Sometimes all you have in the fridge or freezer is a pack of mince and you are really stuck on what to do for tea. Here are my favourite tips and tricks with mince along with some great lean and healthy mince recipes!
Whether you are following a weight loss plan or not these should help you make some easy and healthy meals with mince. I love cooking healthy recipes.
Contents
Which type of mince to choose?
When we talk of mince we usually are referring to beef however you can commonly get minced turkey, minced pork and minced lamb. Other meats may be possible but less easy to get hold of in general.
If you are looking for a vegetarian mince then I love the Quorn one and find it works well in most recipes instead of beef or lamb mince. It generally does not bind together as easily, however. If you are looking for a mince to bind together well The Meatless Farm co. one is pretty good in my experience.
This website is in no way affiliated with Slimming World, Weight Watchers, Noom or any other weight loss plan and no contributors have been trained by them or worked for them. It is the reader’s responsibility to check syn values, points and allowances themselves on the appropriate website or app as those given are approximate.
Finding healthy lamb mince
Lamb mince can also be enjoyed on weight loss plans but it is usually higher in calories as generally lamb is high in fat. If you can find a 5% or less lamb mince though you can enjoy this for fewer calories, points or syns like any other mince.
There is no reason you could not substitute any of these mince recipes to include lamb mince, particularly the kebab. Just remember to check the fat content.
If you follow Slimming World, Weight Watchers (WW), Noom or any other weight loss plan you can usually count the ingredients within these recipes in your allowances. It is of course important to check yourself any plan you follow and remember all nutritional information and ingredients are found in the recipe cards.
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How long does mince last?
If you put it in the freezer it is recommended you use it within 4 months. Of course, this is providing you freeze it while still fresh and defrost in the fridge before use. It is important to never refreeze mince or any other meat for that matter.
Vegetarian mince can vary considerably so do check the packaging for the best advice.
Storing mince
If you are buying fresh mince and wanting to freeze it then the best way to do so is not in its shop-bought container. Remove the mince from the package and put it in a secure plastic bag. Before sealing ensure all air you possibly can is squeezed out of the bag.
Not only does this maximise freezer space but it keeps it much fresher. Remember to label your bag with what it is and when it was frozen.
Something new?
So, you have a pack of mince and you really do not know what to make? Perhaps you are bored of making the same meals and want something quick and easy? Look no further, these ideas of lean and healthy mince recipes should help you out.
There are so many things you can make so do read all these ideas before deciding, you might be surprised!
Mince for fussy eaters
It can be a nightmare if your children do not like vegetables or generally turn their nose up at anything different. One thing that can help with this is getting them to help you cook. If you are cooking for an adult with similar issues this can be harder as they may not be easily tricked by the same things as children.
Cottage pie or shepherd’s pie is often a family favourite. Why not try my cottage pie recipe and see if it suits your fussy eaters?
Have you tried making this spaghetti bolognese with hidden vegetables? Once you have got them eating you can easily add a few more vegetables each time. When you are comfortable don’t blend the vegetables quite as smooth or blend some and finely chop others. Remember red onion is usually something kids avoid so perhaps leave that blended if necessary!
Have you used mince when making stuffed peppers? If not then you should try my recipe for slow cooker stuffed peppers.
Another great dish for fussy eaters is these pork and herb burgers that melt in the middle. Perfect for children to get involved in making and a great way to get them to try new things. They are quick and easy for everyone to get involved in making.
An alternative if you have low-fat lamb or beef mince is to make these as lamb burgers or beef burgers.
Mince recipes with a difference
How about taco beef stuffed sweet potatoes? Don’t they look good? Give them a go and see if it could be a regular on your meal plan.
If you are looking for something truly different have you tried my cowboy pie recipe yet? Or for a slight adaption of that my Cowboy cheesy potato bake recipe?
Healthy beef and rice bowl is a really easy weekday meal and full of flavour and can be adjusted to everyone in the family’s tastes. This is quite like a burrito bowl if you enjoy those.
Spiced mince recipes
If you love to make spicy foods then this Turkey Chilli may be the recipe for you. Instead of using beef mince, it uses turkey mince which not only is naturally lean but also usually cheaper. More turkey mince recipes can be found here.
For a more traditional beef chilli con Carne then this is the perfect beef chilli recipe. Easy to make and the spices can be adapted easily to suit all the family. I often make it in the slow cooker and use slow cooker lines as you can see above to save on washing up!
Spiced lamb mince recipes
Lamb mince is generally quite hard to get at 5% or less fat. This is because lamb tends to be fatty meat. If you can get it easily however or have some to use up here is a great Moroccan meatball recipe.
It is a tasty and nice spicy lamb dish using lamb meatballs but if you have trouble getting these beef meatballs will work just fine.
Alternatively, you could make this Fakeaway Doner kebab with lean lamb mince if you can get it instead of the minced beef in this recipe. It would work just as well. It is quick and easy to prepare and then put in the oven whilst you get on with other things.
Fakeaway beef mince recipe ideas
If you are at home you have minced beef in the fridge that really needs using up, but really don’t fancy the usual meals. There are some great fakeaway meals you can make with mince so it feels like you have a takeaway!
This Big Mac rice bowl could be a perfect healthier alternative to a big mac!
Keema curry is a really popular dish from Indian cuisine but this version uses the slow cooker and takes minutes to prepare in the morning to then serve up hours later. If that takes your fancy check out my Keema curry recipe here.
Maybe you fancy a kebab but the takeaway is closed or you just don’t have the budget for a kebab for everyone? A cheap packet of pitta bread and this doner kebab recipe will be enjoyed by all and much healthier.
Etsy for weight loss
If you are like me and like buying fun new items to motivate your weight loss, then here are my favourites. Etsy is great for kitchen and weight loss goodies. I could spend hours browsing there.
There are so many great food diaries too so you can record your meal plans and track your weight loss to keep a record of the good and bad weeks. Click the photos to have a look for yourself.
Quorn mince recipes
It is really easy to adapt these recipes to use Quorn mince, as a vegetarian myself I do it often. It is always worth remembering that Quorn takes less time to cook when substituting it for mince.
Check out my selection of Quorn recipes, all perfect for all the family whether vegetarian or not, some are vegan too.
More you may find helpful
Fancy 4 weeks of healthy lunches already planned out for you? Check this lunch plan out.
I have other guides to recipes with specific ingredients/diets so do go and have a look at those too. Recipes with chicken, vegetarian and vegan recipes, how to use quark and recipes with it, how to cook perfect rice and recipes with rice, butternut squash tips and recipes and many more just check out my recipes directory. Be sure if you check out anything though to look at the tasty desserts I share here.
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I have a lot of weight loss guides and support if you want to exercise including if you have a condition like fibromyalgia.
Have a good look around and see how I can help you achieve your weight loss goals. Request my free resources to get you started too!
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