MEAL PREP! It sounds exhausting, doesn’t it? So, I like to keep it really basic. Like, really basic. I’ve learned that, to make actions a habit, keep them as simple as possible, in order to reduce the obstacles that keep them from being a reality. They might not be ideal, but they will be REAL. Which, in my opinion, is so much better than those energizing habits staying “ideas” or “shoulda/coulda/woulda” realm.
What I have been encouraging my patients, clients, and friends to do is to simply have a protein prepped for a number of different meals during the week. Then pair it with as many plants as possible throughout the week. For this one, It’s not like it takes terribly long to cook ground beef, but once you have it prepared and seasoned, meals come together SO quickly! ….whether for a family or just for yourself.
So, here’s the deal….
Season the beef very deliciously – but basically – so any other flavors you use will go with it. We want to create a foundation of a delicious protein for a number of meals. Two cups of finely diced onion will do…
Throw in (not violently;) 3 pounds of grass-fed ground beef…
…and 1 teaspoon kosher salt or sea salt. We want to season it lightly, not full force, that way we can control the flavor in whatever we use it in throughout the week.
And gently fold over medium heat! Depending on the size of pot you use, this will take about 20 minutes….
Once it’s done, let it cool and put it in storing containers. I store it 2 cups in each container (like freezer jars from Ball Jars), and I put 1 jar in the freezer, and the other 2 in the refrigerator for lunches and dinners that week.
Ingredients
3 pounds grass-fed ground beef
1 large onion (about 2 cups), 1/2 inch dice
1 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
Preparation
1. Heat a 6 quart pot over medium high heat. Add ground beef, onion, and salt. Let cook 10 minutes. Stir gently, breaking larger pieces into smaller pieces with the back of the spoon. Let cook additional 10 minutes or until ground beef is no longer pink.
2. Remove from heat and drain excess fat. Cool and portion for storing.
Notes:
– Don’t overwork the ground beef! Stirring or mixing too much makes the protein a lot tougher. – Uncooked ground beef can be stored up to 2 days in the refrigerator before cooking. Use it or lose it!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings Per Recipe: about 15
Serving Size: 1/2 cup or 2.5 ounces
Nutritional Information: Calories 201, Total Fat 13 g, Saturated Fat 5.6 g, Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0 g, Monounsaturated Fat 0.0 g, Cholesterol 64.0 mg,
Sodium 188.7 mg, Potassium 35.3 mg, Total Carbohydrate 1.9 g,
Dietary Fiber 0.4 g, Sugars 0.0 g, Protein 17.1 g
Where are the 5 recipes you use the Batch-Cooked Ground Beef?
Hi Nancy! They are here: https://annessard.com/recipe/weight-loss-italian-beef-soup/
Nancy, the five are: Weight Loss Italian Beef Soup, Stroganoff Stuffed Portobellos, Easy Cheesy Spaghetti Squash, Korean Beef & Veggie Bowl, and Protein Cabbage Wraps.
I will link them for you here….;) The Korean Beef has not been posted yet but will be tomorrow. I have also been making them all on video on my Facebook page – just FYI:) Let me know if you have anymore questions!
Stroganoff Stuffed Portobellos:
https://annessard.com/recipe/stroganoff-stuffed-portobellos/
Easy Cheesy Spaghetti Squash:
https://annessard.com/recipe/easy-cheesy-spaghetti-squash/
Protein Cabbage Wraps:
https://annessard.com/recipe/protein-cabbage-wraps/
My aunt Janice posted one of your videos on Facebook, and now I’m hooked! I love your reasonable approach to nutrition and cooking. I had never thought of batch cooking ground beef. What a great idea! The only question I have is: Do you drain the fat off the ground beef before serving it? You didn’t mention anything about that, and my mom always taught me to do that, but I wonder if that’s best. TIA