Looking to add a little more heft to your weekly meals? Well, you’re in luck. Here are 21 hearty eats that’ll do just that, with a focus on meats to bring some serious satisfaction to your table. Each one of these meals is a powerhouse of flavor and heartiness, designed to fill you up and keep you going.
These aren’t just any dishes; they’re the kind that stick to your ribs and warm you from the inside out. Perfect for those chilly evenings or when you’re just craving something meaty, this lineup has something for every meat lover. It’s about turning the ordinary into something extraordinary.
Each recipe is a testament to the joy of cooking and eating well, offering up not just meals but experiences. They’re the kind of dishes that make dinner something to look forward to, bringing everyone to the table with eager anticipation. Get ready to indulge in some of the best meat dishes out there, and make your week a whole lot tastier in the process.
Jewish Brisket
Slow-cooked to achieve its signature tenderness, this brisket is a cornerstone of Jewish cuisine, melding the rich flavors of meat with a savory sauce. It’s a dish that commands attention at any meal, turning special occasions into memorable feasts. Enjoyed by generations, this brisket recipe continues to be a symbol of tradition and comfort.
Get the Recipe: Jewish Brisket
Beef Bulgogi Bowls
Packed with marinated, grilled beef and served over a bed of steaming rice, these bowls are a flavorful journey to Korea. They’re quick to assemble and customizable with your favorite vegetables, making weekday meals both easy and exciting. Each bite is a blend of savory and sweet, proving that fast food can be healthy and homemade.
Get the Recipe: Beef Bulgogi Bowls
Korean Hot Dogs
A street food sensation, Korean hot dogs offer a twist on the American classic by coating them in a thick batter, frying them, and finishing with a sprinkle of sugar. They’re a fun, crunchy on the outside, and juicy on the inside treat that blends savory and sweet in every bite. Perfect for adventurous eaters, these hot dogs are a conversation starter and a taste bud pleaser.
Get the Recipe: Korean Hot Dogs
Candied Bacon
Taking bacon to a sweet dimension, this treat is oven-baked with a generous coating of sugar and spices until caramelized. It’s an irresistible snack that combines the smokiness of bacon with the indulgent sweetness of candy. Candied bacon is a versatile favorite that can elevate breakfast plates, burgers, or serve as a standalone delight.
Get the Recipe: Candied Bacon
Air Fryer Lamb Chops
Seasoned and cooked in the air fryer, these lamb chops achieve a perfect crust outside and remain tender inside. They offer a gourmet experience with minimal effort, making any dinner feel like a special occasion. This recipe proves that elegant meals don’t require hours in the kitchen, just a good cut of meat and the right seasoning.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Lamb Chops
Beef Birria
Originating from Mexico, beef birria is stewed in a rich and complex sauce until it reaches pull-apart tenderness. Traditionally served with tortillas, it can be enjoyed as a taco filling or as a standalone stew. This dish brings warmth and depth to the table, embodying the soulful cooking of Mexican cuisine.
Get the Recipe: Beef Birria
Instant Pot Ham
The Instant Pot transforms cooking ham by locking in moisture and flavor, producing a main dish that’s both succulent and delicious. It’s a hassle-free method that yields results worthy of any holiday or family gathering. This recipe offers a modern twist on the classic ham, simplifying the cooking process without sacrificing taste.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Ham
Lamb Kofta Kebabs
These kebabs mix ground lamb with herbs and spices, then grilled to perfection. They’re a taste of Middle Eastern cuisine, perfect for outdoor grilling or broiling indoors. Lamb kofta kebabs are a flavorful, protein-packed option that brings the exotic to your everyday meals.
Get the Recipe: Lamb Kofta Kebabs
Char Siu
This dish is celebrated for its sweet and savory glaze, giving the pork a signature red hue and a flavor that’s deeply satisfying. Often served with rice or noodles, char siu is a versatile ingredient that can enhance many dishes. It’s a testament to the art of Chinese barbecue, offering a deliciously different way to enjoy pork.
