Celebrate May with the Ultimate Protein Pair: Beef & Eggs
May 12, 2026
By Gretchen Westdal Centers
The month of May feels anticipatory. Summer is around the corner, outdoor activities have ramped up and flowers begin to bloom. That same anticipation can be felt in the kitchen. Switching out the crock pot for the grill. Avoiding the oven, if possible. And finding quick, easy meals so we can enjoy this special season in Iowa. It’s fitting, then, that May is Beef and Egg Month. These two proteins are easily prepared, versatile and help bring together a meal in a matter of minutes. Discover what delicious delights these two Iowa staples provide in our recipes below.
Breakfast Pockets | Iowa Pork
Whether a morning person or not, sometimes a special breakfast can really set the day on the right track. Sure, the standard yogurt, toast or maybe just coffee is easy. But a pre-made, warm and savory meal is a delightful change. These breakfast pockets are just that meal. Not only are they easy to assemble, filling and delicious — they are also perfect to take on the go! The premade pizza crust and savory sausage patties take out much of the prep work, and the delectable eggs, cottage cheese and shredded cheddar all come together in one bowl. That mixture is divided up and placed onto the pizza dough with the sausage patty, folded into cheesy, egg-y goodness and baked to perfection.
Get the recipe here: Breakfast Pockets
Jalapeño Popper Stuffed Cheeseburger | Midwest Dairy
Going out to eat is fun, but what about creating a restaurant-worthy meal right at home? It’s more economical, customizable and fulfilling. Plus, you don’t need to worry about snagging a table! Enjoy these Jalapeno Popper Stuffed Cheeseburgers on a warm spring evening with friends or family. The classic combination of zippy jalapenos with tangy cream cheese will have mouths watering. The cheese and jalapeño mixture is pressed between two ground beef sirloin patties — with some bacon added for extra goodness — and grilled for added depth of flavor. Customize with your favorite toppings, especially the Southwest Sauce that the recipe includes and enjoy!
Get the recipe here: Jalapeno Popper Stuffed Cheeseburger
Tempeh Burrito Bowl with Beef | Soy Foods Council
Weeknight meals can get repetitive, and grocery prices can also add extra consideration to meal planning. These Tempeh Burrito Bowls with Beef not only offer up plant protein filled with fiber, but also stretch the ground beef so the servings can go farther. Tempeh is made from soybeans. It has a firm texture, which pairs wonderfully with the ground beef. Tempeh is made from whole soybeans, giving it more protein and fiber than traditional tofu. When used in a bowl like this, even the pickiest of eaters likely won’t notice there’s an additional protein source other than beef. Each diner can also make this their own creation by adding salsa, cheese, cilantro, Greek yogurt, rice or a squeeze of lime. The bowls are also great for lunch the next day.
Get the recipe here: Tempeh Burrito Bowl with Beef
Fresh Fruit Cheesecake | Iowa Egg
If you’re not a baker, cheesecake can be intimidating to attempt, let alone perfect. There are so many methods, varieties and ways for the cheesecake to go wrong. Luckily, there is this sneaky, easy Fresh Fruit Cheesecake that is not only delicious and satisfying, but also uses the microwave! You need to plan ahead, just a bit to let the cheesecake sit overnight, but outside of that step, this comes together with minimal effort. Simple, delectable ingredients — butter, cream cheese, eggs, sugar, graham cracker, fresh fruit of your choosing — and you have a bakery-quality dessert done without the bill or stress of traditional baking methods. Topping the cheesecake with an array of berries makes this a seasonally appealing sweet treat!
Get the recipe here: Fresh Fruit Cheesecake
Beef and Ramen Noodle Bowl | Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.
On the occasion that April showers continue into May, a bowl of warm, brothy noodles is the perfect complement to a rainy day. A classic flavor combination, this Beef and Ramen Noodle Bowl features a balanced array of proteins, veggies and carbs. And best of all? It all comes together in one skillet. The recipe calls for using lean top sirloin steak and omega-3-rich boiled eggs, which is a great way to get in an impressive amount of protein and flavor without a lot of extra fats. Ginger, cilantro, hot chili sauce, lime and pickled ginger are all topping options that give this dish the exciting, personalized flavor that everyone craves.
Get the recipe here: Beef and Ramen Noodle Bowl
Two Turkey Cobb Salad | National Turkey Federation
What’s better than a turkey cobb salad? A Two Turkey Cobb Salad that features grilled turkey and turkey bacon! Lore has it that the Cobb Salad was first created in the 1930s when restaurateur Robert H. Cobb was hungry one evening and raided his restaurant, the Brown Derby in Los Angeles, looking for a meal. He threw together the remains of the evening’s dishes: bacon, hard-boiled eggs, chicken, avocado, lettuce, blue cheese, and combined them all together in a bowl for a meal that has evolved ever since. Years later, his combination has taken on various forms and has been enjoyed by countless diners. This is yet another take on the classic, featuring turkey and turkey bacon. Packing punch of flavor, you can enjoy this for lunch, dinner or, like Robert, a late-night meal!
Get the recipe here: Two Turkey Cobb Salad