What to Substitute for Ground Beef When You Can't Find Ground Beef (2024)

FAQs

What to Substitute for Ground Beef When You Can't Find Ground Beef? ›

Ground Poultry

With a similar texture, ground chicken or ground turkey can be superb substitutes for ground beef. The poultry is a bit paler than beef, which can change the appearance of some dishes, but they still taste equally delicious.

Ground Poultry

With a similar texture, ground chicken or ground turkey can be superb substitutes for ground beef. The poultry is a bit paler than beef, which can change the appearance of some dishes, but they still taste equally delicious.

The most popular meat alternatives are traditional substitutes which include foods like tofu, tempeh, seitan, lentils, beans, and chickpeas.

Now available in supermarkets across the country, bison is unofficially the most popular red meat alternative to beef. It's known for its mild flavor and super-low fat and cholesterol content. A 3-ounce portion of cooked beef (trimmed) contains about 9 grams of fat; you'll see below that bison is much, much leaner.

Ground poultry may be substituted for ground beef or combined with ground beef in many recipes. The important thing is that it be cooked safely. Ground poultry patties, loaves or any combinations should be cooked to 165° F (73.9° C).

Pea protein, tofu, jackfruit, legumes, and grains are also common ingredients found in vegan meat. If you have allergies to gluten or soy, vegan meats made from pea protein may be worth exploring.

If labeled as a "Hamburger," it can contain all beef or beef and beef fat. Other permitted ingredients include dry seasonings like spices and flavorings. Water (and other liquids) and fillers (like breadcrumbs and flours) are not permitted.

Beans and Legumes

Cooked legumes such as beans, chickpeas, and lentils can be swapped for a lot of ground beef recipes. Buying canned or dried beans instead of meat can also save you money. In addition to protein, beans, and legumes are packed with health-beneficial fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

A pollotarian is someone who eats poultry but not red meat or pork products. People choose this dietary pattern for various reasons. For some, becoming pollotarian is a step towards becoming vegetarian, while others are more concerned about the health and environmental effects of eating red meat.

A: For the meaty ragu, vegan lasagnas can be made with a vegan meat alternative or simply with finely minced mushrooms and lentils. Crumbled tempeh works great too! For the creamy white sauce, the milk and butter can be replaced for non-dairy alternatives. Try soy milk and vegan butter instead.

How to substitute beans for ground beef? ›

The idea's simple: Replace half the ground beef in a recipe with beans. Yes, beans are a genius dinner move. They're super healthy, positively loaded with fiber and nutrients. They're a terrific source of protein, which means they make a smart substitute for meat if you're trying to cut back a bit.

“You're more likely to notice the different taste between ground turkey and ground beef if the meat is the primary feature, such as a burger patty, versus in a casserole. Most people can't tell the difference in mixed dishes,” Hueschen says.

Like beef broth, chicken broth is a kitchen staple and makes a good substitute if you are all out of the meaty broth. This savory, salty liquid has a milder flavor than beef broth but is a good one-to-one replacement.

Some popular options include soy-based, mushroom-based, and bean-based burgers. Soy-based burgers tend to have a texture and flavor that is similar to beef, making them an appealing option for those who are new to plant-based eating.

Place in a food processor the meat with a metal blade, taking care to process in small (no more than 1/2-pound depending on the size of your processor) batches.