Get the Recipe: Char Siu
Crispy Beef
Thin strips of beef are coated, fried, and tossed in a sauce that clings to each crispy piece. It’s a dish that offers both texture and flavor, making it an addictive addition to any meal. Crispy beef is a playful way to enjoy beef, combining the joy of crunch with the richness of a sweet and savory coating.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Beef
Instant Pot Country Ribs
Country ribs become effortlessly tender in the Instant Pot, soaking up a barbecue sauce that’s both tangy and sweet. This method takes the guesswork out of rib-making, ensuring a mouthwatering result every time. Serve these ribs at your next gathering to rave reviews, enjoying the simplicity and deliciousness of perfectly cooked pork.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Country Ribs
Dan Dan Noodles
A spicy, sichuan peppercorn-laden dish, Dan Dan Noodles are a beloved part of Chinese cuisine, offering a satisfying mix of heat, savory pork, and chewy noodles. Each bite delivers a complex layer of flavors that’s both invigorating and comforting. This noodle dish is ideal for those looking to spice up their meal routine with something bold and memorable.
Get the Recipe: Dan Dan Noodles
Grilled Flank Steak with Chile Butter
The smoky flavor of grilled flank steak is elevated with a dollop of homemade chile butter, melting into the meat and adding a rich, spicy depth. It’s a straightforward dish that packs a punch, ideal for impressing guests or treating yourself. The combination of tender steak and flavorful butter makes this dish a standout, proving that sometimes, simplicity is the key to culinary success.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Flank Steak with Chile Butter
Instant Pot Kalua Pork
Effortlessly cooked in an Instant Pot, this Kalua pork captures the essence of Hawaiian cuisine with its smoky flavor and tender texture. It’s a hassle-free way to bring a taste of the islands to your table, requiring little work for a big payoff. This dish turns any meal into a luau, making it a hit for family dinners or special gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Kalua Pork
Hoisin Beef
This beef is stir-fried in a rich hoisin sauce, offering a perfect balance of sweet and savory that elevates it beyond the ordinary. Quick to make and packed with flavor, it’s an ideal choice for a weeknight meal that feels special. Serve this hoisin beef over rice or noodles for a complete dish that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Hoisin Beef
Fried Pork and Shrimp Wontons
A crispy, golden treat filled with a savory mix of pork and shrimp, these wontons are a delight to eat. Perfect for a homemade dim sum experience, they’re surprisingly simple to make and even easier to enjoy. Dipping them in your favorite sauce turns each bite into a flavor explosion, sure to make your lunch the envy of the office.
Get the Recipe: Fried Pork and Shrimp Wontons
Beef Yakisoba
Quick and packed with veggies and tender beef, yakisoba is a stir-fried noodle dish that’s as colorful as it is delicious. It’s a versatile recipe that lets you clean out the fridge and still end up with something amazing. This dish brings the vibrant streets of Japan to your kitchen table, proving fast food can be fresh and flavorful.
Get the Recipe: Beef Yakisoba
Instant Pot Pho
This Instant Pot version of the Vietnamese classic makes it possible to enjoy deeply flavorful pho at home without hours of simmering. With spices, herbs, and slices of tender beef, it’s a bowlful of comfort any time you need it. This pho brings the complex flavors of Vietnamese cuisine to your dinner table with a fraction of the effort, warming you from the inside out.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Pho
Air Fryer Pork Belly
Achieving crispy, crackling pork belly is a breeze with the air fryer, turning out pieces that are juicy on the inside with a golden exterior. It’s a dish that’s both indulgent and impressively easy to make, perfect for when you want to treat yourself. This pork belly can star in a variety of dishes or be enjoyed on its own, making it a versatile favorite.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Pork Belly
Korean Bulgogi Tacos
These tacos fuse Korean bulgogi’s sweet and savory flavors with the handheld convenience of a taco, creating a cross-cultural culinary delight. They’re a playful way to enjoy traditional Korean barbecue, wrapped up in a soft tortilla. Bulgogi tacos are a testament to the joy of mixing flavors and traditions, offering a meal that’s as fun to make as it is to eat.
Get the Recipe: Korean Bulgogi Tacos
Instant Pot Spare Ribs
Tender and flavorful, these spare ribs become fall-off-the-bone ready in a fraction of the traditional cooking time thanks to the Instant Pot. They’re smothered in a tangy sauce that caramelizes under the broiler, creating a sticky, mouthwatering finish. This dish brings the satisfaction of slow-cooked ribs to your table any night of the week, making it a family favorite.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Spare Ribs