Elevate Your Beef Mince Dishes With Herbs

This easy savoury mince recipe is tasty, versatile, and excellent for batch cooking and freezing. This recipe, which I got from my grandmother, has been a family favorite for over 50 years. Thank you, Nana!

You can serve this family-friendly minced beef stew with roast potatoes, creamy mashed potatoes, pasta, rice, or toast. By adding a few more things, you can also make it into a tasty bolognese, chili, or minced beef pie.

I really enjoy this traditional savoury mince, especially in the winter when I need something warm, rich, and hearty to fill me up.

Best of all, it doesn’t cost much, takes only 35 minutes to cook, and only needs one pan.

Frozen vegetables and common pantry items are used in this easy minced beef recipe to make a tasty thick gravy-style sauce that coats the minced beef.

The combination of humble ingredients makes for a nourishing and comforting meal without much fuss. Its the perfect weeknight supper when the weather turns cold outside.

I never normally rate recipes I try, but my kids dont usually eat 100% of a meal either. This was quick, cheap, easy, and delicious. After realizing I didn’t have the ingredients for what I had originally thawed the mince for, I made this with things I already had in the kitchen. Best of all, my kids like it! Thank you! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Liz[feast_advanced_jump_to]

✔️ Why should you try it?

• Quick and easy to make.
• Great for batch cooking and freezing.
• Costs are kept low by using frozen vegetables and pantry items
• Old-fashioned comfort food that both kids and adults will love!
• With just a few extra ingredients, this recipe can be turned into bolognese, lasagne, or minced beef chili.

Made this Savoury Mince over the weekend and it was a hit! Thank you for sharing! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Jo

Should be lean minced beef (ground beef), but you could also use Quorn mince for a vegetarian option. Try the savory mince recipe with lamb mince or turkey mince too, for a different taste.

Olive Oil – for frying.

Onion – finely chopped onion or swap for a sweeter red onion.

Garlic – 2 cloves, finely chopped.

Dried Italian Herbs – or use a combination of dried thyme, oregano, and rosemary.

Tomato Purée – adds richness and depth of flavour.

Flour – helps to thicken the sauce.

Beef Stock – creates the gravy. You could also use vegetable or chicken stock for a lighter tasting meal.

Frozen Mixed Vegetables – I used a mixture of frozen peas, carrots and green beans. Frozen sweetcorn is another great option.

Marmite is the secret ingredient that makes it taste so much better. If you’re in Australia or New Zealand, use vegemite instead, or use Worcestershire sauce instead.

Salt & Pepper – for seasoning.

This is the best savory mince I have ever eaten. I’ve made it about 10 times!! My family reckon they could eat it every night. It’s quick and easy to make and so tasty. Very hearty and healthy as well as comforting on a cold night. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Lyn.

The recipe card with ingredient quantities and detailed instructions can be found at the bottom of the post

How to make simple savoury mince

One: Heat the oil in a large shallow casserole or pan. Add the chopped onions and garlic and cook them until they are soft.

Two: Stir through the dried Italian herbs then turn up the heat and add the beef mince. Break up the mince with a wooden spoon and continue to stir until the mince changes colour.

Third, add the flour and stir it in. Cook for one minute, then add the tomato puree, beef stock, and cheese. Simmer for 15 minutes on a low heat, stirring occasionally.

Four: Stir in the frozen mixed vegetables and cook for 6-8 minutes until the vegetables are tender. If you want to make the gravy even thicker, add a tablespoon of thickening granules or mix in a fine stream of cornflour.

• Opt for good quality lean mince. Aim for less than 12% fat if you can.
• Ensure you brown the mince properly before adding any liquids. This important step caramelizes the proteins, which gives the dish more flavor.
• Season well and taste as you go along. This gives you the freedom to change the flavors to your liking.

Spiced ground beef goes well with polenta roast potatoes, creamy mash, roast sweet potatoes, or even rice and pasta. Garlic green beans are a great side dish.

Garlic bread baked at home or in an air fryer would add bulk to the meal and can also be used to soak up the thick beef gravy-style sauce.

I’ve also put it in a big Yorkshire pudding, which the kids loved, and made a minced beef pie with puff pastry on top.

