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Aldi Ground Beef Recipes: 5 Easy Budget-Friendly Taco Bowls and Smash Burgers

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Quick and budget-friendly recipes featuring Aldi ground beef for flavorful taco bowls and juicy smash burgers, perfect for busy weeknights and casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs (680 g) ground beef (80/20 mix)
  • 1 packet taco seasoning blend or 2 tbsp homemade mix (chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil or vegetable oil
  • 2 cups (480 ml) cooked rice or cauliflower rice
  • 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup (100 g) shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup (150 g) diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup (30 g) chopped lettuce
  • Sliced jalapeños (optional, to taste)
  • Chopped cilantro (a handful)
  • Avocado slices or guacamole (optional)
  • Sour cream or plain Greek yogurt (for topping)
  • 4 sturdy burger buns
  • Pickles and sliced onions
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Cook 2 cups of rice or cauliflower rice according to package instructions. Drain and rinse 1 can of black beans; set aside.
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine 1.5 lbs ground beef with taco seasoning. Mix gently to avoid overworking the meat.
  3. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add seasoned ground beef, breaking it apart. Cook 6-8 minutes until browned. Stir in black beans and cook 2-3 more minutes. Remove from heat.
  4. Divide cooked rice into four bowls. Top with taco beef and black beans mixture. Add shredded cheddar cheese, diced tomatoes, chopped lettuce, jalapeños, cilantro, avocado slices, and a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt.
  5. Divide remaining 1.5 lbs ground beef into 4 equal portions (~4 oz each). Form into loose balls without packing tightly.
  6. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a cast iron or heavy skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  7. Place each beef ball in the pan. Using a sturdy spatula, press down firmly to smash patties about 1/4 inch thick. Cook without moving for 2-3 minutes until crisp and browned.
  8. Flip patties carefully and immediately add shredded cheddar cheese on top. Cook 1-2 minutes until cheese melts and burger is cooked through.
  9. Lightly toast burger buns in a separate pan or same skillet if space allows.
  10. Assemble smash burgers by placing patties on bun bottoms. Top with sliced onions, pickles, and optional condiments like ketchup or mustard. Finish with bun tops.

Notes

[‘Do not overmix the beef to keep burgers tender.’, ‘Preheat pan for at least 5 minutes on medium-high for a good sear.’, ‘Use a metal spatula for smashing and flipping patties.’, ‘Season beef generously with salt and pepper just before cooking.’, ‘Toast buns while burgers cook to save time.’, ‘Let smash burgers rest for a minute after cooking to redistribute juices.’, ‘Avoid pressing burgers after flipping to retain juiciness.’, ‘Give patties enough space in the pan to develop crispy edges.’, ‘Taco bowls deepen in flavor after a day; great for meal prep.’, ‘Reheat smash burgers in a skillet to restore crispness, avoid microwaving alone.’]

Nutrition

Keywords: ground beef, taco bowls, smash burgers, Aldi recipes, budget-friendly, quick dinner, easy meals, weeknight dinner