Beef Mince with Onions (Printable)

Tender beef sautéed with onions and spices, ideal for hearty weeknight meals served with sides.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 lb lean ground beef

→ Vegetables

02 - 2 medium yellow onions, thinly sliced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Pantry

04 - 2 tbsp olive oil
05 - 1 tbsp tomato paste
06 - 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
07 - 1/2 cup beef stock or water

→ Spices & Seasonings

08 - 1 tsp salt, or to taste
09 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
10 - 1/2 tsp dried thyme (optional)
11 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika (optional)

# How to Make It:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, then add sliced onions and cook for 4 to 5 minutes until softened and lightly golden.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
03 - Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes until browned and no longer pink.
04 - Stir in tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, salt, black pepper, thyme, and smoked paprika. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes to blend flavors.
05 - Pour in beef stock or water, stir thoroughly, and bring to a simmer. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
06 - Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve hot over rice, mashed potatoes, or pasta.

# Expert Hacks:

01 -
  • It's ready in 30 minutes flat, which means you can have dinner on the table before anyone gets too hungry and cranky.
  • The caramelized onions add a natural sweetness that makes the beef taste far better than it has any right to.
  • Leftovers are genuinely better the next day, and they freeze beautifully for those nights when cooking feels impossible.
02 -
  • Don't skip the onion caramelization step—rushing it means you miss the sweet, complex flavor that makes this dish special instead of just ordinary.
  • If your sauce looks too thin at the end, let it simmer a bit longer; if it's too thick, add a splash more stock or water and you're fine.
  • Tasting and adjusting seasoning at the end isn't being fussy—it's the difference between a good dish and one that tastes like it was made with love.
03 -
  • Don't wash your pan with soap immediately after—deglaze it with a splash of water or wine while it's still hot to get all those flavorful browned bits into another quick sauce or gravy.
  • If you're cooking for a crowd, this recipe doubles beautifully and actually takes about the same amount of time since you're using a larger pan.

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