13 Healthy Beef Recipes for a Flavorful Meal Under 500 Calories

2016-09-29
13 Healthy Beef Recipes for a Flavorful Meal Under 500 Calories

Yes, healthy beef recipes do exist! Try our revamped beef taco pie, air-fried meatballs, or classic beef tenderloin for a delicious, good-for-you dinner that will satisfy those meat cravings. Plus, each healthy meat recipe is under 500 calories, which means you can score loads of flavor and protein without using up your entire daily quota of calories.

01 of 13

Sheet-Pan Beef and Sweet Potatoes with Gremolata

Meat and potatoes get a weeknight- and waistline-friendly makeover! This healthy beef recipe is lower in fat and higher in fiber than the usual steak and spud entrée. The key ingredients to make this meal magic possible: lean beef shoulder petite tenders and fiber-rich, vitamin-packed sweet potatoes. We're also fans of the mere 15 minutes of prep time, making this showy dinner totally doable any day of the week.

02 of 13

Rotini with Beef and Beans

When craving flavors similar to those beloved boxed burger pasta packs, turn to this healthy beef recipe. The easy meat-and-pasta dish pairs with kidney beans in this recipe that packs protein, fiber, and flavor—all brought to you by your favorite skillet. And all with much fewer additives and a lot less sodium.

03 of 13

Beef Taco Pie

Tacos meet their match (a pie plate) in this tortilla-crusted twist on a Mexican classic. Ready in under an hour, this savory pie is about to become one of your favorite healthy ground beef recipes for easy weeknight cooking.

04 of 13

Beef and Vegetable Biscuit Bake

Who knew pot pie could be a perfectly well-balanced addition to your diet? Thanks to this healthy ground beef casserole, with just 309 calories per serving, it can be. A boatload (OK, a baking dish) full of veggies—including Brussels sprouts, carrots, mushrooms, and onion—plus lean beef, balance out the decadence of the flaky biscuit topping.

05 of 13

Beef Stroganoff Soup

Don't write off beef stew as solely a rib-sticking option for winter. Soups are the perfect way to meld tons of nutrients (and delicious flavor) into one dish. This healthy beef stroganoff, made with lean sirloin and piles of fresh mushrooms, does just that.

06 of 13

Southwestern Noodle Bowl

At under 300 calories and only 9 grams of fat, this is our kind of noodle bowl! How is this healthy beef recipe still the complete opposite of bland? Garlic, cumin, bell peppers, and homemade pico de gallo do the trick.

07 of 13

Air-Fried Meatballs and Bell Peppers

This healthy beef recipe will be on your table in just 30 minutes, thanks to your air-fryer. Cook the homemade beef meatballs with sliced bell peppers right in the air-fryer basket. Finish the dish with a sprinkle of green onions.

08 of 13

Roast Beef with Beets and Chicories

Pair slow-roasted beef with a fresh chicory salad to create this colorful dinner idea. The bitterness of the chicories (think endive, escarole, and radicchio) balance the juicy, succulent roast. Finish the salad and the roast with plenty of freshly cracked black pepper.

09 of 13

Flank Steak with Antipasto Topper

All this dinner takes is seven ingredients and a skillet (or a grill, if the weather cooperates). Even better news? You can marinate and do much of the prep for this healthy beef meal up to 24 hours ahead of time.

10 of 13

Panko-Crusted Beef Roast with Hasselback Zucchini

While it looks like a pricey and splurge-worthy spread, you might order at a chic steakhouse; this crunchy-coated roast and squash meal is only 322 calories per serving. With a nice balance of tender roast meat, buttery-textured Dutch potatoes, and stuffed zucchini, this healthy beef dinner idea needs nothing else to be a complete, party-worthy feast. Well, except for maybe a bottle of bold red wine.

11 of 13

Oven-Roasted Beef Tenderloin

This dish isn't short on flavor, as we call for seasoning the healthy beef tenderloin recipe with fresh parsley and coating it in just the right amount of olive oil, salt, and pepper. An herbed wild rice would make a fiber-rich accompaniment.

12 of 13

Fork-Tender Pot Roast

Veggies, spices, and your slow cooker make this a super-tasty, super-easy dinner. Missing one of the ingredients? We've got tons of substitutions to customize this healthy beef recipe with what you have on hand.

13 of 13

Chimichurri Kabobs

You'll want to start marinating the chicken and beef for these easy kabobs the morning before serving. Once you're ready to grill, skewer them with onions, mushrooms, and peppers to create this healthy beef recipe.

