevent iron deficiency anemia.  

This has been confirmed by a study published in Nutrients stating that individuals who consume the least amount of red meat are at the highest risk of iron deficiency. 

The authors also found that the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia was even greater in women with regular menstrual cycles, a major contributor to iron loss.   

Beef is also considered a complete protein, containing all the essential amino acids needed for muscle repair, growth, and overall body maintenance. 

Regularly consuming red meat is especially beneficial to individuals looking to maintain or build muscle mass, as well as individuals with higher protein needs, such as older adults or those recovering from major surgery. 

Additionally, beef offers an excellent balance of healthy fats and protein. This can help regulate appetite, reduce cravings, and support weight management.

Conventional vs. grass-fed, organic ground beef

Grass-fed beef originates from cattle with access to their natural habitat and benefits from a nutritious grass-based diet. 

In contrast, conventional grain-fed cattle are typically confined to large agricultural structures and raised on an unnatural diet of soy and corn. Grains offer more calories than grass, leading to faster cattle growth and higher profits.

Grass-fed beef has a better flavor profile and is nutritionally superior to meat from grain-fed animals. 

Compared to conventional beef, grass-fed options contain significantly higher concentrations of anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals.  

A study published in Foods investigated the nutrient content of grass-fed beef. It concluded, “Grass-fed beef contains higher levels of potentially beneficial bioactive compounds, such as omega-3 fatty acids, micronutrients, and phytochemicals, compared to grain-finished beef.”

Conventional cattle farming impacts the meat’s nutrient profile and affects the animals' health adversely. Grains are an unnatural food for cattle, often leading to health problems, which increases the need for antibiotics and other medical treatments.

In addition to choosing grass-fed beef, opt for pasture-raised and organic meat whenever possible.

To certify beef as USDA organic, farmers are not permitted to administer growth hormones or antibiotics and must provide cattle access to a natural environment. 

Additionally, livestock must be fed 100% organic fodder free of GMOs and pesticides and cannot be kept in overcrowded or unsanitary conditions.

Final thoughts

Grass-fed and organic ground beef is a versatile and highly nutritious ingredient that can be used in a wide range of delicious and healthy recipes. 

Some of the most popular keto ground beef recipes include Keto Cheeseburger Casserole, Keto Taco Peppers, Keto Tex-Mex Casserole, Keto Zucchini Lasagna, and Keto Meatballs. 

FAQ

1. Can I have ground beef on the keto diet? 

Yes, ground beef is an ideal ingredient for those following keto. Beef contains minimal carbs while offering plenty of healthy fats and protein. 

2. Is it important to eat organic beef?

Organic beef originates from cattle that had access to pastures and benefitted from a natural diet. This results in meat that contains significantly more nutrients and heart-health-promoting omega-3 fatty acids. 

In addition, organic beef isn’t exposed to antibiotics or pesticides, can’t be fed GMO-containing fodder, and must be kept in humane and sanitary conditions.  

3. What is the difference between regular and grass-fed beef?

Grass-fed beef comes from cattle that graze on grass and forage, resulting in more flavorful and nutritious meat. 

Regular beef often originates from cattle fed a diet of grains, which negatively impacts the fat content and nutritional profile of the meat.

4. What is the best way to cook ground beef on keto? 

The best way to prepare ground beef on keto depends on the dish you plan to make and your personal preferences.

Ground beef is a versatile ingredient that works well in casseroles and skillet dishes or can be used to make meatballs and burger patties. You can also pair ground beef with eggs to create a filling and satisfying breakfast meal. 

5. What are good keto-friendly ground beef recipes? 

There are many ground beef recipes that are low in carbs and keto-friendly, such as keto ground beef casserole, stuffed peppers, no-bean chili con carne, and ketogenic mini-burgers. 

6. Should I drain ground beef on keto?

Ground beef releases some fat during cooking, and those who follow keto should refrain from draining the pan to achieve a higher fat intake. 

In addition, retaining the ground beef fat adds flavor and helps keep the meat moist and tender. 

7. What fat percentage should ground beef have on keto?

It’s generally recommended that people who follow a high-fat diet choose ground beef with a fat percentage between 20 to 25 percent and avoid leaner options such as 10 to 15 percent fat content.  

Sources

1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S088915750291080X 

2. https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/9/2964 

3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10572853/