Savor the season with California Beef Council's 12 Days of Beef
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PRESENTED BY:
You could say we’ve all got a “beef” with 2020.
By now, we’re ready to put the year behind us and welcome 2021 with open arms. But let’s not forget we still have the holidays to look forward to. This year, cook away the woes of these past months with some beef recipes sure to keep your stomach happy all the way through New Year’s. We’ve compiled a list of 12 ways to incorporate beef into your holiday meals as you prepare to wave farewell to 2020.
Crank these recipes out in 12 consecutive days or spread them out over the next couple of months; the choice is yours. No matter how you tackle this calendar of beef, these 12 days are primed to satisfy the largest of appetites.
1. Appetizers
On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...a platter of mini meatballs!
To kick off the 12 Days of Beef, we’re starting small. We’ve got to work our way up to the grand finale. Don’t underestimate these little dishes though, they pack quite the flavor punch. Plus, nobody said anything about picking just one appetizer. Why not do an entire dinner of tiny bites instead of a traditional meal?
Try these mini meatball skewers with cranberry barbecue sauce, the perfect combo of holiday color and flavor. You’d also be remiss if you didn’t try these artful beef crostini with parmesan crisps and balsamic drizzle. Both of these recipes are heart-healthy too!
HOLIDAY MINI-BEEF MEATBALL SKEWERS WITH CRANBERRY BARBECUE SAUCE
BEEF CROSTINI WITH PARMESAN CRISPS AND BALSAMIC DRIZZLE
Courtesy of BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com
Courtesy of BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com
2. Breakfast
You read that right. Breakfast. There are so many options when it comes to incorporating beef into the first meal of the day. Starting with this beef breakfast pizza. Doesn’t it look magnificent? Or if you prefer something lighter, check out these beef breakfast rolls. You can customize them to your family’s taste by filling them with onions, peppers, salsa, or whatever your heart desires.
If you want more guidance on navigating the holiday with dietary restrictions, Kori Dover, RD, is ready to share her expert advice.
EASY BEEF BREAKFAST ROLLS
Courtesy of BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com
Courtesy of BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com
3. Taco Bar
If you’ve got kids, they’ll love this. Besides, after so much distance learning this year, they certainly deserve it. Setting up a taco bar is easy, and creating a topping station is just plain fun. You can make a few different varieties of beef that appeal to everyone too. Here are a few to get you started: confetti beef tacos, asian steak street tacos and buffalo-style beef tacos.
This idea came from food blogger Whitney Bond, and she’s got plenty more ideas when it comes to entertaining for the holidays.
4. Slow Cooker Comforts
The holidays are all about getting cozy and enjoying time with loved ones. If you’ve got a slow cooker and some board games, you’re already halfway to a good old-fashioned game night. There’s no shortage of slow-cooker recipes for you to test either. This beef pot roast soup is sure to warm you up from the inside out. Whiskey molasses shredded beef is a no-brainer. And then there’s beef risotto, which is both simple and quick.
BEEF BREAKFAST PIZZA OLE
Courtesy of BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com
SLOW-COOKER BEEF POT ROAST SOUP
Courtesy of BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com
SLOW-COOKED WHISKEY-MOLASSES SHREDDED BEEF
This idea came from food blogger Whitney Bond, and she’s got plenty more ideas when it comes to entertaining for the holidays.
Courtesy of BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com
TBD
Courtesy of BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com
TBD
5. Virtual Cocktail Party
For friends and family that can’t come over, plan a virtual cocktail party! Share food and drink recipes among your group to sample together. Your group will definitely want to give this honey apple rosé sangria a try, or this cranberry apple Moscow mule punch.
With a little bit of extra pre-planning, you can even do a gift exchange. Just ship your gifts to one another in advance and open them during the video chat.
6. Explore New Flavors
We’ve hit the halfway mark! That means it’s time to up the ante and get a little experimental. There are so many different rubs and seasonings you can add to your beef to level-up the flavor. Garlic-thyme, lemon-pepper, ancho chili — the possibilities are endless. Take a look at the video below for some other ideas. ’Tis the season(ings)!
7. Beef Charcuterie Board
A beef charcuterie board is a simple way to prepare supper, especially if you’re running tight on time. Use leftovers and just about anything in your pantry or fridge to create a beautiful board. If you tried a flavor or two mentioned in #6, this is a perfect opportunity to test out different flavor combinations. Add some fruit and veggies on the side and you’re good to go!
For more on creating the perfect charcuterie board, check out our how-to guide.
8. Practice Runs & Roast Hacks
Before the grand finale, you might want to try a practice run with your roast. Not everything goes according to plan (looking at you, 2020). Knowing how to salvage your meal in case something goes wrong will help lower your stress levels when hungry guests are waiting on the main course. Check out the video below for some easy holiday hacks to help you prepare.
9. Quick Eats
This time of year, you’re probably a little busy. It’s always a good idea to have a recipe in your back pocket that can be whipped together in a flash. Whether you just don’t have the time to spare, or the “What’s for dinner?” question caught you off guard, you’ll need something easy and fast. This Mongolian beef recipe takes just 20 minutes to prepare, but from the looks and taste of it, your family will think you had it planned all along.
Courtesy of BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com
MONGOLIAN BEEF
10. Lighter Fare
We’re nearing the end, so you’ve got to pace yourself. Holiday dishes can often be heavy, but there are lighter beef dishes out there that are perfect for this time of year. This beef tenderloin, cranberry and pear salad with chopped pecans and goat cheese is not only quick to make but nutritious too!
Courtesy of BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com
BEEF TENDERLOIN, CRANBERRY AND PEAR SALAD
11. Ground Beef Favorites
In anticipation of the grand finale, do something simple and fall back on the classics: one-dish beef stroganoff, easy skillet chili mac, or homemade beef pasta sauce.
Any one of these recipes is bound to stir up nostalgic memories and thoughts of family. It’s the perfect way to unwind before the holiday season comes to a close.
12. The Show-Stopper
This is it. The big day. And there’s really no other way to close out this holiday season and this year than with a classic roast. Rib roast with horseradish sauce, to be precise. Whether you’re a master or a novice, this recipe is surprisingly simple. Check out the video below for a step-by-step tutorial.
If you’re eager for more beef recipes for this year’s holidays or beyond, visit beefitswhatsfordinner.com.