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Best Substitute for Ground Beef (2026)

The best substitutes for ground beef, ranked by use case — from ground turkey and ground pork to lentils and plant-based meat. With ratios and cooking adjustments.

Quick Answer

The best substitute for ground beef is ground turkey — it works in virtually every recipe that calls for ground beef, with a 1:1 ratio by weight and significantly less fat. Use 93% lean ground turkey and add 1 tablespoon of oil per 450g to compensate for the lower fat content.

For richer dishes like meatloaf and meatballs, ground pork is an excellent swap — fattier and more flavourful, often used as a 50/50 blend with beef in traditional recipes. For plant-based cooking, Impossible or Beyond ground meat offers the most beef-like texture and browns similarly in tacos and chili.

We analysed substitution patterns across 50+ ground beef recipes on Prep and Chef to rank the best alternatives by use case — lentils deserve a mention as the budget-friendly powerhouse that works beautifully in chili, bolognese, and shepherd's pie. See the full comparison below.

All Substitutes

Rank Substitute Ratio Best For Notes
1 93% lean ground turkey 1:1 by weight All-round best · Tacos, chili, bolognese Leaner and milder than beef. Add 1 tbsp oil per 450g to compensate for less fat. Season more aggressively — turkey absorbs spice well but needs a heavier hand.
2 Ground pork 1:1 by weight Meatloaf, meatballs, bolognese Fattier with a richer flavour. Often used as a 50/50 blend with beef — traditional in Italian meatballs and meatloaf. More forgiving in baked dishes.
3 Lean ground chicken 1:1 by weight Tacos, stir-fry, lettuce wraps Very lean — add moisture with oil or grated zucchini. Milder flavour needs bolder seasoning. Works best in heavily sauced or spiced dishes.
4 Impossible or Beyond ground 1:1 by weight Tacos, chili, bolognese Best meat-like texture of all plant options. Browns similarly to beef. Higher sodium — reduce added salt. Works in any loose-meat application.
5 Finely diced cremini or portobello mushrooms 450g mushrooms per 450g beef Bolognese, tacos, stuffed peppers Deep umami flavour. Cook until all moisture evaporates for best texture. Often works best as a 50/50 blend with meat or another substitute.
6 Brown or green lentils, cooked 1 cup dried per 450g beef Chili, bolognese, sloppy joes, shepherd's pie Budget-friendly with high protein and fibre. Cook until just tender — they'll continue softening in sauced dishes. Won't work for patties or meatballs.
7 Textured vegetable protein, rehydrated 1 cup TVP + 1 cup water per 450g beef Chili, tacos, sloppy joes Cheapest option and shelf-stable. Absorbs seasoning exceptionally well — needs bold spices. Best in heavily sauced dishes where texture differences are less noticeable.

When to Use Which

What can I use instead of ground beef in meatloaf and meatballs?

Ground turkey is the easiest swap — use a 1:1 ratio and add a tablespoon of oil to keep things moist. Ground pork is even better for meatballs — it's the traditional Italian choice, often used as a 50/50 blend with beef for richer flavour and better texture.

Best Meatball Recipes

What can I use instead of ground beef in chili?

Ground turkey works perfectly at a 1:1 ratio — the bold spices in chili mask any flavour difference. Lentils are the budget-friendly option and add excellent texture to long-simmered chili. Use 1 cup dried lentils per 450g beef.

Best Chili Recipes

What can I use instead of ground beef in tacos?

Ground turkey and plant-based ground (Impossible or Beyond) are both excellent taco swaps — 1:1 ratio, and the bold seasoning does the heavy lifting. Plant-based ground browns similarly and is nearly indistinguishable in a loaded taco.

Best Ground Beef Taco Recipes

What can I use instead of ground beef in bolognese and pasta sauces?

Ground pork adds richness that works beautifully in a slow-simmered bolognese — it's traditional in many Italian recipes. Finely chopped mushrooms bring deep umami and are excellent as a 50/50 blend. Lentils also work well in long-cooked sauces.

Best Bolognese Recipes

What can I use instead of ground beef in stuffed peppers and casseroles?

