Making Beef Easy: A Busy Mom’s Guide to Getting More Protein in Your Diet

May 15, 2025

By Ashley Recknor

As a mom, professional and someone who’s passionate about agriculture, I know firsthand how challenging it can be to find time for healthy, nourishing meals. Between managing work and family life, meal planning often falls to the bottom of my to-do list. However, one thing I always prioritize is making sure my family gets the nutrition they need. And what better time to talk about the benefits of adding more protein to your plate than in May — beef month!

May is a special time to reflect on all the great ways we can incorporate beef into our diets, especially when considering the high-quality protein it provides. As a co-owner of Purple Ribbon Beef, a family-run farm that produces premium, dry-aged beef, I’m passionate about helping others understand the nutritional value of this delicious ingredient. I’m excited to share why beef should be a staple in your diet and offer a few simple tips to make eating beef easier.

Beef: The Protein Powerhouse

Whether you’re cooking up a juicy steak, preparing a hearty stew or tossing a few patties on the grill, beef is a great way to boost your protein intake. A 3-ounce portion of lean beef provides 25 grams of protein, which aligns with USDA MyPlate guidelines of 20-30 grams of protein per meal for the average adult. This makes beef an excellent choice for anyone looking to build or maintain muscle mass, support a healthy immune system or feel fuller longer after a meal.
Beef is also packed with essential micronutrients, including iron, zinc, and B vitamins, making it easy to obtain a wide range of benefits in just one meal.

The Busy Family's Guide to Beef

For working parents, meal planning can feel like an overwhelming task. But with a little strategy, you can enjoy the benefits of beef without spending hours in the kitchen daily. Here are a few tips to make it easier to get more beef into your diet:

1. Batch cook ground beef. One of my favorite tricks is to cook a few pounds of ground beef at once. Cooking in bulk makes meal prep a breeze throughout the week. I’ll cook the beef, season it for various meals (such as tacos or sloppy joes), and store it in the fridge or freezer. When it's time to cook, I can pull it out and reheat it, saving time on those busy weeknights.

2. Meal prep on Sunday. If batch cooking doesn’t work for you, try setting aside two pounds of ground beef and one other beef item, such as steak or roast, each Sunday. This helps me plan for the week ahead. You can defrost the meat for quick use in meals throughout the week or cook it up fresh, depending on your needs.

3. Cook extra. I always cook a little extra, whether burgers, steak or roast. Extra burgers are perfect for a quick snack or meal for my daughter when we're on the go. Extra steak makes a great steak salad or a simple topping for a baked potato. And leftover roast? We always turn that into a comforting beef and noodles dish everyone loves.

Recipe Inspiration

Not sure where to start? Beef has a lot of versatility. Here are a few meal ideas that make it easy to include beef in your week:

• Ground beef favorites — Ground beef is a fast and flavorful option for making meatloaf, spaghetti or stuffed peppers. Check out some great ideas for ground beef here: Ground Beef Favorites.

• Leftovers? No problem! — Don’t let leftover beef go to waste. Turn it into something delicious like a stir-fry, chili or shepherd’s pie. You can find more leftover inspiration here: So Long, Leftovers.

Making Beef a Regular Part of Your Diet

Beef Month is the perfect opportunity to experiment with new recipes and find simple ways to incorporate beef into your meals. For busy families like ours, having a protein-rich food that’s easy to prepare and store can make a big difference. Beef helps fuel our bodies and brings families together at the dinner table, making it a valuable part of our home.

As an advocate for the benefits of beef and a member of CommonGround Iowa, I’m proud to represent the hardworking farmers who bring high-quality beef to families like yours. Whether you’re grilling on the weekend or preparing a quick dinner on a weeknight, consider eating more beef this May — and beyond.

If you want to add more beef to your diet or learn more about buying locally sourced beef, here’s a great resource: Iowa Local Beef Directory. To stay connected to agriculture and get more insights from farmers like me, follow CommonGround Iowa on Facebook.

For more inspiration and easy beef recipes, be sure to check out Beef. It's What's For Dinner.