MyPlate-Inspired Beef Recipes

Photo: Oxmoor House

Nutritious Beef Recipes

Cooking Light is working with the Partnership for a Healthier America and USDA’s MyPlate to give anyone looking for healthier options access to thousands of recipes that will help them create healthy, tasty plates. For more information about creating a healthy plate, visit www.choosemyplate.gov. Find recipes at http://pinterest.com/MyPlateRecipes/.

Getting enough protein is an essential part of healthy eating. MyPlate recommends choosing lean meats and ground beef that are at least 90% lean. Trimming or draining fat from meat and removing skin from poultry is also a great way to cut fat and calories.

First up: Just saying Carne Asada Taco with Avocado Pico de Gallo makes our mouths water. Squeeze fresh lime juice over tacos and enjoy.

View Recipe: Carne Asada Tacos with Avocado Pico de Gallo

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Beef Tenderloin with Mustard and Herbs

For this dish, grill the beef tenderloin first, and then coat it in the mustard and herb mixture for bright, fresh flavors. Serve with grilled polenta and a simple salad.

View Recipe: Beef Tenderloin with Mustard and Herbs

Photo: John Autry/Randy Mayor

Quick Beef Stroganoff

Make a classic family favorite in a fraction of the time. Best of all, this comforting dinner dish comes in at less than 400 calories per serving.

View Recipe: Quick Beef Stroganoff

Classic Beef Shish Kebabs

The trick with this shish kebab recipe is to cook the beef separately from the vegetables so nothing overcooks. You can prepare this recipe on a grill pan, but you’ll need to cook the kebabs in batches.

View Recipe: Classic Beef Shish Kebabs

Photo: John Autry

Beef Tenderloin with Cherry-Black Pepper Sauce

Entertaining? Pop the beef tenderloin in the oven as guests arrive, and make the cherry-black pepper sauce just before they're seated.

View Recipe: Beef Tenderloin with Cherry-Black Pepper Sauce

Photo: Randy Mayor

Bulgogi (Korean Beef Barbecue)

Bulgogi, beef barbecue, is one of the most popular Korean dishes. Serve over rice and lettuce for a complete meal.

View Recipe: Bulgogi (Korean Beef Barbecue)

Photo: John Autry and Randy Mayor

Beef Tenderloin Steaks and Balsamic Green Beans

We pair simply seasoned beef tenderloin with a flavorful sauté of fresh green beans, onions, shallots, garlic, and balsamic vinegar–all for under 250 calories per serving.

View Recipe: Beef Tenderloin Steaks and Balsamic Green Beans

Photo: Jamie Chung

Beef Pot Roast and Gravy

A classic pot roast with gravy is the “gateway” recipe to using your pressure cooker–it’s quick, and you’re rewarded with a hearty dish in a fraction of the time.

View Recipe: Beef Pot Roast and Gravy

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Beef Carnitas Tacos

These simple tacos are an ideal showcase for tender Beef Carnitas–tender, slowly cooked, inexpensive beef stew meat that will win you over with its great flavor and versatility.

View Recipe: Beef Carnitas Tacos

Photo: Randy Mayor

Maple and Soy-Glazed Flank Steak

Make use of a budget-friendly cut of meat by marinating in a rich Asian marinade, which serves double-duty in this delicious recipe.

View Recipe: Maple and Soy-Glazed Flank Steak

Photo: Oxmoor House

Caramelized Onion-and-Blue Cheese Mini Burgers

Small but loaded with flavor: Caramelized onions, blue cheese, arugula, and sirloin fill your mouth with sweetness and pungency.

View Recipe: Caramelized Onion-and-Blue Cheese Mini Burgers

Photo: Oxmoor House

Beef and Bacon Pizza

This meat-lover’s pizza is equally pleasing as a family dinner or for a casual party. For the best flavor, shred and grate the cheeses yourself.

View Recipe: Beef and Bacon Pizza

Photo: Randy Mayor

Espresso-Grilled Tenderloin Steaks

Try a new twist on the usual weeknight steak dinner. Pair with steamed veggies or a side of rice.

View Recipe: Espresso-Grilled Tenderloin Steaks

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Classic “Prime” Rib

This classic is all about technique–roast at a low temperature to ensure gently cooked meat with a medium-rare center. Keep the seasoning simple to allow the meat to star.

View Recipe: Classic “Prime” Rib

Photo: Randy Mayor

Filet Mignon with Arugula Salad

Arugula, a peppery salad green, makes a tasty bed for pan-seared steak. Asiago bread is a fitting accompaniment for a complete meal.

View Recipe: Filet Mignon with Arugula Salad

Steak Diane

This steak Diane recipe will impress your family and guests with very little effort. For an easy side of roasted potatoes, start with precut potato wedges.

View Recipe: Steak Diane

Photo: John Autry

Beef Soba Noodles with Spinach and Coconut-Curry Vinaigrette

"Bloom" the ginger, garlic, and curry powder by warming them in oil to round out flavors in this Asian-inspired, dinner dish.

View Recipe: Beef Soba Noodles with Spinach and Coconut-Curry Vinaigrette

Photo: John Autry

Sesame Beef Stir-Fry

Master the art of stir-fry with this beef-based, Asian-inspired dish. If presliced beef is not available, ask your butcher to thinly slice flank steak or boneless sirloin steak.

View Recipe: Sesame Beef Stir-Fry

Photo: John Autry

Thai Steak Salad

Lots of veggies and herbs pack this flavorful salad. It’s quick to prepare and would be delicious with grilled chicken or lamb, if you prefer.

View Recipe: Thai Steak Salad

Photo: John Autry

Grilled Steak with Fresh Mango Salsa

Ready in just 40 minutes, this beef-based dish uses mango salsa for an unusual blend of textures and tastes that will have you coming back for more.

View Recipe: Grilled Steak with Fresh Mango Salsa

Photo: Christina Holmes

Southwest Burger

Chile peppers and cacti are staple ingredients in Southwestern cooking. Here I mixed a sweet-smoky ancho chile paste with bottom notes of earthy cumin into the beef patty. For a condiment, I started with nopales (cactus paddles) to give deep green veggie flavor. Jicama adds hearty crunch, while lime juice and cilantro brighten it all up. -Tiffany Vickers Davis, Test Kichen Manager

View Recipe: Southwest Burger

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Seared Steaks with Red Wine-Cherry Sauce

Rich cherry sauce complements steak in this 40-minute dish.

View Recipe: Seared Steaks with Red Wine-Cherry Sauce