Where's the Beef?

Back during the 1980s, there was a popular commercial that asked that burning question, "Where's the beef?" We even watched as little old women drove in their quest to find the beef.

While those old hamburger commercials may have long been retired, many people still enjoy beef for lunch or dinner. For those folks, here are six recipes you can sink your teeth into (without asking that infamous question), including Southwest Meatloaf and Bold Thai Burger. Enjoy!

BAKED BEEF EMPANADAS

Recipe Yield: Yield: Makes 20 servings.

Source: Lauras Lean Beef

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/baked-beef-empanadas

Ingredients

1/2 pound Laura's 92% Lean Ground Beef or 96% Lean Ground Round

1/4 cup finely chopped onion

1/4 teaspoon Cajun seasoning

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/4 cup canned low-salt yellow corn, drained

1/3 cup salsa

1 tablespoon tomato paste

20 wonton wrappers

Cooking spray

Salsa, low-fat sour cream (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 400F.

Cook ground beef, onion and next 3 ingredients in a large nonstick skillet 5 minutes or until beef is browned; drain. Add corn and next 2 ingredients and cook until heated through. Remove and let cool.

Working with one wonton wrapper at a time, spoon 1 tablespoon beef mixture into center of each wrapper. Bring 2 opposite corners together and pinch the points to seal, forming a triangle. Place wrappers on a wire rack and repeat procedure with remaining wrappers and beef mixture.

Place empanadas on lightly greased baking sheets and coat lightly with cooking spray. Bake 4 to 6 minutes on each side, turning once or until golden. Serve with salsa and sour cream, if desired.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 85; Fat: 1.5 g; Saturated Fat: .68 g; Fiber: .62 g; Sodium: 157 mg; Cholesterol: 10 mg; Protein: 5 g; Carbohydrates: 9 g

SOUTHWEST MEATLOAF

Recipe Yield: Makes 6 to 8 servings

Source: TBC

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/southwest-meatloaf.

Ingredients

2 pounds ground beef (95% lean)

1 cup soft bread crumbs

3/4 cup finely chopped onion

1/2 cup finely chopped red bell pepper

1/2 cup frozen corn, thawed

1/2 cup milk

1 egg

1 large clove garlic, minced

2 teaspoons salt

1-1/2 teaspoons chili powder

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/2 cup thick and chunky salsa

Directions

Heat oven to 350F. Combine all ingredients in large bowl except salsa, mixing lightly but thoroughly.

Shape beef mixture into 10 x 4-inch loaf on rack in broiler pan. Bake in 350F oven 1 hour,15 minutes to 1 hour, 20 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 160F.

Let stand 10 minutes. Top with salsa; cut into slices.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 280; Fat: 9 g; Saturated Fat: 4 g; Fiber: 1.8 g; Sodium: 313 mg; Cholesterol: 120 mg; Protein: 34 g; Carbohydrates: 12 g

CHILI CARNIVALE

Recipe Yield: Makes 8 servings

Source: TBC

View online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/chili-carnivale.

Ingredients

2 pounds Ground Beef (95% lean)

1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes, undrained

1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes with mild green chilies

1 can (14 to 14-1/2 ounces) regular or reduced-sodium beef broth

1 bottle (12 ounces) regular or light beer

1 medium yellow onion, diced

2 medium green, red, yellow or orange bell peppers, diced

1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste

1/3 cup chili powder

1 large jalapeno pepper, seeded, finely chopped

2 tablespoons minced garlic

1 tablespoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves

2 cans (15 ounces each) black beans, rinsed, drained

Lime wedges and baked tortillas chips (optional)

Toppings:

Sliced cherry tomatoes, sliced green onions, sliced serranos or jalapenos, chopped onion

Directions

Heat stockpot over medium heat until hot. Add Ground Beef; cook 8 to 10 minutes, breaking into 3/4-inch crumbles and stirring occasionally. Remove drippings.

Add tomatoes, beef broth, beer, onions, bell peppers, tomato paste, chili powder, jalapeno pepper, garlic, cumin and oregano to stockpot, stirring to combine. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Stir in black beans and continue to simmer 15 minutes or until thickened to desired consistency, stirring occasionally.

Season with salt and black pepper, as desired. Garnish with Toppings, as desired. Serve with lime wedges and baked tortilla chips, if desired.

Note: Cooking times are for fresh or thoroughly thawed Ground Beef. Ground Beef should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160F. Color is not a reliable indicator of Ground Beef doneness.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 318; Fat: 7 g; Saturated Fat: 3 g; Fiber: 7.5 g; Sodium: 955 mg; Cholesterol: 76 mg; Protein: 32 g; Carbohydrates: 28 g

ASIAN BEEF KABOBS

Recipe Yield: Yield: 16 appetizers

Source: TBC

Recipe and photo appears courtesy of Cattlemen's Beef Promotion Board.

