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Savory, juicy ground beef with hearty kale. This satisfying, healthy meal is high in protein and only takes about 20 minutes to make!
Sometimes simple meals made up of a few quality, nourishing ingredients are the best meals– Flavorful, satisfying, and easy (like my Broth-Based Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole or Green Chile Chicken Enchilada Casserole).
The onion powder and garlic powder in this recipe make the beef really yummy and savory. Since the kale wilts down, you can pack a lot of healthy greens into this dish without feeling like you are chewing through tons of kale.
In our house, we like to pair this beef and kale recipe with Roasted Butternut Squash topped with butter, honey, and cinnamon. Great for any time of year, but especially perfect for those chilly fall nights 🙂
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. ground beef
- 1 large bunch of kale, taken off the stalk (roughly chopped)
- extra virgin olive oil (hearty drizzle)
- 1/2 tsp. sea salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 tsp. white pepper (or to taste)
- I use white pepper 75% of the time in my recipes. It provides such a depth of flavor to almost any seasoning combination. A little goes a long way. I highly recommend trying this brand
- 1/2 tsp. onion powder (or to taste)
- or you could chop an onion and sautee it with the ground beef
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder (or to taste)
That’s it! Pretty simple! Feel free to add more seasonings as you like!
Tips for Making Beef and Kale
- Add the seasonings while the meat is browning. That way the flavors will have time to all come together.
- Keep all the delicious beef drippings from the browning process. Don’t strain any of it out! The beef drippings provide the fat element which makes this dish so satisfying and juicy. Plus, the drippings hold a lot of the flavor from the seasonings.
- The amount of kale you add to the pot may seem like a lot at first. But once you add it to the hot beef, it will wilt down to only a fraction of what it was.
- Add the chopped kale to the beef once it is browned and still nice and hot. You will see the kale begin to wilt right away.
FAQ’s
Can I use ground turkey or ground chicken instead of ground beef?
Sure! The great part about recipes like these is that you can mix and match any combination of meat and vegetables that you like. Keep in mind that ground turkey and ground chicken will impart a different flavor than ground beef. But all of these options would be delicious!
Can I use a different green instead of kale?
Yes, you can experiment. Spinach might be a little bitter in flavor if you add too much, but would still be delicious in the right amounts. Cabbage would also be very tasty and hearty.
Is the olive oil necessary in this recipe since the ground beef will produce its own fat element as it cooks?
The olive oil isn’t absolutely necessary. Olive oil adds a delicious layer of flavor to the dish, but if you prefer to leave it out, I’m sure that would be fine.
Ways to Enjoy Savory Ground Beef and Kale
My favorite way to serve this is with Roasted Butternut Squash. We like to top that roasted squash with butter, cinnamon, and honey. Such a comforting meal, and especially perfect for a fall night.
Alternatively, my Roasted Potatoes with Bacon and Asparagus would be a great pairing with this savory ground beef. Top that off with a fresh loaf of Brown Bread or a pan of flaky Buttery Biscuits and a side of Whipped Honey Cinnamon Butter… DE-LISH!
How to Make Savory Ground Beef and Kale
Start by adding a hearty drizzle of olive oil to a large skillet or pot. Add the ground beef and brown over medium/medium-high heat. Part-way through the browning process, add the salt, white pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder.
While the beef is cooking, de-stem the kale and give it a rough chop just to make the pieces a little more manageable.
Once the beef is completely browned, turn the heat off. Add the chopped kale to the skillet/pot while the beef is still hot, and stir to combine. The heat from the beef will wilt the kale pretty quickly.
Once the kale is wilted, serve with a yummy side, and enjoy!
Want More Easy and Delicious Recipes?
- Green Chile Chicken Enchilada Casserole
- Foolproof Pot Roast with Sweet Potatoes
- Crispy Chicken Thighs with Sourdough Stuffing
- Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole (Broth Based)
- Mediterranean Quinoa Salad with Chicken
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Hey! I’m so glad you’re here. Give this recipe 5 stars if you try it and love it!
Wherever you find yourself today…take time to nourish yourself!
Warmly, Caroline
Beef and Kale
Equipment
- 1 large skillet or pot
- 1 knife and cutting surface
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. ground beef
- drizzle extra virgin olive oil
- 1 large bunch kale de-stemmed, chopped
- 1/2 tsp. sea salt
- 1/4 tsp. white pepper
- 1/2 tsp. onion powder
- 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
Instructions
- Add a drizzle of olive oil to a large skillet or pot. Brown the ground beef over medium/medium-high heat.
- Part-way through the browning process, add the sea salt, white pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder.
- While the beef cooks, de-stem and chop the kale.
- Once the beef is browned, turn off the heat and add the chopped kale to the skillet/pot while the beef is hot. Stir to combine. The kale will wilt quickly.
- Serve with sides, and enjoy!
