CookingLight diet CookingLight diet

MyPlate-Inspired Beef Recipes

February 25, 2013
Photo: Iain Bagwell
Enjoy our favorite MyPlate-inspired beef recipes, which use beef as a nutritious choice to incorporate more protein into your healthy diet.
Start Slideshow

1 of 39

Nutritious Beef Recipes

Photo: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Carne Asada Tacos with Avocado Pico de Gallo

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 MyPlate.gov.

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 39

Beef Tenderloin with Mustard and Herbs

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: 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.

3 of 39

Quick Beef Stroganoff

Photo: John Autry/Randy Mayor
View Recipe: 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.

Advertisement

4 of 39

Classic Beef Shish Kebabs

View Recipe: 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.

5 of 39

Beef Tenderloin with Cherry-Black Pepper Sauce

Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: 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.

6 of 39

Bulgogi (Korean Beef Barbecue)

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Bulgogi (Korean Beef Barbecue)

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

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 39

Beef Tenderloin Steaks and Balsamic Green Beans

Photo: John Autry and Randy Mayor
View Recipe: 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.

8 of 39

Beef Pot Roast and Gravy

Photo: Jamie Chung
View Recipe: 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.

9 of 39

Beef Carnitas Tacos

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: 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.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 39

Maple and Soy-Glazed Flank Steak

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: 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.

11 of 39

Caramelized Onion-and-Blue Cheese Mini Burgers

Photo: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: 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.

12 of 39

Beef and Bacon Pizza

Photo: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: 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.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 39

Espresso-Grilled Tenderloin Steaks

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Espresso-Grilled Tenderloin Steaks

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

14 of 39

Classic “Prime” Rib

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: 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.

15 of 39

Filet Mignon with Arugula Salad

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: 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.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 39

Steak Diane

View Recipe: 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.

17 of 39

Beef Soba Noodles with Spinach and Coconut-Curry Vinaigrette

Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: 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.

18 of 39

Sesame Beef Stir-Fry

Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: 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.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 39

Thai Steak Salad

Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: 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.

20 of 39

Grilled Steak with Fresh Mango Salsa

Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: 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.

21 of 39

Southwest Burger

Photo: Christina Holmes
View Recipe: 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

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 39

Seared Steaks with Red Wine-Cherry Sauce

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Seared Steaks with Red Wine-Cherry Sauce

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

23 of 39

Grilled Sirloin Steak with Mango and Chile Salad

Photo: Jason Wallis
View Recipe: Grilled Sirloin Steak with Mango and Chile Salad

For a more kid-friendly dish, substitute red bell pepper for the jalapeño in the salad.

24 of 39

Beef Noodle Soup

Photo: Iain Bagwell
View Recipe: Beef Noodle Soup

If you have the time, freeze the steak for 20 minutes prior to preparation for easier slicing.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 39

Flank Steak with Tomato-Balsamic Sauce

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Flank Steak with Tomato-Balsamic Sauce

This sauce is also tasty with sautéed chicken breasts or pork chops.

26 of 39

Spicy Steak Lettuce Wraps

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Spicy Steak Lettuce Wraps

Give traditional lettuce wraps a kick in the tastebuds with the addition of zesty spiced steak.

27 of 39

Steak with Lemon-Herb Pesto and Spinach Salad

Photo: Brian Woodcock
View Recipe: Steak with Lemon-Herb Pesto and Spinach Salad

Be sure to put some of the pesto aside for a later weeknight dinner. It's herbaceous flavor pairs well with beef, chicken, and fish.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

28 of 39

Brazilian Feijoada

Photo: Raymond Hom
View Recipe: Brazilian Feijoada

Feijoada (pronounced fay-ZWAH-da) is a delicious stew of pork and black beans that's traditionally served over rice with fresh orange slices. In Brazil, this dish is often served on special occasions, but preparing it in a slow cooker makes it possible to serve this rich dish on the busiest weeknights.

29 of 39

Herb-Rubbed New York Strip with Sautéed Peas and Carrots

Photo: Jason Wallis
View Recipe: Herb-Rubbed New York Strip with Sautéed Peas and Carrots

Bacon lends the peas and carrots in this dish a lovely smoky flavor.

30 of 39

Beef Tenderloin, Swiss Chard, and Caramelized Fennel Tacos

Photo: Brian Woodcock
View Recipe: Beef Tenderloin, Swiss Chard, and Caramelized Fennel Tacos

The chard makes a wonderful peppery, lightly bitter complement to the sweet fennel. Look for crema Mexicana in the supermarket dairy section or at ethnic markets, or substitute crème fraîche.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

31 of 39

Seared Steak with Braised Leeks

Photo: Jason Wallis
View Recipe: Seared Steak with Braised Leeks

If you want a more budget-friendly option, swap in some stemmed kale for the Swiss chard.

32 of 39

Braised Beef with Onion, Sweet Potato, and Parsnip

Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Cindy Barr
View Recipe: Braised Beef with Onion, Sweet Potato, and Parsnip

Revamp classic pot roast with parsnip and sweet potatoes.

33 of 39

Cremini Mushroom Meat Loaf

Photo: Jason Wallis; Styling: Missie Neville Crawford
View Recipe: Cremini Mushroom Meat Loaf

With over 17g of protein and ready in under an hour, this lightened-up comfort food is a filling and satisfying dish for any night of the week.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

34 of 39

Seared Steaks with Red Wine, Mushrooms, and Onions

Photo: Brian Woodcock; Styling: Cindy Barr 
View Recipe: Seared Steaks with Red Wine, Mushrooms, and Onions

Finished with a rosemary, onion, red wine, and mushroom sauce, these seared steaks are an easy entrée that pair well with blue cheese mashed potatoes and broccoli.

35 of 39

Chili and Coffee-Rubbed Eye of Round

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Chili and Coffee-Rubbed Eye of Round

In this deli-style roast beef, bold ingredients blanket the exterior of a lean but flavorful cut—eye of round.

36 of 39

Flank Steak Tacos with Slaw

Photo: Stephen Devries
View Recipe: Flank Steak Tacos with Slaw

We love the color and slightly bitter edge of radicchio, but you can sub shredded green cabbage for a milder flavor.

 

 

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

37 of 39

Stuffed Poblano Peppers

Photo: Brian Woodcock
View Recipe: Stuffed Poblano Peppers

Poblano peppers range in heat level from quite spicy to rather mild, and there's no way to know what you're getting until you take a bite. If your peppers are too hot, cool off with a dollop of sour cream.

38 of 39