10 Uses For Ground Beef

10 Great Ways to Use Ground Beef (and Why Local Beef from 54 Farms Just Tastes Better)

When it comes to versatility, nothing beats ground beef. It’s the backbone of weeknight meals, backyard cookouts, and comfort food classics. But when that beef comes straight from a local Illinois farm, you’re getting more than convenience — you’re getting flavor, quality, and peace of mind.

At 54 Farms, our ground beef is locally raised, dry-aged, and full of flavor, with no middlemen or long-distance shipping. Whether you’re in Chicago, Naperville, Elgin, Peoria, or Springfield, you can enjoy premium, local beef delivered right to your home.

Here are 10 simple, delicious, and family-friendly ways to use 54 Farms ground beef this week:

1. Smash Burgers on the Griddle

Form loose balls of beef, smash on a hot skillet, season with salt, and top with cheddar. Simple, crispy, and juicy.
Perfect for: backyard grilling in Naperville or Peoria.

2. Farmhouse Tacos

Brown ground beef with chili powder, cumin, and garlic. Serve with warm tortillas, lettuce, and salsa.
Quick, fresh, and done in under 20 minutes.

3. Beef & Veggie Skillet

Cook ground beef with peppers, onions, and zucchini. Add shredded cheese and serve over rice or potatoes.
An easy one-pan dinner for busy suburban families.

4. Stuffed Peppers

Mix cooked rice, beef, tomato sauce, and Worcestershire. Fill bell peppers, top with cheese, and bake.
Perfect for cozy dinners in Springfield or Bloomington.

5. Homemade Sloppy Joes

Skip the can. Combine browned beef with ketchup, mustard, and a touch of brown sugar.
A kid favorite after school or after practice.

6. Breakfast Burritos

Cook beef with scrambled eggs, diced potatoes, and cheese. Wrap it all up in a tortilla for an easy on-the-go meal.
Great for early mornings in Elgin or Chicago.

7. Italian Meatballs

Mix beef with breadcrumbs, garlic, and seasoning. Bake, then simmer in marinara sauce.
Serve over pasta or on a crusty roll for a simple, hearty dinner.

8. Hearty Beef Chili

Simmer ground beef with beans, tomatoes, onions, and chili powder.
Perfect for chilly fall weekends or football watch parties.

9. Asian Beef Lettuce Wraps

Brown ground beef with soy sauce, ginger, and water chestnuts. Serve in crisp lettuce leaves.
A light, flavorful dinner that’s ready fast.

10. Shepherd’s Pie

Layer seasoned beef with vegetables and mashed potatoes, then bake until golden.
Comfort food at its best.

Why Local Ground Beef Makes All the Difference

When you buy local ground beef from 54 Farms, you’re supporting Illinois agriculture and getting beef that’s fresher, healthier, and raised the right way. Our cattle are humanely raised, our beef is dry-aged for flavor, and every pound comes directly from our family farm — no middlemen, no surprises.

Whether you’re meal prepping in Elgin, grilling in Naperville, or cooking for family in Chicago, 54 Farms beef delivers flavor and quality you can taste.

Order Local Ground Beef Direct from 54 Farms

Skip the grocery store and fill your freezer with local, farm-to-table ground beef.
Order online at 54Farms.com for pickup or delivery across Illinois.

Quarter, half, and whole beef appointments available.
Fresh, local, and raised with care — that’s the 54 Farms promise.