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Hearty Ground Beef and Green Beans Recipe for Easy Weeknight Dinners

Hearty Ground Beef and Green Beans Recipe for Easy Weeknight Dinners - Featured Image
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Learn how to make delicious ground beef green beans. Easy recipe with step-by-step instructions.

Ingredients

Scale

  • 1 pound ground beef (80% lean works great; for a leaner option, use 90% lean)
  • 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces (frozen green beans are a fine substitute if fresh aren’t available)
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 ½ cups diced tomatoes (canned or fresh)
  • ½ cup beef broth or water
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or bacon drippings (for that old-fashioned flavor)
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, but adds a lovely depth)
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes (if you like a little heat)
  • Fresh parsley or thyme for garnish (optional)

If you’re looking to mix things up, swapping ground turkey or chicken for the beef works nicely, though I do have a soft spot for the rich flavor beef brings. And if you want to sneak in more veggies, a handful of chopped mushrooms or diced carrots can blend seamlessly into the pot.

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil or bacon drippings in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil shimmers, add the chopped onion and sauté until soft and translucent, about 4-5 minutes. I remember Mama Lu saying, “Let the onions whisper first before the beef speaks.”
  2. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds, stirring constantly so it doesn’t burn.
  3. Add the ground beef, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned and no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. I like to let the beef get a little crusty bits on the bottom — that’s where the flavor hides.
  4. Season the beef with smoked paprika, dried thyme, salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir to combine and let those spices bloom in the heat for a minute.
  5. Pour in the diced tomatoes and beef broth. Stir everything together, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
  6. Add the trimmed green beans, stirring them into the beef and tomato sauce. Cover the skillet, reduce the heat to medium-low, and let it simmer until the green beans are tender but still have a slight bite, about 10-12 minutes.
  7. Uncover and cook for another 2-3 minutes to reduce any extra liquid, stirring occasionally. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  8. Before serving, sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley or thyme for a pop of color and freshness — a little touch Mama Lu always insisted on for her Sunday meals.

Find it online: https://claracooking.com/ground-beef-green-beans/