40 Heirloom Beef Recipes You’ll Want to Keep Passing Down
Updated: Jul. 20, 2022Cozy, comforting and absolutely delicious, it's no wonder why these vintage beef dinners have stood the test of time.
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Danish Meatballs with Pan Gravy
My great-grandmother made these meatballs, and I'm sure her mother must have taught her. Six generations have enjoyed them, and one of my daughters even served them at her wedding. —Kallee Krong-McCreery, Escondido, California
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Sunday Pot Roast
With the help of a slow cooker, you can prepare a down-home dinner any day of the week, not just on Sundays. The roast turns out tender and savory every time. —Brandy Schaefer, Glen Carbon, Illinois
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Grandma Schwartz's Rouladen
This was one of my Grandma Schwartz's recipes. Grandpa Schwartz was a German butcher and this was one of his (and our) favorite meals. It's an extra-special beef entree when served with mashed potatoes made with butter and sour cream. —Lynda Sharai, Summer Lake, Oregon
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Italian Meatball Buns
These soft little rolls come with a surprise inside—savory Italian meatballs. They’re wonderful dipped in marinara sauce, making them fun for my grandkids—and adults, too. I love how easy they are to put together. —Trina Linder-Mobley, Clover, South Carolina
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Six-Layer Dinner
I originally came across a five-layer version of this dish at a Home Extension program. I increased the ground beef and added the celery myself, and my family prefers this version.—Charlotte McDaniel, Williamsville, Illinois
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Cabbage Roll Skillet
Have a happy helping of this quicker take on something our grandmothers would make. We serve it over brown rice. It also freezes well. —Susan Chickness, Pictou County, Nova Scotia
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Pizza Macaroni & Cheese
My grandma made this for us once when she came to visit and I never forgot just how good it was. Since my kids love anything with pepperoni and cheese, I thought they'd enjoy it just as much as I did. —Juli Meyers, Hinesville, Georgia
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Hungarian Goulash
Talk about your heirloom recipes! My grandmother made this Hungarian goulash recipe for my mother when she was a child, and then Mom made it for us to enjoy. Paprika and caraway add wonderful flavor, and sour cream gives it a creamy richness. It’s simply scrumptious! —Marcia Doyle, Pompano, Florida
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Chicken-Fried Steak & Gravy
As a child, I learned from my grandmother how to make these chicken-fried steaks. I taught my daughters, and when my granddaughters are older, I’ll show them, too. —Donna Cater, Fort Ann, New York
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Nena's Papas Rellenas
A Cuban classic, these satisfying, crispy-coated potato balls are filled with a savory ground beef mixture known as picadillo. —Nena Linares, Los Angeles, California
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Creamy Beef & Potatoes
One of my husband's favorite childhood memories was eating his Grandma Barney's Tater Tot Casserole. One day I prepared it using potatoes O'Brien instead. Now I always make it this way. — Heather Matthews, Keller, Texas
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Great-Grandma's Italian Meatballs
My great-grandmother started this easy meatball recipe with our family. We use ground beef and turkey for these meatballs, and the flavor’s so good, you won’t miss the extra calories. —Audrey Colantino, Winchester, Massachusetts
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Tourtieres
Some time ago, a co-worker brought a meat pie to lunch. The aroma was familiar—after one taste, I was amazed to discover it was the same pie my grandmother used to serve when I was a youngster! She shared the recipe, and I have been enjoying it ever since. —Rita Winterberger, Huson, Montana
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Bacon-Colby Lasagna
My grandmother added bacon to her cheesy lasagna—something she borrowed from carbonara-style pasta. I learned so much by her side. —Cathy McCartney, Davenport, Iowa
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Old-World Pizza Meat Loaf
Good food and memories are made in the kitchen. A recipe like this one that’s been passed down through generations is worth its weight in gold. In fact, this was my grandma’s; we all love it. —Nicholas King, Duluth, Minnesota
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Tangy Meatballs
A family favorite, these tend meatballs make a popular hors d'oeuvres at parties. The easy homemade barbecue sauce boasts terrific smoky-sweet flavor.—Jane Barta, St. Thomas, North Dakota
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Li'l Cheddar Meat Loaves
I got this recipe from my aunt when I was a teen and have made these miniature loaves many times since. My husband and three children count this main dish among their favorites. —Kathy Bowron, Cocolalla, Idaho
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Spicy Potato Soup
My sister-in-law passed this kid-friendly recipe to me. Since she prefers her foods much spicier that we do, I cut back on the heat by reducing the amount of hot pepper sauce. Feel free to increase it or add your favorite herbs if you want more kick.— Audrey Wall, Industry, Pennsylvania
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Spicy Bean and Beef Pie
My daughter helped me come up with this recipe when we wanted a one-dish meal that was different than a casserole. This pie slices nicely and is a fun and filling dish. —Debra Dohy, Massillon, Ohio
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Mom's Beef Lasagna
This meat lasagna recipe is one of my mom's specialties. It's a hearty main dish that gets requested time and time again. The from-scratch sauce makes each cheesy slice extra flavorful and softer-textured than other versions. —Kim Orr, West Grove, Pennsylvania
