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35 Beef Recipes That Are As Versatile As They Are Hearty

Oooh, meaty.

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lo mein tossed with beef, diced peppers, and peanuts
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

Beef: It's what's for dinner (and thank goodness for that). With so many cuts to consider, these 35 beef recipes mean you could truly have a new hearty and filling meal every night of the month and then some. Especially if you've found yourself in an inevitable cooking rut (or reaching for the takeout menu), searing up a juicy steak, simmering some brisket for beef pho, or even just frying up ground beef for a burger will quickly liven up any weeknight.

No matter which cut you choose (even if you go the ultra-simple ground beef route), you can't deny how versatile beef is. And if you're new to cooking beef (or even just a little bit intimidated by it), it's way simpler than you'd expect. Some cuts like short ribs, beef tenderloin, and corned beef brisket benefit from slower braises and roasts (which means minimal babysitting), while steaks cook up fast and really benefit from keeping things super-simple. Speaking of steaks, every member of Team Delish has their own favorite, and we think each home cook should have a killer steak technique in their back pocket. Not sure which cut of steak to grill? We've got a guide to all the kinds of steak and how to cook them.

1

Churrasco

flank steak with chimichurri sauce
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLING: FRANCESCA ZANI

If you haven’t experienced one of the Brazilian steakhouses, known as Churrascaria, popularized in the U.S. or traveled in Latin America you can now experience the flavors at home with our homemade churrasco recipe. This smoky, grilled steak recipe, complete with homemade chimichurri, is the perfect summer dinner to impress, or to simply treat yourself.

Get the Churrasco recipe.

2

Oklahoma Fried Onion Burgers

cheeseburger with fried onions
PHOTO: BRYAN GARDNER; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

The very best fried onion burgers don’t come from any kind of fancy spot or burger joints (Tucker’s is as nice as it should get!), but instead, come from mom & pop shops and gas stations. Though everyone does things their own way, there are a few important components to this Oklahoma classic: the burger patties, the buns, and, of course, the onions.

Get the Oklahoma Fried Onion Burgers recipe.

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3

Beef & Broccoli

thinly sliced, velveted flank steak in a rich brown sauce with tender crisp broccoli
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

When we're ordering weekend takeout, one menu item always finds its way into the order: beef & broccoli. The combination of tender, seared beef and broccoli tossed in a garlicky, velvety sauce is practically impossible to resist. A quintessential Chinese-American dish, it's a classic that rivals orange chicken in terms of popularity—it's easy to see why.

Get the Beef & Broccoli recipe.

4

Best-Ever Italian Meatballs

italian meatballs with herbs, parmesan, and red pepper flakes
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: SPENCER RICHARDS

There’s an art to a great meatball. It should be nicely round, packed with flavor, and tender throughout. Making them from scratch is really easy and definitely beats anything you’d buy at the store. If you want a more hands-off approach, try baked meatballs!

Get the Best-Ever Italian Meatballs recipe.

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5

Oven-Baked Pastrami

oven baked pastrami sliced with a spice rub
PHOTO: RYAN LIEBE; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Brought to New York City by Jewish immigrants in the late 19th century, pastrami became iconic in restaurants like Katz's Delicatessen. Initially a preservation method, it evolved into a beloved sandwich staple, featuring spiced, smoked, and steamed beef, capturing the essence of NYC's diverse culinary heritage. It's a versatile cut of beef that can be used not only in a sandwich, but in so much more. Here at Delish, we’ve made kugel and casseroles (hello, Reuben casserole) with it!

Get the Oven-Baked Pastrami recipe.

6

Pepper Steak

steak with sliced red and green peppers
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Ready in just 30 minutes, pepper steak is the meal I find myself making again and again. Whether I'm feeling lazy, craving takeout, or need something simple and reliable, it's the stir-fry that always hits the spot.

Get the Pepper Steak recipe.

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7

Taco Lasagna

taco lasagna
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

This hearty Tex-Mex taco lasagna hits so many of the classic casserole notes: Cheesy? ✔️ Perfect for a crowd? ✔️ Flavor for days? ✔️ Great (greatest?) way to stretch a pound of ground beef? ✔️ The list goes on and on.

Get the Taco Lasagna recipe.

8

Best-Ever French Dip

french dip sandwich served with au jus
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

We think this French dip takes the cake. The secret? That jus! Flavored with plenty of onions, garlic, and thyme, you might wanna make double. If you're looking for ways to use up your leftovers, we suggest these mesmerizing French dip pinwheels!

Get the Best-Ever French Dip recipe.

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9

Kung Pao Beef Lo Mein

lo mein tossed with beef, diced peppers, and peanuts
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

Kung Pao chicken will always be a go-to recipe. It’s great with rice, but personally, we find it the most satisfying with noodles, so we created this recipe that cooks everything together. The tender, thinly sliced beef with a glossy, savory coating over noodles that soak up all that numbing spice and deeply rich flavor is an irresistible meal.

