Whether you're in the mood for meatballs or a big bowl of chili, these low-carb ground beef recipes will satisfy any craving.
25 Low-Carb Ground Beef Recipes
Zucchini Boats
After working hard all our lives and raising a family, we’re now enjoying a simpler life. Getting back to the basics means enjoying old-fashioned comfort foods like these stuffed zucchini boats. —Mrs. C. Thon, Atlin, British Columbia
1/25
2/25
Gyro Salad with Tzatziki Dressing
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
If you're fond of gyros, you'll enjoy this garden-fresh salad showcasing ground lamb, crumbled feta cheese, Greek olives, tomatoes and a creamy cucumber dressing. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 236 calories, 16g fat (7g saturated fat), 43mg cholesterol, 807mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 14g protein.
3/25
Spicy Chili
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
12 servings (3 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
This spicy chili recipe is the culmination of several years’ worth of experimenting to get just the right flavor. For those who like their chili very hot, the secret is to add more jalapenos. The most I ever used in a recipe was five…was it spicy! —Liesha Hoek, Somerset, New Jersey
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 256 calories, 13g fat (5g saturated fat), 50mg cholesterol, 669mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 4g fiber), 19g protein.
4/25
Cocktail Meatballs
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
about 3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These beefy meatballs are a perennial favorite at our holiday parties. You won't believe how easy these holiday appetizers are to make. —Pat Waymire, Yellow Springs, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
2 each: 84 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 29mg cholesterol, 245mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 0 fiber), 6g protein.
5/25
Contest-Winning Hearty Hamburger Soup
Total Time
45 min
Servings
8 servings (2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
At family get-togethers, our children always request this spirit-warming ground beef soup along with a fresh loaf of homemade bread and tall glasses of milk. This hamburger soup has robust flavor, plenty of fresh-tasting vegetables and is easy to make. —Barbara Brown, Janesville, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 167 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 35mg cholesterol, 972mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 3g fiber), 12g protein.
6/25
California Burger Wraps
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I love the way these fresh flavors blend. It’s a snap to throw these wraps together for a quick, healthy lunch. The burgers can also be served on buns if you like. —Rachelle McCalla, Atlantic, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
2 wraps: 252 calories, 15g fat (5g saturated fat), 78mg cholesterol, 518mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 24g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 fat.
7/25
Meatballs Sausage Dinner
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
One day I was having trouble deciding what to make for dinner, so I combined whatever was in the refrigerator and freezer. To my surprise, everyone loved it! —Elizabeth Martz, Pleasant Gap, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 289 calories, 19g fat (7g saturated fat), 55mg cholesterol, 652mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 14g protein.
8/25
Bacon Cheeseburger Balls
Total Time
35 min
Servings
3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
The first time I served these, my husband and kids thought we were having plain meatballs. Then they cut into the flavorful filling inside! —Cathy Lendvoy, Boharm, Saskatchewan
Nutrition Facts:
1 ball: 75 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 27mg cholesterol, 137mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 4g protein.
9/25
Smoky Peanut Butter Chili
Total Time
4 hours 25 min
Servings
12 servings (3 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
I eliminated beans from my standard chili recipe and added peanut butter and peanuts just for fun. Wow, was it amazing! I tried it on my family and everyone loved it. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 279 calories, 15g fat (4g saturated fat), 59mg cholesterol, 878mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 4g fiber), 23g protein.
10/25
Air-Fryer Keto Meatballs
Total Time
40 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I have been following a keto diet for a year and a half and have lost 130 pounds. With this recipe for tasty air-fried keto meatballs, you won't miss the bread crumbs at all! I like to eat these saucy meatballs on their own, but they're also great over zucchini noodles. —Holly Balzer-Harz, Malone, New York
Nutrition Facts:
4 meatballs with 1/3 cup sauce: 404 calories, 27g fat (13g saturated fat), 162mg cholesterol, 799mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 31g protein.
11/25
Zucchini Pizza Casserole
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband has a hearty appetite, our two kids never tire of pizza and I grow lots of zucchini, so this tasty tomato casserole is absolutely tops with us throughout the entire year. Once you’ve tried the recipe, you may even decide to grow more zucchini in your own garden next summer! —Lynn Bernstetter, White Bear Lake, Minnesota
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 315 calories, 20g fat (10g saturated fat), 119mg cholesterol, 855mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 25g protein.
12/25
Hoisin Meatball Lettuce Wraps
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I make these tangy-sweet appetizers every year during the holidays, and it doesn’t take long for them to disappear.—Elaine Sweet, Dallas, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 appetizer: 69 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 21mg cholesterol, 99mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 0 fiber), 4g protein.
13/25
Spicy Beef Satay
Total Time
40 min
Servings
2 dozen (1/2 cup sauce)
From the Recipe Creator:
The fragrant spices and full flavors of North African cuisine make these appetizers a popular party food.
Nutrition Facts:
1 skewer with 1 teaspoon sauce: 74 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 12mg cholesterol, 25mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 0 fiber), 4g protein.
