<p>Research background. Ginseng is a medicinal herb that has anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, anti-obesity, cardio protective, antioxidant and antimicrobial features. However,&nbsp; there is lack of information in previous reports regarding effects of ginseng extract (GE) on the shelf life and quality features of muscle foods. Thus, it is essential to determine the effects of GE on meat model system to provide a valuable insight for improving the shelf life and quality in muscle foods.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Experimental approach. After determining in vitro antioxidant activity of GE, the antioxidant effect of GE on cooked ground beef was investigated. In vitro antioxidant activity was assigned by ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)&nbsp; scavenging and total phenolic content (TPC) analyzes, whereas lipid oxidation formation, chemical, microbiological and textural changes were determined during 30 days storage. Cooking loss (CL), proximate composition and textural features were measured after thermal processing. pH, CIE color parameters, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), lipid hydroperoxide (LPO), total aerobic mesophilic bacteria, total coliform bacteria, yeast and mold counts were evaluated during refrigerated storage.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Results and conclusions. The mean FRAP (4.66±0.21 mmol Fe+2/g GE), DPPH (IC50:12.11±0.09 mg/mL) and TPC (146.00±2.40 mg GAE/ g GE) values of GE exhibited potential antioxidant capacity. GE addition increased CL (p&lt;0.05). GE incorporation did not influence the proximate composition of ground beef. GE addition caused a decline in pH (p&lt;0.05). Ground beef samples containing 1% or higher GE had lower TBARS in comparison with control (p&lt;0.05). Furthermore, LPO levels of ground beef containing GE were found to be lower than those found in control after 30 days storage (p&lt;0.05). Total aerobic mesophilic bacteria, total coliform bacteria, yeast and mold were not evidenced in all groups except control which had 3.35 log CFU/g total aerobic mesophilic bacteria at the end of storage.&nbsp;</p><p>Novelty and scientific contribution. Results revealed that GE has an important activity in controlling lipid oxidation and may be implemented in the meat industry to provide prolonged shelf life and microbial stability.</p>