Ingredient substitution guide
Best substitutes for ground beef
Best swap for ground beef: Ground turkey, 1:1; leaner, add a little oil to prevent dryness.
How we checked this: these swaps come from the substitution list Well Stockd uses to match recipes, and their ratios follow ordinary kitchen practice rather than one published chart. For exact amounts on many common swaps, see the NDSU and Colorado State University extension tables listed below. Editorial policy
What can I use instead of Ground Beef?
The best swap for Ground Beef is Ground Turkey, 1:1; leaner, add a little oil to prevent dryness. Another option is Ground Pork, 1:1; fattier, slightly sweeter flavor. The table below also lists Ground Lamb and Lentils (Cooked), 4 swaps in all.
| Swap | Ratio and notes |
|---|---|
| Ground turkey | 1:1; leaner, add a little oil to prevent dryness How to use it: Cook it to 165°F, the poultry minimum, rather than the 160°F that ground beef needs. |
| Ground pork | 1:1; fattier, slightly sweeter flavor |
| Ground lamb | 1:1; richer and gamier, good in Mediterranean/Middle Eastern dishes |
| Lentils (cooked) | 1:1 by volume; vegetarian swap in sauces and tacos, no browning How to use it: Rinse canned lentils for a minute to cut their sodium; dry ones simmer tender in 15 to 20 minutes. |
Source and limits
These swaps come from the substitution list Well Stockd uses to match recipes to your kitchen, last updated . We remove swaps known to be unsafe, but not every swap has been tested in a kitchen, and a swap is cooking guidance, not an allergen or nutrition equivalent. Check labels and what the recipe needs before substituting.
The ratios and usage notes follow ordinary kitchen practice rather than a single published chart. These two university extension tables list exact amounts for many common swaps:
- Ingredient Substitutions (FN198), NDSU Extension (opens in a new tab)
- Ingredient Substitutions (9.329), Colorado State University Extension (opens in a new tab)
- FoodSafety.gov, Safe Minimum Internal Temperatures (opens in a new tab)
- Lentils.org, How to Cook Lentils (opens in a new tab)
Browse every ingredient and read how these swaps are sourced.
Read the full guide: Ground turkey instead of ground beef: a 1:1 swap
Buying more? Storage times for ground beef