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Beef Burgundy Over Noodles
I got this delightful beef burgundy recipe from my sister-in-law many years ago and have used it ever since. Whenever I serve it to guests, they always request this. The tender beef, mushrooms and flavorful sauce are delicious over noodles. —Margaret Welder, Madrid, Iowa
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Dilly Beef Sandwiches
My younger sister shared this recipe with me. It puts a twist on the traditional barbecue sandwich and has been proven to be a crowd pleaser. Plus, it's incredibly convenient to make in the slow cooker. —Donna Blankenheim, Madison, Wisconsin
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Mom's Roast Beef
Everyone loves slices of this fork-tender roast beef with its savory gravy. The well-seasoned roast is Mom's specialty. People always ask about the secret ingredients. Now you have the delicious recipe for our favorite meat dish! —Linda Gaido, New Brighton, Pennsylvania
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Mom's Meat Loaf
Mom made the best meatloaf, and now I do, too. When I first met my husband, he didn't care for homemade meatloaf, but this won him over. —Michelle Beran, Claflin, Kansas
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Beef Short Ribs in Burgundy Sauce
As an Army general, my stepdad got this beef short ribs recipe from his aide, who said it was his mother's best Sunday meal. It’s a mouthwatering family favorite. —Judy Batson, Tampa, Florida
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Salisbury Steak Supreme
When I was running late one night, a go-to recipe of my mom's popped into my head. Now it's one of my husband's favorites. It also makes a fast and satisfying solution for what to serve unexpected company. —Patricia Swart, Galloway, New Jersey
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Mom's Italian Beef Sandwiches
My mom made the best Italian beef. I’ve added to it over the years, but it’s still her recipe. She made these sandwiches for family reunions, and there were never leftovers. —Mary McVey, Colfax, North Carolina
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Mashed Potato Beef Casserole
This recipe came out of my mother's cookbook. The smudges and splatters show that Mom used it extensively to feed our large family. The tarragon really comes through to make a flavorful main dish. Now I prepare this recipe for our four children and six grandchildren. —Helen McGeorge, Abbotsford, British Columbia
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Swedish Meatballs
Mom fixed this Swedish meatball recipe for all sorts of family dinners, potluck suppers and PTA meetings. The scent of browning meat is intoxicating. Add to that the sweet smell of onions caramelizing, and everyone’s mouth starts watering. —Marybeth Mank, Mesquite, Texas
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Bacon-Topped Mini Meat Loaves
Here's all the savory deliciousness of Mom's meat loaf in a single-serving size! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Mom's Celery Seed Brisket
Warning: Keep a close eye on this tangy pot of goodness. Because it’s been fine-tuned to perfection, it tends to vanish at gatherings. —Aysha Schurman, Ammon, Idaho
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Grandma's Rice Dish
My grandmother often made this casserole when I was young. I forgot about it until one day I found myself adding the same ingredients to leftover rice. The memories came flooding back. —Lorna Moore, Glendora, California
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Spaghetti Pie Casserole
My family adores this spaghetti casserole. It's old-timey comfort food. This is how to make baked spaghetti with cream cheese. —Patricia Lavell, Islamorada, Florida
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Nikki's Perfect Pastitsio
My mother used to work so hard in the kitchen to make this classic Greek dish, and the results were always well worth her effort. My recipe for pastitsio is easier, a bit lighter and every bit as great as Mom's.—Nikki Tsangaris, Westfield, Indiana
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My Mom's Best Meat Loaf
The Rice Krispies used in this recipe are my mom’s secret ingredient. While they may seem odd or out of place, they help hold the meat loaf together. And once they are cooked, no one realizes they're even there. —Kelly Simmons, Hopkinsville, Kentucky
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Slow-Simmered Burgundy Beef Stew
My mother-in-law shared this recipe with me about 25 years ago. Ever since then, it's been a go-to whenever I need good food without a lot of fussing. —Mary Lou Timpson, Colorado City, Arizona
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Favorite Corned Beef and Cabbage
It may be the most famous dish to eat on St. Patrick's Day, but this Irish-American corned beef recipe is a favorite at our table all year long. This is how to make corned beef and cabbage. —Evelyn Kenney, Trenton, New Jersey
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Easy Chow Mein
Some years ago, our daughter welcomed me home from a hospital stay with this Asian dish and a copy of the recipe. Now I freeze leftovers for fast future meals. —Kay Bade, Mitchell, South Dakota
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Slow-Cooked Shepherd's Pie
Shepherd's pie is to the British as meat loaf is to Americans, so when I was a young child living in the U.K., I had it almost once a week. This is my go-to recipe when I'm longing for the sights and smells of my mother's kitchen. Turns out people here love it just as much! —Mari Sitkiewicz, Downers Grove, Illinois
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Classic Cabbage Rolls
I've always enjoyed cabbage rolls but didn't make them since most methods were too complicated. This recipe is fairly simple and results in the best cabbage rolls. My husband, Sid, requests them often. They're terrific to share at gatherings with our children and grandchildren. —Beverly Zehner, McMinnville, Oregon
Originally Published: March 28, 2018
