Lean Cuisine Beef Portabello

June 4, 2007 | Reviewer: Rebecca

Lean Cuisine Beef Portabello Price: $2.50
Serving: 1 meal, 9 oz.
Calories: 220
Fat: 9%, 6g
Cholesterol: 10%, 30mg
Sodium: 28%, 660mg
Carbohydrates: 8%, 25g
Fiber: 8%, 2g
Protein: 16g
Weight Watchers Points: 4 Points

Lean Cuisine says: Tender pieces of roasted beef in a rich portabello mushroom sauce, accompanied by whipped potatoes made with red skin potatoes, carmelized onions, roasted garlic and chives.

Rebecca says: There is something to be said for the appearance of a dish. The fact that a dish looks relatively unappetizing when it is removed from the microwave could be a sign of disaster. But sometimes, I can be talked out of my initial reaction. So I showed my food to Abi and to Jenn and they both supported my initial hypothesis that my beef portabello looked disgusting. When food looks disgusting (there is a bit of a crust on the potatoes and a thin film on top of the meat portion), that's usually internalized as an omen of bad taste.

The appearance of the food could have been overcome. Sometimes things look bad and taste delicious (and vice versa) but this dish also had a problem with texture. The whipped potatoes, the "cooked beef product,"? the mushrooms didn't really mesh well together and even mixing the potatoes into the sauce didn't work out.

Yes the mushrooms were tasty but my threshold for mushrooms is extremely low. Also, they were so drenched in sauce that I could only distinguish by texture and taste rather than by appearance.

I like the idea of mushrooms, roast beef and mashed potatoes but should have known that mushrooms, roasted beef and whipped potatoes was not the same thing. Don't be seduced by a sale or the desire to try something new. This doesn't taste like how mama used to make it or even how the cafeteria lady used to make it. If you see it in the store, make the wise choice and walk on by.

comments

17 Responses to “Lean Cuisine Beef Portabello”

sarah on June 4th, 2007

This is the worst Lean Cuisine I have ever eaten. I accidentally purchased it along with a stack of other LC’s and decided to give it a try. Bad, bad, decision.
Emily on June 4th, 2007

If there’s anything I’ve learned from this blog, it is that beef does not do well in microwaved meals, especially if they are supposed to be healthy.
Abi Jones on June 4th, 2007

@Sarah- What are some other horrid Lean Cuisines you’ve tried?

@Emily- That is probably the most important thing anyone should take home from reading HeatEatReview.com. The beef category is just one big disaster area.

There was one especially disturbing piece of beef that had been cooked above the level of the gravy.
MaryAnne on June 4th, 2007

And shrimp. Don’t buy frozen shrimp. Ever. That’s actually the most important lesson I’ve learned from HER. Also that you can’t judge a meal by its cover. Ever.

You could do a whole entry on lessons on frozen food from HER.
Louise on June 5th, 2007

I didn’t like this entree much either, but there IS one beef entree from Lean Cuisine that was not a horrible experience - Southern Beef Tips. Mmm..
Julie A on June 5th, 2007

I’m pretty rough on Lean Cuisine because of their teeny portions when I can get a Marie Callander for the same price on sale at Safeway thats 3X the size.

Beef is pretty odd in frozen dinners. Once again, I have to give Marie Callander credit for their Roast Beef Dinner. It’s about the best beef (as far as close to seeming like real food…you know what I mean.) frozen meal I’ve experienced.

Shrimp is a real odd one as well for me in general. I’m super picky about it in a frozen dinner. I can call the local Chinese Delivery place for some Prawn whatever and feel that’s a better option.

I could review those Gorton Shrimp Bowls for you. Preview: they suck.
Julie A on June 5th, 2007

Oh and as far as health/caloric stuff if I tried to live off of Lean Cuisine I would collapse from lack of protein. Which is why I’ve done meticulous studies of the nutrition labels on anything and everything frozen dinner wise.

I really could write a book…or do a blog. But that’s HER’s job imo. That’s how I found out about you. Now don’t you feel special?
Colleen on June 6th, 2007

Just wondering, when is the vlog coming?
sarah on June 6th, 2007

The only other truly awful LC I have has was the Spa Salmon. Fish also was not meant for the microwave. In general, I go for the meatless Lean Cuisines as meat can be so unpredictable. Needing to eat a vending machine candy bar to take the awful salmon taste out of my mouth kind of defeats the purpose of a Lean Cuisine, you know?
Abi Jones on June 6th, 2007

Don’t expect the vlog until some time after July 1st. I went to buy the meal last week (Kid Cuisine was on sale at Safeway) and it was the only variety of Kid Cuisine they did not have in stock.
Sunshyning on June 8th, 2007

Call me a freak, but I didn’t think it was that bad. Tiny itty bitty portions, but if you mix the beef slurry with the potaotes, it’s pretty edible.

They don’t have a very consistent quality level though, so maybe I got lucky.
Amber on June 9th, 2007

Every once in awhile, I’ll see a beef LC, and think “Surely, it can’t be that bad…” and then I’ll remember the picture of the infamous hunan beef with brocoli and remember that it probably is that bad.

Thank you, HER, for saving me money that I would have stupidly spent on frozen beef entrees!
Tracy on June 13th, 2007

There are a few frozen dinners with beef that are good: LC Southern Beef Tips and HC Beef Teryaki.

Back when Uncle Ben’s Rice Bowls were around, they also had a good Beef with Broccoli bowl.
Katie on June 13th, 2007

I just found you today and I’m so glad! I went to the store during lunch but made sure to read your LC reviews before doing so.

I ended up with Turkey tenderloins, stuffing, and apples (yay dessert!).
Thanks to you, I know that LC doesn’t exactly do… beef.
I am ever so appreciative of the work you do!
Lindsey on June 24th, 2007

I really like the flavor of the beef in this one, actually. Unfortunately, 5 small pieces of good-tasting beef doesn’t quite make up for those potatoes.
Shannon on January 16th, 2008

I have to agree on the beef with the exception of the steak, cheddar, and mushroom panini. It is fabulous!!!
aut on April 15th, 2008

i purchased this but mine had broccoli with it and it was very good!! so maybe the meal with MP was gross. but i liked the meat