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Never run out of ideas with these 15+ keto ground beef recipes. Each one is easy to make, full of flavor, and guaranteed to keep you on track with your goals!
When we’re looking for an easy, reliable, and affordable protein option, I almost always turn to ground beef. Not only does it tick all of those boxes, but it actually tastes good and complements anything it’s cooked with.
I can say from experience finding easy and flavorful dishes that work on a keto diet can be a challenge. That’s why I’ve spent so much time creating thoughtful keto recipes.
To make sense of the numerous keto-friendly ground beef recipes I’ve created over the years, here’s a roundup of some of our favorites.
Table of Contents
Is ground beef good for ketosis?
Yes, yes, and yes! Ground beef is a fantastic protein choice for a keto diet, and here’s why:
- High protein and no carbs. One serving of 85% lean, 15% fat ground beef packs roughly 21 grams of protein and zero grams of net carbs.
- Nutrition powerhouse. Ground beef is rich in essential vitamins and minerals like iron, B vitamins, magnesium, and potassium, to name a few.
- And it tastes good. Ground beef soaks in whatever flavors it’s cooked with, so you can use it however you like, from keto taco soup to keto lasagna.
Healthy comfort food recipes
So many of our favorite comfort foods highlight ground beef as the star ingredient. Not only is it rich and juicy, but it adds a heartiness that’s hard to replicate in low-carb dishes.
- Air fryer hamburgers– Juicy, lightly seasoned burger patties made in minutes and endlessly customizable. I prefer mine on a keto bun with ketchup, crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, and big mac sauce.
- Keto chili– The ultimate bean-free chili, layered with flavor and made in one pot or slow cooker.
- Keto meatloaf– Trust me, the lack of bread crumbs only makes this meatloaf juicier. Plus, it’s topped with a sweet, tangy glaze that you’ll want to bottle and use all the time.
- Keto tacos– Flavorful ground beef in low-carb tortillas, cheesy taco shells, or made into a keto taco salad. I always top mine with avocados, pickled onions, and a dollop of sour cream, but that’s just me. You can also use my homemade taco meat recipe.
- Keto stuffed peppers– Filled with ground beef, fluffy cauliflower rice, and tons of melty cheese, you’ll never make stuffed peppers any other way.
- Zucchini boats– The perfect use for extra zucchini. I used ground turkey in this recipe, but trust me, it works just as well with beef.
- Taco bowls– Swap out the rice for cauliflower fried rice.
Ground beef casseroles
Casseroles are one of my favorite weeknight dinners, though they can often be heavy-handed on the carbs. Each of these keto ground beef casserole recipes are packed with protein and healthy fats, so you won’t even miss the carbs.
- Keto shepherd’s pie– Rich, meaty gravy and creamy mashed cauliflower topping, you’d never guess it’s only 3 grams of net carbs per serving.
- Keto pizza casserole– The best parts of pizza, all baked together in under 20 minutes with just 5 ingredients.
- Keto cheeseburger casserole– Made with real low-carb noodles and tons of melty cheese, my family can’t get enough of this casserole.
- Keto taco casserole– Made with 5 ingredients, including my homemade keto taco seasoning.
Italian ground beef recipes
Ground beef and Italian food go hand-in-hand. Unlike other Italian-inspired recipes, these omit the carbs and focus on the most flavorful elements: juicy ground beef and generous portions of gooey melted cheese.
- Crustless pizza– Let’s be honest: the crust is the least interesting part of pizza, which is why I love this crustless pizza version.
- Eggplant lasagna– Swap the lasagna noodles for tender eggplant slices and get the best elements of lasagna. Not a fan of eggplant? Try my zucchini lasagna instead.
- Keto spaghetti– Made with low-carb spaghetti noodles and homemade tomato sauce. If you don’t have keto noodles, use spaghetti squash noodles or make your own.
- Keto meatballs– My secret ingredient is swapping the bread crumbs for crushed pork rinds. Trust me, it works!
Frequently Asked Questions
All types of ground beef can be enjoyed on a keto diet, so which you choose will depend on what flavor you’re looking for. I recommend lean ground beef (“ground round” or “ground sirloin”) for stir-fries and casseroles, whereas fattier cuts (“ground beef” or “ground chuck”) are best for sauces and burgers.
The best meats for a keto diet will be those that are minimally processed and high in protein, like beef, chicken, fish, pork, bison, and lamb. I would avoid overly processed meats like ham and deli meats.
15+ Keto Ground Beef Recipes
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
- 1 1/2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 cup brown sugar substitute or allulose
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum
- 2 large green onions sliced
Instructions
- In a large, non-stick pan, add the sesame oil and place it over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Add the ground beef and use a wooden spoon to break it apart. Cook for 4-5 minutes, until no longer pink.
- While the beef is cooking, add the water, brown sugar substitute, soy sauce, pepper, and xanthan gum to a mixing bowl and whisk together.
- Once the beef is cooked, remove any excess liquid. Add the sauce mixture and let everything simmer together for 4-5 minutes, or until everything has thickened.
- Remove the pan from the heat and sprinkle with green onions.
Notes
Nutrition
Recipe collection originally published January 2022 but updated to include new recipes for your benefit.
