How Dollar Stretchers Are Stretching Ground Beef

Ground beef has become one of those grocery items you really feel at the register.

And when prices go up, many households don’t stop buying it. They just start using it differently.

Over the years, Dollar Stretcher readers have shared simple, practical ways they stretch ground beef to make it go further without sacrificing flavor. Many of these ideas use ingredients you already have on hand and can easily double the amount of a meal.

Here are some of their best ideas.

Stretch Ground Beef With Oats, Bread or Simple Fillers

Several readers rely on basic pantry ingredients to make ground beef go further.

Mary Lou shares:

I add dry oatmeal and an egg when making meat patties, along with finely chopped onion and sometimes peppers or celery. My son calls them “meatloaf burgers,” but they’re easier to digest and stretch the meat nicely.

Stephanie uses what she already has:

I add stale bread, torn into small bits, mixed with an egg and spices. This works great for burgers, meatballs and meatloaf.

These simple additions can stretch a pound of beef into more servings with very little extra cost.

Add Grains That Blend In

Grains are another easy way to extend ground beef, especially in mixed dishes.

Carolyn uses bulgur:

I cook bulgur wheat and add it to sloppy joes, chili and Spanish rice. In tomato-based dishes, it looks just like ground beef.

These types of additions work well in meals where the texture blends in naturally.

Mix in Vegetables (and Make Them Disappear)

Adding vegetables is a common strategy—and many readers have found ways to make them nearly unnoticeable.

Carol keeps it simple:

I add grated potato to hamburger for Mexican dishes like tacos and chili.

Mark takes it a step further:

I puree vegetables like cabbage, carrots, peppers and celery and add them while cooking. I also include a filler like lentils, rice or beans. I often double the amount of meat mixture this way, and my family doesn’t notice.

Pureeing or finely chopping vegetables helps them blend into the dish while adding volume and nutrition.

Use Beans for Extra Protein and Volume

Beans are one of the most effective ways to stretch ground beef.

Susan K. from Virginia shares:

I add a chopped bell pepper and a can of black beans to sloppy joes. Once everything simmers together, I end up with almost twice as much. It’s great over a baked potato.

Beans add both bulk and protein, making meals more filling without adding much cost.

Try Plant-Based Add-Ins

Some readers use plant-based proteins to extend meat even further.

Linda uses textured vegetable protein (TVP):

It takes on the flavor of whatever I cook with it. I also add oats and vegetables like carrots, celery and peppers.

These types of ingredients can significantly increase the volume of a dish while keeping the flavor intact.