Get the Kung Pao Beef Lo Mein recipe.

10

Beef Tenderloin

beef tenderloin sliced on a white platter served with rosemary
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Special occasions call for special dinners, and beef tenderloin is truly special. While it may seem intimidating, this holiday roast is actually surprisingly easy to make and is the perfect centerpiece to your holiday (Valentine's Day dinner, anyone?) or dinner party.

Get the Beef Tenderloin recipe.

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11

Cheeseburger Casserole

ground beef, pasta, sauce and cheese in a casserole dish
PHOTO: RYAN LIEBE; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Do you ever find yourself standing in front of the fridge, wanting something cozy, comforting, and at once very familiar but a little out of the box too? You could make some cheeseburgers (always a crowd-pleaser) or whip up some mac & cheese (also a fan favorite), OR you could make the most wonderful, happy combination instead: this cheeseburger casserole.

Get the Cheeseburger Casserole recipe.

12

Italian Meatloaf

meatloaf covered in cheese and parsley surrounded by red sauce
PHOTO: MURRAY HALL; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

As Italian food enthusiasts, we had strong feelings when it came to developing this comfort food mashup. But the joke is on us because it’s ridiculously good. It’s tender, cheesy, garlic-forward, and rich with tomato umami. In short, it tastes like a giant meatball, and we're so here for it.

Get the Italian Meatloaf recipe.

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13

Creamy Steak Fettuccine

fettuccine tossed in alfredo with steak
PHOTO: PARKER FEIERBACH

Can’t decide between steak and pasta? Good news—you don’t have to choose with this creamy steak fettuccine. Paired with sweet cherry tomatoes, spinach, and a homemade balsamic glaze, this dish tastes like it took hours, when in fact it’s ready in as little as 30 minutes.

Get the Creamy Steak Fettuccine recipe.

14

Smash Burger Tacos

the ultimate comfort food hybrid with a crispy, juicy, thin beef patty, melty american cheese, and all the classic burger fixings loaded onto a toasted flour tortilla
PHOTO: RYAN LIEBE; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE

Here is the ultimate comfort food hybrid with a crispy, juicy, thin beef patty, melty American cheese, and all the classic smash burger fixings loaded onto a toasted flour tortilla. You’ll never have to choose between burger night or taco night again!

Get the Smash Burger Tacos recipe.

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15

Cheesy Taco Bake

ground beef and cheese baked over chips in a casserole dish
PHOTO: LINDA XIAO; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

If you love our taco lasagna, then get ready to meet a new staple in your weeknight dinner rotation: this cheesy taco bake. Instead of using tortillas, like we do in our lasagnchiladas, we're layering seasoned ground beef, cheese, and tomato-sour cream mixture on top of tortilla chips for added texture.

Get the Cheesy Taco Bake recipe.

16

Best-Ever Burger

best ever burger with pickles, onions, cheese, tomato, burger sauce
PHOTO: BRYAN GARDNER; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

There are about a million ways to top a hamburger, and we're not here to tell you what goes onto your patty. It is our duty to make sure that you're cooking burgers as best as you possibly can. Our golden rules: Be sure to let the meat come to room temperature and season generously with salt and pepper before you grill up.

Get the Best-Ever Burger recipe.

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17

Beef Stroganoff

creamy beef and mushroom mixture with egg noodles
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Whether you’ve had a long day or need a cozy dinner on a cold night, this is the recipe you should keep in your back pocket when you need something reliable. We’ve perfected the rich sauce deepened in flavor with red wine, Dijon mustard, and finished with tangy sour cream, tossed with the tender beef and noodles.

Get the Beef Stroganoff recipe.

18

Classic Chili

classic beef chili with sour cream and toppings
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: SPENCER RICHARDS

While many chili recipes call for simmering for at least an hour, our best-ever beef chili can be made in just 40 minutes. If you’re looking for the most classic version to come home to after a long day, then this is the recipe for you.

Get the Classic Chili recipe.

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19

Philly Cheesesteak Pasta

philly cheesesteak pasta
PHOTO: LINDA PUGLIESE; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

This cheesy pasta skillet combines tender skirt steak, sautéed peppers, onions, and mushrooms, and creamy provolone all in one pan, making it perfect for busy weeknights. The thinly sliced steak is cooked to perfection with a blend of Italian seasoning before being tossed with mushrooms, onions, and colorful bell peppers.

Get the Philly Cheesesteak Pasta recipe.

20

Steak Au Poivre Soup

a bowl of creamy soup filled with steak, crispy onions ,and potatoes
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLING: SPENCER RICHARDS

Steak au poivre is a French classic, typically made with filet mignon or sirloin steak covered in a creamy, peppery sauce. The sauce is downright drinkable and was made to be eaten with a spoon, so we thought—let’s soup-ify it! This soup is simple enough for a weeknight but impressive enough for date night.

Get the Steak Au Poivre Soup recipe.

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