Ground turkey is the simplest swap for stuffed peppers and casseroles — same ratio, similar texture. Cooked lentils work well too, especially mixed with rice. Add extra seasoning and a splash of broth to keep things moist.

Best Stuffed Peppers Recipes

What can I use instead of ground beef in burgers and patties?

Ground turkey makes a solid burger — add Worcestershire sauce and a tablespoon of oil to boost flavour and moisture. Plant-based patties (Impossible or Beyond) are the closest match for beef burger texture. Note: lentils and mushrooms don't hold a patty shape well on their own.

Best Burger Recipes

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Recipes Using Ground Beef

These recipes work great with any of the substitutes above.

Best Meatloaf

Ground turkey or a 50/50 beef-pork blend

Top pick: Natasha's Kitchen's Meatloaf with the Best Glaze

Best Chili

Ground turkey or lentils work perfectly

Top pick: Sugar Spun Run's The Best Chili

Best Burger

Ground turkey or plant-based patties

Top pick: Serious Eats's Ultra-Smashed Cheeseburger

Best Ground Beef Tacos

Ground turkey or plant-based ground

Top pick: The Wholesome Dish's The Best Homemade Tacos

Best Meatballs

Ground pork or a beef-pork blend is traditional

Top pick: I Heart Naptime's Easy Meatball Recipe

Best Bolognese

Ground pork or finely chopped mushrooms

Top pick: BBC Good Food's The Best Spaghetti Bolognese

Best Stuffed Peppers

Ground turkey or cooked lentils

Top pick: Once Upon a Chef's Stuffed Peppers

Best Shepherd's Pie

Ground turkey or cooked lentils

Top pick: Once Upon a Chef's Shepherd's Pie

Best Sloppy Joes

Ground turkey or lentils

Top pick: Natasha's Kitchen's Sloppy Joe Recipe

Best Lasagna

Ground turkey or a beef-pork blend

Top pick: Allrecipes's World's Best Lasagna

Best Salisbury Steak

Ground turkey with extra Worcestershire

Top pick: Belly Full's Salisbury Steak

Best Ground Beef Stroganoff

Ground turkey or mushrooms

Top pick: Natasha's Kitchen's Ground Beef Stroganoff

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?
Yes — use a 1:1 ratio by weight. Ground turkey is leaner, so add 1 tablespoon of oil per 450g to compensate for less fat. Season more aggressively — turkey has a milder flavour that benefits from extra spice. In our testing across 50+ recipes, ground turkey worked as a direct swap in every application from tacos to meatloaf.
What's a good plant-based substitute for ground beef?
Impossible or Beyond ground meat is the best option for tacos, chili, and bolognese — it browns similarly and has the most beef-like texture. For a whole-food option, cooked lentils work well in chili and sauced dishes. Finely chopped mushrooms add deep umami and work best as a 50/50 blend. TVP is the cheapest shelf-stable option.
Can I mix ground pork with ground beef?
Yes — a 50/50 blend is classic for meatloaf, meatballs, and bolognese. The pork adds fat and flavour while the beef provides structure. Many traditional Italian recipes call for this blend specifically. You can also do a 50/50 beef-pork-veal blend (meatloaf mix) for even more complexity.
What's the cheapest substitute for ground beef?
Dried lentils and TVP (textured vegetable protein) are by far the cheapest — a fraction of the cost of ground beef with high protein content. A bag of dried lentils can substitute for several pounds of ground beef. Both work best in heavily sauced or spiced dishes like chili, sloppy joes, and bolognese.
Can I substitute ground chicken for ground beef?
Yes, but ground chicken is very lean — add oil or grated zucchini for moisture, and use bold seasoning. It works best in dishes with strong flavours like tacos, stir-fries, and lettuce wraps. For meatloaf or meatballs, mix in breadcrumbs soaked in milk to keep things moist.
How do I substitute mushrooms for ground beef?
Finely dice cremini or portobello mushrooms and cook them over medium-high heat until all moisture evaporates — this concentrates their umami flavour and improves texture. They work best as a 50/50 blend with meat or another substitute, especially in bolognese, tacos, and stuffed peppers. On their own, they won't hold a patty shape.
See all ground beef recipes

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