Ground beef (minced beef)

Ground beef / minced beef

Flavor and role

15-20% fat keeps stir-fries and sauces juicy. Too lean and it turns dry.

Typical dishes and uses

Bolognese, lasagna, shepherd's pie and moussaka, tacos, empanadas, hamburger patties.

Substitutes

Half ground pork, ground lamb, or plant-based mince 1:1.

Storage

Use within 1-2 days refrigerated. Freeze 3-4 months. Always cook through (71°C).

Main countries

United States · Italy · Korea

Used in this book

MoussakaBeef EmpanadasMince and Cheese PieLasagna SoupBolognese (Ragù alla Bolognese)Albóndigas en Salsa (Spanish Meatballs in Sauce)Aloo KeemaAussie Meat PieBakso (Indonesian Beef Meatball Soup)Bandeja PaisaBibimbapBobotieCampfire Skillet NachosChapli KebabChatamariChili con CarneHome-Style Döner KebabFataya (Senegalese Beef Turnovers)HawawshiJamaican Beef PattiesKarnıyarık (Turkish Stuffed Eggplant)Kefta TagineKhinkaliBaked Kibbeh (Kibbeh bil Sanieh)Kjøttkaker (Norwegian Meat Cakes in Brown Gravy)Izgara köfteLahmacunLasagne alla BologneseMantiMeatloafMince and Cheese PieMutabbaqPastel de ChocloPuerto Rican PastelónPastitsioPelmeni (Russian Meat Dumplings)PicadilloPirozhki (Russian Fried Meat Buns)Seekh KebabSmash BurgerSwedish Meatballs (Köttbullar) with Cream GravyTourtière (Québec Meat Pie)Vetkoek with Curried MinceAlbóndigas in Saffron-Almond Sauce with PicadaAlbóndigas Bravas TraybakeAloo Keema Quesadillas with Green Chutney Crema (Pakistani × Mexican)Aloo Keema Puff Triangles with Mint Yogurt DipArancini al Ragù (Sicilian Cones)Meat Pie Loaded Fries with Puff Pastry CrumbleBeef Shank Broth BaksoBakso Laksa (Indonesian × Malaysian)Cheese-Stuffed Bakso Bakar SkewersCrispy Beef and Broccoli Rice-Paper DumplingsDolsot Bibimbap with Crispy Rice and Beef GochujangBibimbap Burritos with Gochujang-Lime MayoCrispy Bibimbap Rice BitesPanko-Crusted Bitterballen Ragout ToastieLamb Bobotie with GeelrysBobotie LasagneBobotie Puff Hand PiesRagù alla Bolognese with Handmade Egg TagliatelleMiso Bolognese UdonBolognese Cheese-Pull ToastieCheesy Keema Mini Bunny RollsCheddar Waffles with Beer-Braised Beef and Pickled Red OnionYapp Smash Burger with Mustard Onion JamChapli Kebab Cheeseburger with Mint MayoChapli Kebab Flatbread Pizza with Mint YogurtSoaked-Rice Chatamari with Timur Keema and Roasted Tomato AcharPicadillo Chiles Rellenos in Charred Tomato CaldilloGochujang Kimchi ChiliChili Mac and Cheese BakeCornish Pasty Hash Skillet with Puff-Pastry CrispsLamb and Beef Dürüm Döner with Homemade LavashDöner Pizza (Turkish × Italian)Crispy Döner Cheese Toastie with Garlic-Dill Yogurt DipCrispy Tortilla Empanada Pockets with ChimichurriKeema Escondidinho with Cassava Mash (Brazilian × Indian)Bulgogi Fataya with Gochujang Onion Sauce (Senegalese × Korean)Fataya Crunch WrapGitheri Chili con Carne (Kenyan × Tex-Mex)Goulash Melt with Dipping BrothHaleem Shepherd's Pie (Pakistani × British)Alexandrian Hawawshi with Homemade Dough and Tahini SauceHawawshi Cheese Quesadillas with Tahini-Lime CremaHawawshi Puff Pinwheels with Tahini-Yogurt DipOven-Braised Holubtsi with Smoked BaconHummus bil Lahme with Spiced Beef and Pine Nutsİskender Sigara BörekRough-Puff Jamaican Beef Patties with Braised Scotch Bonnet BeefJamaican Curry Beef Gyoza with Scotch Bonnet–Lime Dipping Sauce (Jamaican × Japanese)Jamaican Patty Crunchwrap with Mango SalsaBaked Cheese Curry with a Runny Egg (Yaki Curry)Crispy Japchae Rice Paper DumplingsCheesy Jollof Stuffed PeppersKafteji with Kefta and Homemade TabilKare-Kare