You could use the extra to make easy lasagne or cottage pie, mix it into cheesy pasta, or put it on top of jacket potatoes.

Batch cook and freeze in portions.

• You can swap out the beef mince for lamb mince or use Quorn mince to make it low-carb.
• If you like your food hot, add chili powder or chili flakes. You could make a quick and easy chili con carne by adding a can of kidney beans in chili sauce.
• I usually put in mixed frozen vegetables, but you could use fresh ones instead if you’d rather. This simple recipe for beef mince would taste great with peppers, celery, zucchini, or sweet corn.
• Mix in a tin of chopped tomatoes for more flavour.
• Swap the dried herbs for fresh herbs. Thyme and rosemary would work well.
• Try making this recipe in your slow cooker!

Store – Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Reheat – In the microwave until piping hot. You could also reheat it in a saucepan on the hob.

Freeze – Once cooled, place the mince in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge before reheating.

Dried herbs like thyme, rosemary and oregano are good with beef. Marmite and Worcestershire sauce are also great for adding flavor. They are often used in beef stews and other recipes with ground beef, like bolognese and chili.

Minced beef (ground beef) is widely available in supermarkets. The best way to make your own minced beef is to cut a beef joint into cubes (brisket works well for this), freeze the cubes for 30 minutes, and then put them in a food processor and pulse them until you get the texture you want.

Put the beef in a pan over high heat and use a wooden spoon to break it up into little pieces as you cook it.

Of course, you can add more chili powder or fresh chilies if you like it hotter.

There are many dishes you can make with ground or minced beef. Bolognese sauce is a classic pasta sauce made with ground beef, tomatoes, herbs, and wine. Toss with spaghetti or tagliatelle. Chilli con carne – A hearty beef chili with beans, tomatoes, onions and spices. Serve with rice. Tacos – Season the mince with taco seasoning and serve in tortillas with toppings. Meatballs – Roll the minced beef into balls and bake or fry. Serve with pasta. Meatloaf – Mix the beef mince with breadcrumbs, eggs and seasonings and bake in a loaf pan. Burgers – Form the mince into patties and grill or pan-fry. Serve on buns with condiments. Pies – Top a pie crust with minced beef filling made with onions, carrots and gravy. Bake until the pastry is golden.

More easy mince recipes;

• It’s easy to make, tastes great, and is a great way to get your kids interested in curry. Keema Matar is minced beef and pea curry.
• Mild Chilli Con Carne for Kids: The chili is flavorful and subtly spiced, but not hot or spicy, so kids can enjoy it too!
• Chorizo Bolognese: This smoky and rich chorizo bolognese really brings the simple (but still very tasty) bolognese to the next level in terms of flavor.
• Easy Lasagne is a quick and easy lasagne recipe that can be made in just 45 minutes with a cheat’s white sauce. It’s comfort food that the whole family will love.
• Pork Bolognese – a lighter alternative to traditional beef bolognese.
• You just put everything in the slow cooker and turn it on.

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AFTER TRYING THIS RECIPE, I ONLY WANT TO EAT BEEF MINCE THIS WAY.

FAQ

What spice enhances beef flavor?

What can I add to ground beef for flavor?

Do you season minced beef?

What fresh herb goes with beef?

What herbs go well with beef?

Because it is such a slow-growing herb, try to buy a fresh parsley plant late in the summer and bring it indoors for the winter. Basil, rosemary, sage, thyme, and parsley are robust herbs that pair well with beef recipes. They add flavor highlights that can stand up to the meat.

What spices can be used to season Beef?

Garlic, oregano, rosemary, sage, or a combination of these herbs and spices are excellent seasonings for beef. With the help of spices like paprika, lemongrass, and saffron, poultry is given a flavor boost. Spices like thyme, turmeric, and dry mustard powder can enhance the flavor of fish.

Are herbs good for beef mince?

Herbs are a great addition to beef mince dishes for several reasons. Firstly, they add flavor and depth to the dish, enhancing the natural taste of the beef. Secondly, herbs have health benefits and can provide essential vitamins and minerals.

What Sage goes well with beef mince?

Sage – Sage has a strong, slightly bitter flavor that pairs well with the richness of beef mince. Use fresh or dried sage to season your beef mince dishes, and be careful not to overdo it as a little goes a long way. 5.