Alabama Cattlemen's Association

Easy, Delicious and Nutritious- Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.

No matter what your goals or resolutions are for this year, be sure to put lean beef at the center of your plate.

By Elesha Ergle, RDN

With 2021 gone, a lot of people are looking for ways to get healthier and stronger this new year. If those are the things on your 2022 wishlist, beef is here to help! Lean beef is touted for its high protein content, but did you know it’s also a great source of iron and zinc? Both of these minerals are essential components of a healthy body and immune system! So make this new year a new you by incorporating more beef into your meal plan.

Cold Days and Quick Meals

Short, cold days and a busy schedule means that you need something quick for you and your family. Beef It’s What’s for Dinner has a whole collection of recipes that are 30 minutes or less, helping your family get a healthy meal in a short time span. Try Beef and Asparagus Pasta Toss, and if you’re looking to cut the carbs, sub out with a low carb pasta made from vegetables like hearts of palm. Make a batch of Mongolian Beef using brown rice, to increase fiber content, or riced cauliflower. Both of these delicious meals are a great way to keep your family fed a healthy meal without overworking yourself or your pocketbook.

Meal Prep

One of the most difficult tasks of eating from home or taking your meals to work is planning. Making out a menu for a few days a week and spending a little extra time prepping can be a daunting task. Search for easy recipes and only make plans to cook on the days that your schedule allows, and make larger batches for take-to-work meals or weeknight leftovers. If you have your grill or smoker fired up over the weekend, cook an extra pound or two of lean ground beef to use throughout the week for various recipes like Spaghetti Squash with Meat Sauce, Sloppy Joes Five Ways, Chili, or On-the-Go Beef Tacos. Just throw your ground beef in a cast iron skillet and cook until 155 degrees and half your cooking for the week will be complete!

No matter what your goals or resolutions are for this year, be sure to put lean beef at the center of your plate. A serving of lean beef is about the size of a regular smartphone and has 25 grams of protein for only 175 calories!

For more recipes, nutrition information, or information on beef from pasture to plate, visit Beef It’s What’s For Dinner. Happy New Year from all of us at Alabama Cattlemen’s Association!

This article was funded by the Alabama Beef Checkoff Program. Brought to you by Alabama beef farmers and ranchers. Photo courtesy of BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com.

Handheld Meals for Families On the Go

By Elesha Ergle, RDN

It is that time of the year when we aren’t quite ready for summer, although in Alabama it could go either way, and we are tired of the cold. Spring forward into March with some new and exciting beef recipes. Beef is an excellent source of protein and iron and is a versatile staple that can create a wide variety of recipes to satisfy any time of the year. With spring activities beginning, quick and easy recipes are the go-to for a lot of families. If you’re burned out on the same old things, give these tasty ideas a try!

Will Travel for Beef

Travel sports parents everywhere know that one of the keys to not losing your mind (or spending all your money) is to be prepared for the weekend’s upcoming events. A tried-and-true staple for our family is all beef hotdogs that we cook ahead and put in a thermos to keep warm. Add buns and condiments and the whole family can eat without breaking the bank. Make up a container of Roast Beef and Veggie Wraps to add to your cooler and you will have a super satisfying on-the-go meal. For those cooler times, make some meatballs with sauce such as these Four Way Mini-Meatballs and keep warm in an insulated container, grab some sweet rolls and have mini-meatball sliders to fill you up. Don’t forget about all the delicious flavors of beef jerky and beef sticks that you can always keep handy to grab at any time.

Late Night Dinners

Homework, sports, jobs…how do you keep your family fed without running through the drive-thru every night? Plan ahead for the week by cooking up large batches of easy, reheatable foods such as a roast to make roast beef sliders, tacos, or quesadillas. Cook a large batch of ground beef that can be quickly seasoned for spaghetti or sloppy joes. Take advantage of your slow cooker and have these Tangy BBQ Sandwiches ready when you get home.

It is a busy time of the year! Take advantage of beef’s versatility, portability, and great protein to keep your family going. For more great recipes and information on beef from pasture to plate, visit Beef It’s What For Dinner.

Happy Spring from all of us at Alabama Cattlemen’s Association!

This article was funded by the Alabama Beef Checkoff Progam. Paid for by Alabama beef farmers and ranchers.

Beef Up the Holiday Season

By Elesha Ergle, RDN

The holidays are here! It is hard to believe that we are already in preparation for our Thanksgiving feasts. Thanksgiving may lovingly be known as “Turkey Day,” but every holiday spread deserves some beef! Beef is a versatile choice for the holidays providing high quality protein in a low-calorie package. Reach for some of these awesome ideas over the coming days and weeks.

Beefing Up Breakfasts

Many of us have overnight guests during the holidays, and we want to feed them more than a toaster pastry or bowl of cereal for breakfast. This easy Breakfast Scramble can be made ahead of time and cooked when your guests are ready to eat. If you have a house full of people with a variety of tastes, grab some mugs and a variety of ingredients for Beef and Egg Breakfast Mugs. Your guests can make their own creation to their liking and cook individually in the microwave.

Hors d’oeuvres

In many families the holiday meal isn’t at a regular “meal time,” and appetizers might be the key to keeping everyone from becoming hangry until the main course is served. Try some Corned Beef and Pickle Dip that’s a cinch to make and serve. Simple, easy, and loaded with flavor, these Flaky Beef Stuffed Pinwheels are a wonderful addition to your holiday appetizer tray. If you’re looking for something tasty and different for a football gathering or a “Friendsgiving” party, try these Cheeseburger Egg Rolls.

Beef Up Turkey Day

Yes, maybe it’s turkey day…but you can have your turkey and beef too! Bring some beef to the table with some amazing side dishes. Change up your stuffing with Beef Stuffing with Apples and Cranberries. Add new tradition to your table with this Beefed Up Mac and Cheese that will have the kids asking for more. If you really want to change it up this year, make beef the star of your Thanksgiving with this Classic Beef Tenderloin Roast with Cranberry Drizzle. This healthy recipe is certified by the American Heart Association and will bring flavor and nutrition to your table any time of the year.

The holidays are a great time to try new recipes and eat more beef with the company of friends and family! While it can be a time of over indulging and putting on added weight, lean beef can play a part in keeping your holidays fit. A 3-ounce serving of lean beef provides 25 grams of protein and only 173 calories! For more information on beef’s nutrition and health benefits, and to find out more about beef from pasture to plate, visit Beef It’s What’s For Dinner.

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Alabama Cattlemen’s Association!

This article was funded by the Alabama Beef Checkoff Progam. Paid for by Alabama beef farmers and ranchers.