Upgrade Ground Beef with This One Simple Ingredient

Meal prepping for my husband and myself makes busy weeknights so much easier, but there’s one issue I run into all the time: ground beef can get repetitive. It’s one of the simplest proteins to cook in bulk and one of the highest in protein, but after a couple of days, it can start to taste a little one-note.

That’s why I always add one ingredient that instantly makes it better: Montreal steak seasoning. It’s a simple shortcut, but it adds a bold, savory flavor not just for steak. It makes ground beef taste like more than just a basic meal prep staple.

What makes it work so well is what’s already in it—a blend of coarse salt, black pepper, garlic, onion, and red pepper that bring depth and a little heat in one shake. If I want to build on it, I’ll add chopped onions, garlic, or sliced scallions—but even on its own, it’s a huge upgrade.

Cook once, turn it into completely different meals

Once the ground beef is cooked and seasoned, you can turn it into totally different meals throughout the week.

• Make a cheeseburger bowl with shredded lettuce, tomatoes, and pickles
• Turn it into a Philly cheesesteak-inspired quesadilla with melted cheese
• Use it for taco night in corn tortillas with salsa and cabbage
• Or try it stuffed into baked potatoes for an easy, filling dinner

It’s the same starting point, but it never feels like you’re eating the same thing twice—which is exactly what trips people up with meal prep. Making one full dish over and over can get boring fast, but prepping just the protein gives you way more flexibility. You’re more likely to actually use it throughout the week instead of letting it sit in the fridge—or worse, throwing it out.

The small change that keeps meal prep interesting

Instead of relying on plain salt and pepper, this one seasoning does all the work for you. It adds flavor, cuts down on extra ingredients, and makes it easy to switch things up depending on what you’re craving.