The Classic Beef Dishes You Need to Know How to Cook
Red Wine and Caramelized Onion Pot Roast
The magical dinner duo of meat and potatoes takes center stage in this classic roast beef entrée. Sear the roast in a skillet, then slow-cook with oodles of veggies, beef broth, and a bit of vino. In a rush? You can get this rib-sticking meal on the table in less than an hour with a pressure cooker.
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Bowl o' Red
Pick your path to make this popular beef dish your own. Our twist on Texas chili with ground chuck can be made on your stovetop or in the slow cooker. Whichever cooking method you choose, be sure to serve with a side of sour cream, diced onions, and some lime wedges for toppings.
Buy It: NESCO Steel Slow Cooker, $25, Target
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Corned Beef
It's not just for St. Patrick's Day! This brined classic beef brisket recipe is delicious any time. Besides serving alongside cabbage, try this corned beef recipe in sandwiches, potato hashes, soups, and casseroles.
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Ricotta Meatballs
Meet your new favorite party appetizer! You can prep a big batch of this classic beef recipe (we're talking 70 meatballs) up to a month before your bash, then freeze. Come party time, combine the fresh marinara and frozen meatballs in a skillet, then simmer until heated through. Now that's some no-sweat snacking. Or for an entrée version, stuff a few meatballs and some sauce inside a toasted hoagie bun.
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Beef Stroganoff
This creamy beef-topped pasta is one of our ultimate comfort food recipes. A bit of beef bouillon makes the classic beef stroganoff recipe taste like it cooked all day. It will be our secret that it takes just 30 minutes!
Test Kitchen Tip: Freeze the sirloin for 15 minutes before slicing to make it easier to trim thin bite-size strips.
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All-American Sloppy Joes
These slow cooker sloppy joes taste just like the meaty sandwiches Mom used to make, but with a hidden grown-up twist. The secret? Incorporating a can or bottle of beer into the sauce! A dash of hot pepper and a couple spoonfuls of molasses give the meaty sandwich filling a sweet-heat that totally makes this comfort food recipe worthy of our best beef dishes list.
Related: Our Favorite Kids Recipes
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Peppercorn Roast Beef with Herbed Yorkshire Puddings
A spice-rubbed roast beef is the ultimate holiday dinner centerpiece. (Or a centerpiece for any dinner you want to feel like Christmas!) Add a thick, savory gravy and a side of fluffy Yorkshire pudding and you’ll have a classic beef recipe that will have everyone asking for it again next year—or next week.
Buy It: Caplhalon Roaster and Rack, $105, Bed Bath & Beyond
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Vegetable Beef Pot Pie
Think of this rich-tasting recipe like a bed of classic beef stew hiding underneath a pillowy layer of dough. We love this make-Mom-proud pot pie because it seems party-worthy fancy but is surprisingly simple. That’s because the filling features some frozen and canned vegetables, and the top is semi-homemade thanks to refrigerated pizza dough instead of from-scratch biscuits.
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Meat Loaf
Try this ketchup-topped traditional meat loaf recipe for dinner tonight and you'll understand why a loyal BH&G fan has baked this classic beef dish for more than six decades straight. "I have been making this meat loaf since I was 10 years old, and I am now 75!" Yes, it's just that good.
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One-Pot Beef Goulash
Steak and pasta, plus plenty of tomatoes and carrots, shine in this classic beef stew. A couple teaspoons of paprika is the not-so-secret European ingredient that seasons this traditional goulash. While it tastes like it simmered low and slow for hours, this hearty entrée is ready to spoon in 40 minutes.
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Hearty Beef Stew
One pot. One pound of steak. One can of beef broth. Stir in heaps of vegetables and a few seasonings. The result after 90 minutes? One unforgettable classic beef stew recipe that produces six big bowlfuls of hearty goodness.
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Best-Ever Burgers
Two keys to the best burgers ever: Opt for 85% lean ground beef and don't overmix the meat. Brush the burgers with olive oil before grilling, then add desired toppings for results that are a homemade twist on the popular beef dish that’s way more mouthwatering than you'll find coming out of any fast food window.
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Beef Tenderloin Steak au Poivre
For a surprisingly doable (and quick) take on this fancy French steak technique, sauté pepper-crusted tenderloin steaks in a skillet, then deglaze the pan with broth, cream, and mustard. Bring the pan sauce to boiling to reduce, and spoon over the steaks. Then take off your apron, grab a fork and knife, and prepare to earn all the stars from your dinner critics!
Related: How to Choose a Steak
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Boeuf en Croûte
Don’t click away and convince yourself that this entrée is unachievable for home cooks. Start with frozen puff pastry to make this stunning classic beef Wellington simple enough for you (yes, you!) to make and enjoy on any Sunday. It's a showstopping recipe when sliced and served solo, but we recommend taking things to the next level with a drizzle of homemade Madeira wine sauce.
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Wine-Braised Brisket with Onions
To make this fall-apart tender classic beef brisket recipe an almost completely hands-off affair, marinate the meat in your slow cooker liner overnight in the refrigerator. Come morning, pop it into the slow cooker and simmer on low for 10 to 12 hours. Voilà: Your holiday-worthy yet weeknight-easy entrée is done.
Buy It: Reynolds Slow Cooker Liners, $3, Target
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Sirloin Steak with Spicy Balsamic Glaze
Just 20 minutes of marinating makes all the difference for this fast restaurant-quality sirloin steak recipe. Sweet apple cider, tangy balsamic vinegar, and umami Worcestershire infuse each bite with flavor. Since that same marinade combo is the starting point for the glaze, you need just six ingredients to make this popular beef dish.
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Beef and Barley Soup
So you’re never more than 30 minutes away from a big pot of classic beef-barley soup, we recommend making a big batch. Enjoy one portion now, then freeze two more for later. This hearty, high-protein, and veggie-packed dish makes enough to feed four at three separate, soul-warming meals.
Related: 38 Make-Ahead Recipes to Stock Your Freezer with Right Now