Beef Puff Turnovers with Bagoong MayoLamb Karnıyarık with Pepper-Paste Sauce and Sumac OnionsKarnıyarık Flatbread Pizza with Garlic Yogurt DrizzleLamb and Beef Kefta Tagine with Saffron, Harissa and Cumin SaltKefta Tagine Tacos with Harissa Crema and Pickled Onion (Moroccan × Mexican)Kefta Tagine Crispy Rice Bowl with Lemon YogurtLazy Khinkali Noodle Soup with Peppery MeatballsKibbeh Smash Burger with Tahini-Garlic SauceCrispy Kibbeh Muffin Cups with Garlic Yogurt and PomegranateBeef & Braised Burdock Kimbap with Rolled OmeletteMitmita Butter Kitfo Bibimbap (Ethiopian x Korean)Kitfo Smash Sliders with Whipped AyibSunday Kjøttkaker with Brown Cheese Gravy and Mushy PeasWafu Kjøttkaker Rice Bowl with Grated Daikon and Ponzu (Norwegian × Japanese)Kjøttkake Sliders with Brown Cheese and Lingonberry Mayoİskender köfteGochujang köfte lettuce wraps (ssam)Smash köfte burgerKimchi Bulgogi Kumpir (Turkish × Korean)Lagman Ragù Pappardelle (Uzbek x Italian)Lagman Cheese Noodle BakeKimchi gochujang bulgogi lahmacunCrispy lahmacun bulgur bowlLapskaus Croquettes with Lingonberry MayoRed Wine Ragù Lasagna Soup with Lemon Basil RicottaBubbling Lasagna Dip with Garlic BaguetteLasagne Verdi with Homemade Spinach PastaKimchi Bulgogi LasagnaCrispy Lasagna CupsCheeseburger Lumpia with Burger SauceCrispy-Skirt Cumin Manti Gyoza (Uzbek × Japanese)Manti Puff RollsAuthentic Sichuan Mapo Tofu with Toasted PeppercornMastava Risotto with Cumin Beef and Dill Yogurt (Uzbek × Italian)Mastava Rice Fritters with Garlic-Dill YogurtBacon-Wrapped Beef and Pork Meatloaf with Balsamic GlazeKofta Meatloaf with Pomegranate Glaze and Tahini Yogurt (Levantine × American)Meatloaf Cupcakes with Mashed Potato FrostingCaramelised Onion, Seared Beef and Vintage Cheddar PieChilli Con Carne Cheese Pie with Jalapeño (Mexican × New Zealand)Mince and Cheese Pie Dip with Puff Pastry DippersBulgogi Cheese PieMince and Cheese Pie ToastieMoussaka Doria (Japanese Rice Gratin)Crispy Moussaka BowlKefta-Stuffed Msemen with Ghee LayersLazy Nikujaga Croquette Bowl with Crunchy PankoPanang Beef Cottage Pie with Coconut Sweet Potato Mash (Thai × British)Keema Pastel de Choclo (Indian-Spiced Beef under a Sweet Corn Crust)Pastel de Choclo Muffins with a Pino CentrePastelón with Alcaparrado Picadillo and Cheddar CustardBulgogi Pastelón (Puerto Rican × Korean)Pastelón Melt ToastPastitsio with Slow-Simmered Beef and Pork Ragù and Bay-Infused BéchamelKeema Pastitsio with Garam Masala BéchamelPastitsio Melt Toast with Cinnamon Beef and Béchamel CrustSiberian Pelmeni in Golden Beef BrothCheesy Lazy Pelmeni Pinwheel SkilletPhở-Spiced Beef Fried RicePicadillo a Caballo with MadurosCuban Picadillo Cottage Pie with Cheddar Mash (Cuban × British)Picadillo Smash TacosPirozhki Toast Pockets with Garlic-Dill Sour CreamCrispy Plov Rice Balls with CheeseKimchi Bulgogi Cheese Murtabak (Korean × Malaysian)Japanese Curry Beef Samsa (Uzbek x Japanese)Cumin Lamb Samsa Pinwheels with Garlic-Dill Yogurt DipSeekh Kebab Banh Mi (Pakistani × Vietnamese)Baked Seekh Kebab Scotch Eggs with Mint YogurtDouble Smash Burger with Caramelized Onions and House SauceBulgogi Smash Burger with Butter Kimchi and Gochujang MayoSmash Burger TacosRestaurant-Style Köttbullar PlateGochujang Rosé Cream Meatball Rice BowlSwedish Meatball Pasta BakeCrispy Smash TacosTourtière Korokke with Maple Tonkatsu Sauce (Québécois × Japanese)Tteokguk Cream GratinBaked Beef Yalancı Mantı with Brown Chili ButterMilk-Dough Vetkoek with Cape Malay Mince

Updated 2026-10-10