Mums Know Best: Turn Your Picky Eater Kid into a Food Lover With These 3 Savoury Mince Recipes
I still remember the days when my little ankle-biters would rather starve than eat the meals I’d prepared for them. Mealtimes always seem like a battleground for my kids, day in and day out! As a mum who’s been there and done that, I know it takes more than just cooking talent to get nutritious and delicious food into their picky mouths. I’m here to pass on my hard-won secrets for tempting hard-to-please kids and partners! I’ve cracked the code with these three crafty, yummy, and savoury mince recipes that will get your picky eaters cleaning off their plates quickly. From mini meatballs and burgers to Taco Tuesday fun, it’s time to grab your aprons and get cooking!
The Fussy and Picky Eater Conundrum
As a parent who’s been in the picky eater trenches for years, I understand firsthand how stressful and limiting it can be. My son once ate nothing but plain pasta and chicken nuggets for an entire year! And my daughter still shudders at the mere mention of vegetables. I remember how we used to survive on takeouts! Now, I only make fun of that phase in our lives and jokingly call it “Picky Eater Purgatory.” There are a lot of reasons why kids just won’t eat certain types of food. These can include limited palates, texture aversions, and fear of new foods. Child psychologists say that picky eating habits can be linked to sensory sensitivity issues. While the picky eater stage can be normal for kids, it’s recommended to intervene earlier so you can switch to a healthier and more balanced diet.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, only a mere 6.1% of adults managed to consume the recommended portions of both fruits and vegetables, compared to 8.5% of children who achieved the recommended intake for both food categories.
Why mince is a good choice?
From spag bol to meat pies, most kids are already well acquainted with savoury, crumbly mince. No surprise there—these protein-packed meat mixtures are kid-pleasers thanks to their approachable texture and comforting flavours. Whether it’s beef, lamb, pork, or chicken, mincing meat creates tiny pieces that little mouths find easy to manage. Not only that! Mince is brilliant in its ability to disguise vegetables and other ingredients to trick your kids into eating their veggies. By mincing, grating, or pureeing vegetables completely, they can seamlessly blend into the mix without your kids even noticing them. I remember sneaking some chopped broccoli into the meatball mix and serving it with a cheesy, creamy sauce. I was so shocked to see that they almost licked the entire plate clean, not having a single drop of sauce or meat left over. I felt like a winner! Aside from being delicious and easy to use in almost any kind of recipe, minced meat is packed with protein, vitamin B12, and iron.
The 3 Savoury Mince Recipe Heroes You’ll Be Glad You Know
1. Mini Cheesy Meatball and Chips
Ingredients:
- 500g lean mince (beef, lamb, pork, or a mix!)
- 1/2 cup grated carrot or zucchini (sneaky veggie ninja!)
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 1/8 cup minced mushrooms
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Grated mozzarella cheese
Procedure:
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Get your hands dirty (and maybe get the kids to join the fun!) Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
- Take the mixture and flatten, place some cheese into the centre and roll the mixture into balls.
- Roll the mixture into bite-sized balls so your kids can grab them with ease. They don’t have to be perfectly round. Choose shapes and sizes your kids will enjoy.
- Line a baking tray with baking paper and gently place your meatballs on it.
- Pop them in the oven for 15-20 minutes, or until cooked through and golden brown.
- Prepare the dipping sauces according to your and your child’s preferences. It could be a cream-based sauce, marinara, sweet and chilli, BBQ or even honey mustard!
2. Taco Cup Tuesday
Ingredients:
- 500g mince – you can use your choice of mince whether it’s chicken, beef, pork, lamb or even plant-based.
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 Tbsp. chopped coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon chilli powder
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 1/4 cup beef broth
- Small taco shells, taco cups, or even corn chips, or lettuce wraps
- Shredded mixed cheese, lettuce, diced tomato, avocado salsa, hot sauce, sour cream, shredded cabbage – the sky’s the limit!
Procedure:
- Get some olive oil and heat it in a skillet or pan. Add your minced meat while the pan is sizzling hot. Saute until it reaches a golden brown colour.
- Add the aromatics, such as onion and garlic. Saute until the onions are a bit translucent.
- Stir in cumin, chilli powder, and tomato paste.
- Pour in the beef broth and simmer for 5 minutes, or until the mixture thickens. Add the freshly chopped coriander and give it a mix. Set aside.
- Fill your taco shells or lettuce wraps with the spiced mince, then go crazy with the toppings you desire.
3. Kid-friendly Shepherd’s Pie
Ingredients:
- 500g mince—choose your meat! It could be chicken, pork, beef, or lamb.
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 Tbsp, minced garlic
- 1 carrot, grated
- 1 celery stick, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1/4 cup beef broth
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Peeled and boiled potatoes for mashed potato
- Cheese, milk, and butter
Procedure:
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Heat a pan and add olive oil. Saute the carrots, celery, onions, and garlic. When it becomes fragrant, add the mince.
- Stir in tomato paste, beef broth, thyme, oregano, paprika, and bay leaf. Switch to low to medium heat and let the mixture simmer for at least 10 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Let the mixture cool down.
- Spoon the mince mixture into a baking dish. Be generous!
- Mash potatoes with a masher in a separate bowl.
- Heat some milk and butter in a pot. Season with salt and pepper. When it comes to a simmer, slowly add this mixture to the bowl with the mashed potatoes, incorporating them to create a smooth texture.
- Layer the mashed potato on top of the spiced mince mixture.
- Sprinkle a layer of cheese on top for the lava-like gooey goodness!
- Bake in the oven until the cheese melts and browns.
Mince FAQ
Eating raw ground meat or mince can pose health risks. Raw meat can contain pathogens like salmonella and E.coli that can cause serious illness. The microscopic spears of these pathogens can pierce intestinal walls and release harmful toxins inside. These can cause mild to severe nausea, cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea, which can last for over a week.
If you’re looking for a wonderful alternative to minced beef, you’re in luck! We have some delicious options that pack a punch in flavour and nutrients.
- Lamb mince
- Lean pork mince
- Grated tofu
- Chicken mince
- Lentils (beans)
Of course, minced meat can be stored in your freezer if needed. We recommend freezing your minced meat immediately after purchase for optimal flavour. One other tip we can give you is to divide your minced meat into sizable portions for easier thawing and compact storage. Frozen minced meat can be stored for 2 to 3 months.