14/25
Cabbage Roll Stew
Total Time
5 hours 25 min
Servings
8 servings (3 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
A head of cabbage seems like it never ends. Here’s a delicious way to use it up. My husband is this stew’s biggest fan. —Pamela Kennemer, Sand Springs, Oklahoma
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups cabbage mixture: 195 calories, 11g fat (4g saturated fat), 46mg cholesterol, 564mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 4g fiber), 14g protein.
15/25
Air-Fryer Stuffed Zucchini
Total Time
35 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When your garden is overflowing with zucchini, it’s time to pull out your air fryer. Filled with ground beef and cheese, this quick to prepare meal is a delicious way to enjoy summer’s bounty. —Tracey Rosato, Markham, Ontario
Nutrition Facts:
1 stuffed zucchini half: 390 calories, 26g fat (13g saturated fat), 108mg cholesterol, 583mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 32g protein.
16/25
Chili for a Crowd
Total Time
1 hour 25 min
Servings
24 servings (6 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
This chili for a crowd was handed down to me by my aunt, who said she got it from a "grizzled Montana mountain man." I added some zesty ingredients to come up with the final version. Hot food is something that my husband's family isn't accustomed to, so I adjust the spices for them. In fact, with a few simple alterations to the "heat" index, I can serve this chili to anyone. —Lisa Humphreys, Wasilla, Alaska
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 207 calories, 11g fat (4g saturated fat), 40mg cholesterol, 422mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 3g fiber), 15g protein.
17/25
Easy Chiles Rellenos Casserole
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I love green chiles and cook with them often when I entertain. This easy version of the classic Mexican dish gives you big pepper taste in every meaty bite. —Nadine Estes, Alto, New Mexico
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 321 calories, 20g fat (11g saturated fat), 212mg cholesterol, 406mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 0 fiber), 24g protein.
18/25
Juicy & Delicious Mixed Spice-Burgers
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We like trying to make “street foods” at home, perfecting recipes for dishes like gyros and these spiced burgers, known as kofta. — Anne Henry, Toronto, Ontario
Nutrition Facts:
1 burger: 192 calories, 9g fat (4g saturated fat), 71mg cholesterol, 259mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 22g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat.
19/25
Hamburger Stew
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
16 servings (4 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
I got this hamburger stew recipe from a woman at our church, Lois Henry, when I needed a way to use up our bounty of home-canned tomatoes. My husband loves it, and I like that it's easy to warm up for a carefree dinner in the winter months. —Marcia Clay, Truman, Minnesota
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 191 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 35mg cholesterol, 689mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 2g fiber), 12g protein.
20/25
Beef, Potato & Egg Bake
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
To keep my family going strong throughout the day, I start with lean ground beef and spices, then sneak some spinach into this protein-packed dish. —Jennifer Fisher, Austin, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 218 calories, 11g fat (5g saturated fat), 250mg cholesterol, 489mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 20g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1/2 starch.
21/25
Bacon-Topped Meat Loaf
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My family loves meat loaf—and this one in particular. I created this bacon meatloaf after trying and adjusting many others over the years. Cheddar cheese tucked inside, plus a flavorful bacon topping dress it up for Sunday dinner! —Sue Call, Beech Grove, Indiana
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/4 piece: 329 calories, 17g fat (8g saturated fat), 127mg cholesterol, 692mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 1g fiber), 28g protein.
22/25
Festive Meat Loaf Pinwheel
Total Time
1 hour 35 min
Servings
20 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This crowd-size pinwheel is special enough for holiday dinner and features ham, Swiss cheese and a delicious homemade tomato sauce.—Vera Sullivan, Amity, Oregon
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece with 2 tablespoons sauce: 319 calories, 17g fat (7g saturated fat), 124mg cholesterol, 732mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 32g protein.
23/25
Zucchini Lasagna
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I plant zucchini every year, and we always seem to have more than we can use! This zucchini lasagna is a particularly delicious way I use our abundant crop. —Charlotte McDaniel, Williamsville, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 273 calories, 13g fat (5g saturated fat), 92mg cholesterol, 725mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 3g fiber), 27g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 starch, 1 fat.
24/25
Cheeseburger Bowl
Total Time
35 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe is a lighter way to enjoy an American summer staple. You can try a version of the dressing with 1 tablespoon of yellow mustard and 1 tablespoon of ketchup. —Laurie Rogerson, Ellington, Connecticut
Nutrition Facts:
2 cups salad mixture with 2 tablespoons dressing: 374 calories, 21g fat (8g saturated fat), 95mg cholesterol, 1099mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 3g fiber), 29g protein.
25/25
Italian Veggie Beef Soup
Total Time
30 min
Servings
12 servings (4 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
My sweet father-in-law, Pop Pop, would bring this chunky soup to our house when we were under the weather. We like it so much, we take it to our own friends who need comfort. It always does the trick. —Sue Webb, Reisterstown, Maryland
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/3 cups: 159 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 38mg cholesterol, 646mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 4g fiber), 15g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 1 vegetable, 1/2 starch.