12 healthy mince recipes

Is mince healthy?

When it comes to making a healthy mince recipe, the most important thing is finding a good-quality mince. Read the label or speak to your butcher in order to choose a product with a high meat content. If saturated fat is a concern, opt for lean varieties of red meats or choose a naturally leaner option, such as turkey mince.

Our best healthy mince recipes

Hole-in-the-wall beef skewers

These kebabs are simple to make. Rather than serve them in a wrap, make them a little healthier by serving them over creamy, fibre-rich hummus, then top with a zesty mix of red onion, sumac and parsley.

Serve with a seasonal veg side for an added nutritional boost.

Lamb koftas with kale salad

Make your own spiced koftas and serve with a healthy brussels sprout and kale salad for a delicious low-carb dinner. Green veg, such as kale and brussels sprouts, are nutritional powerhouses that offer a variety of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fibre.

Best chilli con carne

Our most popular chilli con carne recipe ever, made Tex-Mex-style with aged beef mince, chipotle powder, red wine, dark chocolate and semi-dried tomatoes. Tomatoes offer a dose of the antioxidant lycopene, which helps promote skin health, while cocoa provides depth of flavour and gut-healthy polyphenols.

Healthy kebabs

This light, summery take on the classic kebab is full of the good stuff: turkey mince, feta, lemon and parsley, served in warm pittas with yogurt and salad.

Turkey kheema matar

Put turkey on the menu with this kheema matar (mince and pea curry) dish. Not only does it provide 43.2g protein per portion, but turkey also contains tryptophan – an amino acid that’s required to create serotonin in the body. Serotonin helps regulate mood and is involved in the creation of melatonin, the sleep hormone. It's a great choice for those days where you’re feeling a bit more tired and stressed.

Vegan chilli non carne

This sweet and smoky chilli is the epitome of healthy comfort food, providing plenty of satisfying plant protein and fibre from the beans. The tomato sauce is rich in skin-healthy antioxidants and potassium – important for replenishing your salt balance after a workout. It also freezes well, so it's perfect for busier days.

Easy baked bolognese sauce

Our all-in-one baked bolognese is simple to make and low in calories. It also requires very little preparation time and tastes amazing! It's a great way to sneak in extra veg, and perfect for feeding the whole family. Any leftovers can be easily frozen.

Bone marrow chilli

Check out our easy, comforting chilli recipe made with bone marrow. This is a classic American-style chilli, but with extra depth courtesy of cocoa powder and wonderfully enriching marrow, which is rich in collagen protein.

Turkey ragu

Like a healthier spaghetti bolognese, this turkey ragu is packed with celery, courgette and carrots, plus a little Marmite for added flavour. Use wholemeal pasta for additional fibre. This is also low in saturated fat (1.2g per serving), making it a great heart-healthy option.

Turkey tikka burgers with light coronation slaw

Check out these punchy turkey tikka burgers with a light yet creamy coronation slaw. These easy burgers are simple to make and are packed with plenty of flavour. This recipe offers a unique way to include more fresh, raw vegetables into your diet for added fibre and nutrients.

Healthy meatballs

Minced lamb meatballs get a healthy update with the addition of herb-flecked bulgur wheat. It’s more nutritious, with the same amount of flavour.

Lamb and dill meatballs with horitaki salad

Looking for a light option for lunch or dinner? Prepare a zingy Greek-style salad to serve with healthy homemade lamb meatballs. Lamb is not only rich in protein, but it also offers an impressive nutritional profile including iron, zinc and vitamin B12.

Tracey Raye is the health editor for olive and BBC Good Food. Tracey, MSc, is a registered nutritionist, holding a master’s degree in Personalised Nutrition. She is passionate about harnessing the power of all things health and wellbeing - in a way that enhances, rather than limits our lives. She covers our nourishing recipes and collections, oversees our health strategy and stays adrift of the latest health and lifestyle trends – in order to bring you the tools and inspiration you need to find what health means for you.