7 Quick Beef Recipes for Busy Weeknights You’ll Love

Table of Contents

1. Beef Stir-Fry
2. Taco Salad
3. Beef and Broccoli
4. One-Pan Beef Tacos
5. Quick Beef & Vegetable Skewers
6. Beef Quesadillas
7. Savory Beef Chili

Busy weeknights often leave little time for elaborate cooking, but that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice flavor or nutrition! Here are seven quick and delicious beef recipes that are perfect for those hectic evenings. Each recipe is designed to be simple, satisfying, and easy to prepare, allowing you to enjoy a hearty meal without the fuss.

Beef Stir-Fry

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4

Stir-fry is a fantastic go-to for busy nights, and beef stir-fry is no exception! You can customize it with your favorite vegetables, and the high heat cooks the beef quickly, locking in flavor and tenderness.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb flank steak, thinly sliced
• 2 cups mixed vegetables (bell peppers, broccoli, snap peas)
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Cooked rice or noodles for serving

Instructions:

1. Heat sesame oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat.
2. Add the sliced beef and cook for 3-4 minutes until browned.
3. Toss in the garlic and mixed vegetables, stir-frying for an additional 3-4 minutes.
4. Drizzle with soy sauce and serve over cooked rice or noodles.

Tip: For extra flavor, add a sprinkle of sesame seeds before serving. Check out more stir-fry tips in this guide.

Taco Salad

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4

Who doesn’t love a good taco salad? Packed with protein and crunch, this dish is not only quick but also a fun way to get the whole family involved in assembling their own plates.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 4 cups lettuce, chopped
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup black beans, rinsed
• 1 cup shredded cheese
• Tortilla chips, for crunch
• Salsa and sour cream for topping

Instructions:

1. In a skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Drain excess fat, then add taco seasoning and water as directed on the packet.
2. In a large bowl, layer the lettuce, tomatoes, black beans, and cheese.
3. Top with the seasoned beef, tortilla chips, salsa, and sour cream.

Tip: You can substitute ground turkey for a lighter option. For more variations, visit this taco salad recipe page.

Beef and Broccoli

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4

A classic takeout dish that you can easily make at home! This recipe features tender beef and crisp broccoli in a savory sauce that’s perfect over rice.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb sirloin steak, thinly sliced
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, mix soy sauce, oyster sauce, and cornstarch; set aside.
2. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef and cook until browned, about 4 minutes.
3. Add broccoli and stir-fry for another 2-3 minutes.
4. Pour the sauce over the beef and broccoli; cook until thickened.

Tip: Serve this dish with steamed rice or quinoa for a complete meal. Check out this beef and broccoli recipe for more details.

One-Pan Beef Tacos

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4

When you want tacos but don’t want to dirty a million dishes, this one-pan recipe is your best friend. Perfect for a family meal or a casual gathering.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 1 can diced tomatoes with green chilies
• 8 small tortillas
• 1 cup shredded cheese
• Toppings: lettuce, salsa, and avocado

Instructions:

1. In a large skillet, cook ground beef until browned. Drain excess fat.
2. Stir in taco seasoning and diced tomatoes; simmer for 5 minutes.
3. Fill tortillas with beef mixture, sprinkle with cheese, and cover until melted.
4. Serve with your favorite toppings.

Tip: Use corn tortillas for a gluten-free option. You can find more taco ideas at Taco Bell’s official site.

Quick Beef & Vegetable Skewers

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4

Skewers are not only fun but also allow for quick cooking! You can use any vegetables you have on hand, making this a versatile dish.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb beef sirloin, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 bell pepper, cut into chunks
• 1 onion, cut into chunks
• 1 zucchini, sliced
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the grill or grill pan over medium heat.
2. In a bowl, toss beef and vegetables with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Thread beef and vegetables onto skewers.
4. Grill skewers for 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until beef is cooked to your liking.

Tip: Soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes before grilling to prevent burning. For more skewering tips, visit this grilling guide.

Beef Quesadillas

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4

Quesadillas are a crowd-pleaser and can be filled with just about anything! This recipe focuses on beef and cheese for a satisfying meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 8 flour tortillas
• 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend)
• Salsa and guacamole for serving

Instructions:

1. Cook ground beef in a skillet until browned. Drain and stir in taco seasoning.
2. Heat a separate skillet over medium heat. Place a tortilla in the pan, sprinkle half with cheese, add beef, and fold.
3. Cook until golden brown, then flip to melt the cheese fully.
4. Repeat with remaining tortillas and serve with salsa and guacamole.

Tip: Add veggies like bell peppers or spinach for extra nutrition! For more quesadilla ideas, check out this quesadilla recipe site.

Savory Beef Chili

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4

Chili is a hearty dish that can be made quickly! This beef chili is perfect for cooler nights and packs a flavorful punch.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 can kidney beans, drained
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 can chili seasoning mix
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Instructions:

1. In a pot, brown ground beef and drain excess fat.
2. Add onion and garlic, cooking until softened.
3. Stir in beans, tomatoes, and chili mix; simmer for 15 minutes.
4. Serve hot with cornbread or over rice.

Tip: Top with cheese and green onions for extra flavor! For more chili variations, check out this chili recipe collection.

These quick beef recipes are sure to make your busy weeknights a little easier and more delicious. With just a few ingredients and minimal prep time, you’ll have satisfying meals that everyone will enjoy. Happy cooking!

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