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipe/asian-beef-kabobs.

Ingredients

1 pound beef Top Sirloin Steak Boneless, cut 1 inch thick

1/4 cup hoisin sauce

2 tablespoons dry sherry

2 teaspoons packed light brown sugar

1 teaspoon dark sesame oil

6 green onions, sliced diagonally into 1-1/2-inch pieces

Directions

Soak sixteen 6-inch bamboo skewers in enough water to cover 10 minutes; drain.

Meanwhile combine hoisin sauce, sherry, brown sugar and sesame oil; set aside.

Trim fat from beef steak. Cut steak crosswise into 1/4-inch thick strips. Alternately thread beef, weaving back and forth, and green onion pieces onto skewers.

Place kabobs on rack in broiler pan so surface of kabobs is 3 to 4 inches from heat. Brush with half of hoisin mixture. Broil 9 to 12 minutes, turning once, and brushing with remaining hoisin mixture.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 53; Fat: 2 g; Sodium: 47 mg;Cholesterol: 19 mg; Protein: 7 g; Carbohydrates: 2 g

POLENTA CAPRESE BURGERS

Recipe Yield: Makes 8 servings

Source: TBC

Recipe and photo appears courtesy of Cattlemen's Beef Promotion Board.

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/polenta-caprese-burgers.

Ingredients

1-1/2 pounds 95% lean ground beef

2/3 cup balsamic vinegar

1 package (16 to 18 ounces) refrigerated prepared polenta, cut into 8 slices

2 tablespoons olive oil

Salt and pepper

1 package (8 ounces) fresh mozzarella cheese, cut into 8 slices

2 medium tomatoes, cut into 4 slices each

Thinly sliced fresh basil

Directions

Bring vinegar to a boil in 2-quart saucepan. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 9 to 10 minutes or until reduced to 1/3 cup. Set aside.

Meanwhile lightly shape ground beef into eight 1/2-inch thick patties.

Brush polenta slices with oil. Place patties in center of grid over medium, ash-covered coals. Grill patties, uncovered, 11 to 12 minutes (over medium heat on preheated gas grill, covered, 9 to 10 minutes), until instant-read thermometer inserted horizontally into center registers 160F, turning burgers occasionally and basting with 2 tablespoons reduced vinegar after turning. Arrange polenta around patties; grill 11 to 12 minutes (for gas, grill 9 to 10 minutes) or until heated through, turning once. Season burgers with salt and pepper, as desired.

For each serving, layer 1 each polenta slice, burger, mozzarella slice and tomato slice. Drizzle with remaining vinegar and sprinkle with basil, as desired.

Note: Prepared balsamic syrup, available in large supermarkets and specialty food stores, may be substituted for balsamic reduction.

Notes:

Ditch the bun and have some fun with this Italian inspired recipe for Polenta Caprese Burgers.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 271; Fat: 1 g; Saturated Fat: 3 g; Fiber: 2 g; Sodium: 391 mg; Cholesterol: 57 mg; Protein: 28 g; Carbohydrates: 17 g

BOLD THAI BURGER

Recipe Yield: Makes 4 servings

Source: TBC

Recipe and photo appears courtesy of Cattlemen's Beef Promotion Board.

View online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/bold-thai-burger.

Ingredients

1 pound 96% lean Ground Beef

1 cup shredded Napa cabbage

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, divided

1/2 cup chopped green onions

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1 teaspoon hot chili sauce

1 tablespoon creamy peanut butter

1 tablespoon hoisin sauce

1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil

Salt and pepper

4 whole wheat or white hamburger buns, split

Directions

Combine cabbage and 1 tablespoon lime juice in medium bowl; set aside.

Combine Ground Beef, green onion, ground ginger and hot sauce in medium bowl, mixing lightly but thoroughly. Lightly shape into four 1/2-inch thick patties.

Heat nonstick skillet over medium heat until hot. Place patties in skillet; cook 10 to 12 minutes until instant-read thermometer inserted horizontally into center registers 160F, turning occasionally. Season with salt and pepper, as desired.

Meanwhile, combine peanut butter, hoisin sauce, remaining 1 tablespoon lime juice and sesame oil in small bowl. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

Place 1 burger on bottom half of each bun; top evenly with peanut butter mixture and cabbage mixture. Close sandwiches.

Notes:

A unique hamburger topped with the flavors of Thailand, including peanut butter, lime juice and hoisin sauce.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 273; Fat: 7 g; Saturated Fat: 2 g; Fiber: 4.5 g; Sodium: 416 mg; Cholesterol: 65 mg; Protein: 27 g; Carbohydrates: 27 g