Healthy Recipes All Day Long

Related Article

Crab Rangoon Roll-Ups Are So Much Better Than the Original

Crab Rangoon Roll-Ups Are So Much Better Than the Original

This crab rangoon roll-up recipe is the perfect balance of crispy tortilla shell and creamy crab filling. Serve them with your favorite sweet chili sauce.
Ricotta and Parmesan Spread

Ricotta and Parmesan Spread

Basil, oregano, and chives brighten up this rich Parmesan and ricotta cheese spread. Start your next dinner party with this easy, cheesy appetizer. Just add slices of baguette and veggies for dipping!
Pineapple-Ginger Punch

Pineapple-Ginger Punch

Pineapple-Ginger Punch might just be your new favorite summer drink. To transform the refreshing punch recipe into a cocktail, spike the fresh ginger-infused sip with rum or vodka.
Why You Should Be Eating More Pecans

Why You Should Be Eating More Pecans

Beyond their delicious taste, pecans are also packed to the brim with nutrition. Read on to find out just what makes pecans such a healthy addition to your lifestyle as well as some tasty ways to get started.
What Is Natural Flavor? Here’s What It Means on Food Labels

What Is Natural Flavor? Here’s What It Means on Food Labels

What does “natural flavors” mean when you see it on a food or drink label? A flavorist explains how your favorite strawberry drink gets that taste.
13 High-Protein Breakfast Ideas for a Morning Brain Boost

13 High-Protein Breakfast Ideas for a Morning Brain Boost

Looking for a protein-loaded breakfast? Here are our best energy packed breakfast ideas to give your morning a boost. Incorporate these recipes into your daily routine for a high protein breakfast.
How Long to Cook Steak on a Grill for Perfect Results Every Time

How Long to Cook Steak on a Grill for Perfect Results Every Time

Conquer your next cookout with tips on all you need to know about how long to cook steak on a grill, the best cuts to buy, and how to serve the steak.
How to Cook Eggplant—5 Simple Methods

How to Cook Eggplant—5 Simple Methods

If you're wondering how to cook eggplant, keep reading. On the grill, roasted, sautéed, and—yes—even in the microwave, this vegetable is as versatile as it is delicious.
How to Cook Sweet Potatoes—6 Different Methods Including Baked, Fried, and More

How to Cook Sweet Potatoes—6 Different Methods Including Baked, Fried, and More

Mash them, bake them, pressure-cook them, or turn them into fries—whatever your method, follow these steps to make perfect sweet potatoes every time.
Easy Chicken and Broccoli Recipes You'll Be Making on Repeat

Easy Chicken and Broccoli Recipes You'll Be Making on Repeat

From all-American casseroles to Korean-style suppers to Italian chicken Parm, these chicken and broccoli recipes show how that combo *can* be something you eagerly anticipate. We’ve rounded up our best healthy chicken and broccoli recipes (as well as a few more decadent options) to help remix your weeknight menu.
16 Cauliflower Recipes to Make if You're Cooking Tonight

16 Cauliflower Recipes to Make if You're Cooking Tonight

This round-up of cauliflower recipes features the versatile veggie as the star of the plate. Each of these recipes with cauliflower provides a wide array of options everyone can enjoy, any night of the week.
Snap Peas, Snow Peas, and Farro with Oranges and Citrus-Sesame Vinaigrette

Snap Peas, Snow Peas, and Farro with Oranges and Citrus-Sesame Vinaigrette

The crunchy combo of snap and snow peas complements the chewy bite of farro and contrasts the juicy orange sections.
Chilaquiles Breakfast Casserole

Chilaquiles Breakfast Casserole

Try this make-ahead breakfast casserole to feed a crowd on a busy weekend. The zesty Mexican flavors will inspire everyone to come back for seconds.
Fire-Roasted Tomato and Italian Sausage Grinders

Fire-Roasted Tomato and Italian Sausage Grinders

Use canned fire-roasted tomatoes to rev up this classic Italian sausage sandwich recipe.
Gluten-Free Giant Ginger Cookies

Gluten-Free Giant Ginger Cookies

We've used a 1/4 cup of cookie dough for each of these giant, molasses-infused cookies. If you prefer smaller cookies, there's instructions for mini gluten-free ginger cookies, too.
Gluten-Free Fresh Herb Vinaigrette

Gluten-Free Fresh Herb Vinaigrette

In just 10 minutes, you can have a zesty homemade salad dressing ready. The olive oil will solidify when chilled, so let the vinaigrette stand at room temperature 1 hour before serving. Don't forget to shake it well!
Portobello Pot Roast

Portobello Pot Roast

Meaty portobellos stand in for beef in this vegetarian portobello pot roast that's as rich as the classic but cooks in a fraction of the time.
Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies

Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies

Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies
How to Smoke Food Even if You Don't Have an Actual Smoker

How to Smoke Food Even if You Don't Have an Actual Smoker

Add complex flavors to your meats, seafood, grains, and veggies with our Test Kitchen tutorials on how to smoke food at home using a charcoal or gas grill.
Grilled Trout Stuffed with Lemon and Herbs

Grilled Trout Stuffed with Lemon and Herbs

This is a simple, flavorful way to grill almost any whole fish, with a 'stuffing' designed not to be eaten, but to flavor the fish from the inside out.