Beef often gets a bad rap in terms of healthy eating, especially when enjoyed in greasy cheeseburgers and steak sandwiches. But when you choose leaner cuts, beef becomes a healthier dish and an excellent source of muscle-building protein. Cuts like flank, skirt steak and sirloin have less fat and are good sources of iron, zinc and other essential minerals.
To find healthier cuts, the Mayo Clinic recommends checking the nutrition label for words, like “lean” or “extra lean,” which means it has less than 10 grams of total fat per 3.5-ounce serving. Top choices for going extra lean include eye of round roast and steak, sirloin tip side steak, top round roast and top sirloin steak. Also, opt for cuts of beef graded “Choice” or “Select,” instead of “Prime,” which has more fat. When you find the right slice, add these nine healthy steak recipes to your cooking repertoire.
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9 Healthy Steak Recipes That Pack in the Protein
1. Crock Pot Pepper Steak
If you’ve got a packed day ahead, allow your slow cooker to do the meal prep for you. Simply combine scallions, ginger, garlic, bouillon, soy sauce, vinegar and black pepper for a flavorful marinade. Add the steak strips and bell peppers to the bottom of your slow cooker, and then pour the marinade over it. Let the steak cook on low for six to eight hours. The result: A super tender beef dish that melts in your mouth. Enjoy it over a bed of brown rice for more fiber. Photo and recipe: Mike / The Iron You
2. Steak Burrito Bowls
Swap your beef tacos for this steak burrito bowl at your next Taco Tuesday feast. Lean flank steak gets a zesty kick with the homemade chimichurri sauce, while quinoa lends a hearty, grainy texture to the dish. Top each bowl with sautéed red, yellow and green bell peppers, half an avocado and some corn for a well-balanced dinner. Each bowl packs a filling 40 grams of protein, for those of you counting macros. Photo and recipe: Krista / Joyful Healthy Eats
3. Gluten-Free Beef Lo-Mein
In the mood for noodles? Before you fire up your Seamless app, this Asian-inspired recipe satisfies your cravings and packs a ton of veggies. The flank steak and rice noodles give this comfort food heartiness. But the real secret is all in the sauce — which includes soy sauce, ginger, sesame oil and red pepper flakes. Upgrade this dish to even healthier levels by swapping in whole-wheat spaghetti for rice noodles and maple syrup or honey for brown sugar. Photo and recipe: Keil / Munchkin Time
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4. Grilled Steak Kabobs
Everything tastes better and feels more satisfying when it’s eaten on a stick, and these steak kabobs don’t disappoint. We love the simplicity of this dish (and the quick clean-up!). This recipe uses sirloin steak, which soaks up the flavorful soy sauce marinade. Mix up your kabobs with a variety of veggies. We love zucchini, bell peppers, tomatoes — and even fruit, like pineapples. Photo and recipe: Abeer / Cake Whiz
5. Pepper Steak Breakfast Burritos
This creative recipe is a healthier twist to the typical steak-and-eggs dish. Made with eggs, thinly sliced sirloin steak and fiber-rich veggies, there’s no better way to start your morning or enjoy breakfast for dinner. Wrap ‘em up and enjoy with a side of salsa and fresh avocado. Instead of regular tortillas, go for the whole-grain variety to get more nutrients out of your burrito. Photo and recipe: Amee / Amee’s Savory Dish
6. Steak and Tomato Salad
When you want to be bad but have to be good, this salad makes the perfect filling lunch. Juicy tomatoes bring out the mouthwatering flavor of the A1 steak sauce vinaigrette, while red onions, fresh basil and thyme leaves embolden the dish with a refreshing zest. Photo and recipe: Susan Lightfoot Moran / The View From Great Island
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7. Steak and Cauliflower Potatoes with Sauteed Spinach
If you’re a meat and potatoes kind of guy (or girl), this dish is for you! Mashed cauliflower has a similar texture to mashed potatoes, and when you add the same seasonings, you can hardly taste the difference. Parmesan cheese and garlic infuse the mashed cauliflower with savory goodness that melts in your mouth. And to add some greens to this dish, saute some spinach. Photo and recipe: Perry Santanachote / Life by Daily Burn
8. Sheet Pan Flank Steak with Roasted Vegetables
When you need something fast and easy, sheet pan recipes are the perfect weeknight meal. This recipe is just as simple as it sounds. Cut the flank steak into strips for even cooking and then toss the potatoes, broccoli and peppers in garlic, olive oil, cumin and oregano. Spread the potato and veggie mix and flank steak strips on a large baking sheet, and pop it in the oven to broil for five to seven minutes. Dinner, served! Photo and recipe: Charbel / My Latina Table
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9. Steak and Quinoa Salad
After a tough workout, this steak and quinoa salad is a great way to replenish your nutrients and help your muscles recover. Leafy spinach, bell peppers and squash add another layer of fiber and antioxidants in this hearty plate. Photo and recipe: Perry Santanachote / Life by Daily Burn
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