How Lean Should Your Ground Beef Be

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Ready for a more flavorful improver to your recipes? Learn how to melt ground beefiness the right style with our step-by-step guide.

Many recipes begin past telling readers to "brown the ground beefiness," simply don't explain how. Is information technology easy? Yep—but there are still ways it tin can become wrong. Here'due south how to cook ground beef the right fashion, so it's tender, full of flavor and ready to use in your favorite ground beef recipes.

Use this method whether yous demand to know how to cook footing beef for tacos, how to cook basis beefiness for spaghetti, or any other dish you're craving for dinner.

How to Cook and Brown Ground Beef

This recipe is for 1 pound of ground beef and is ready in 8 to 10 minutes. For larger amounts of meat, use a large skillet or brown the meat in batches.

Ingredients

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• 1 pound ground beef
• Salt and pepper, to season the beef once cooked

Editor'southward Tip: If using very lean ground beef or a stainless steel skillet prone to sticking, add a tablespoon or ii of vegetable oil to the pan earlier adding the beef.

Tools You lot'll Demand

• A stainless steel, bandage iron or nonstick skillet is a must. Await for a expert-quality pan that distributes heat evenly.
• A sturdy wooden spoon or spatula similar this one is perfect for breaking up the ground meat during cooking.
• This gadget helps to easily drain grease from the pan. A colander will also do the play a joke on.

Directions

Step one: Heat your skillet

Ready a medium- to large-sized skillet on a burner set to medium-high heat. Allow the pan to get hot.

Step 2: Break up and add the beef

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Tear the ground beef into chunks and add to the hot pan in a single layer.

Pace 3: Let the beef to cook

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Let the beefiness cook without moving it for the first 5 minutes. The beef will brainstorm to brown and develop color along the bottom.

Step 4: Break upward and motion beef around

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Use a wooden spoon to break up the larger chunks of beef and gently move the beefiness around. Y'all don't want to overwork the meat; just movement it enough to dark-brown it evenly. If the bottom is getting also dark, plough the oestrus downwards to medium.

Step 5: Drain the grease

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Melt the beef a few minutes more than until it's browned and no pinkish colour remains. Use a draining utensil, a strainer or even a pocket-sized plate to pour off most of the grease into a heat-proof container. (Never pour grease down the drain!) Keep a minor corporeality of fatty in with the beefiness; this will assist the meat stay moist and flavorful.

Apply your browned meat right away in one of these creative ground beefiness recipes or, if saving it for later, allow information technology to cool. So spoon it into a sealed container and shop in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. (Learn how to tell if basis beef is bad.) To freeze information technology, put the cooked-and-cooled beef in a freezer-safe  zip-close bag and press out all the air. Keep it frozen for up to 3 months.

Tips for Cooking with Ground Beef

Defrost Frozen Basis Beef Get-go

Ideally, for meat that is evenly cooked and moist, you lot want to dark-brown ground beef that is completely thawed. Here'southward how to defrost ground beef:

• Fridge method: 24 hours before cooking, remove the basis beefiness package from the freezer, put it in a bowl or aught-height bag, and place information technology in the fridge. Your beefiness should be completely defrosted by the time you're gear up to cook.
• H2o method: If you but have an hour or ii, place your frozen ground beef package into a zip-top pocketbook, pushing out as much of the air equally possible. Then, place the bag into a basin full of cold h2o and let the meat defrost for an hour. You should change the water around the 30-minute mark to keep it cold.
• Microwave method: Transfer the frozen ground beefiness to a microwave-safe plate and place it in the microwave. Set your microwave to the defrost setting and microwave the beef in 20-xxx second internals, flipping the beef each fourth dimension. Information technology should have virtually 5 minutes or and then for the meat to defrost. Note: The edges of the beef might outset to cook as they start to defrost. This is fine every bit long equally you fully cook the ground beef right subsequently.

Cook the Meat Evenly

Don't drop that brick of ground beef straight into the pan! To cook the meat evenly and prevent steaming, break up the meat before information technology goes into the pan. Tear the meat into chunks by manus or with a wooden spoon and add together these to the hot skillet in a single layer.

Use a Hot Pan

The near mutual error people make when browning ground beefiness is putting the beef in a cold pan. As information technology heats upward, the meat begins to steam, which makes it look deadening or grey. The goal is to brown—as in sear—the meat, and to do this the pan needs to exist hot. So make sure your skillet is hot earlier y'all add together the ground beef!

Avert Constant Stirring

After you add the ground beef to the hot pan, allow it cook untouched for several minutes. Many cooks make the mistake of constantly stirring ground beef as information technology browns, only this agitation drives wet out of the meat, creating a tougher texture. Only subsequently the beef has a good sear on the lesser and yous see the color creeping up the sides should you begin to gently move the footing beef in the pan.

Go on Some of the Grease in the Pan

Draining the grease from cooked ground beefiness makes your finished dish less greasy. However, for moist and flavorful meat, keep a tablespoon or two of that fat in. Stir it through your browned beef. Y'all'll notwithstanding be removing most of the fat while stillprotecting the meat from drying out.

Bleed the rest of the grease into a heat-proof container. Once it solidifies, scrape it into your trash. (Some municipal compost programs may take grease, but don't put it in your backyard compost.)

Flavour the Ground Beef

When it comes to seasoning your ground beef, await until afterwards it has been browned and drained. Adding salt to raw ground beef pulls out moisture, drying the meat out and creating steam while information technology cooks, which prevents it from browning properly. The aforementioned goes for other seasonings, but for a different reason. Much of the herbs and spices will bleed abroad forth with the grease, leaving your ground beefiness underseasoned.

Once your ground beef has been cooked and drained, it tin be seasoned with almost anything. Salt and pepper are the nuts and could be paired with a taco seasoning blend, Old Bay, herbes de Provence or garam masala, to name a few options. Information technology only depends what you're planning on making with the beef. For inspiration, check out our favorite ground beefiness recipes of the by twelvemonth.

Don't Rinse Beef!

One TikTok user almost broke the net when she shared a video of cooked ground beef poured into a strainer and rinsed under the faucet, which washed all of the grease off the meat and right down the drain. (The video has since been deleted, simply you tin catch it in @simplyfoodbyty'south duet with the original post.) The user claimed it was a technique learned in a nutrition course, but you lot definitely should not rinse browned ground beefiness.

For ane, grease and fats should never be poured down the sink drain. (It'due south one of the things plumbers want you to know.) The grease can solidify in the pipes, creating clogs and a huge mess in sewers and septic systems. Additionally, while pouring off excess fat from browned beef makes it healthier, removing every last drib of fatty by rinsing information technology away will get out the beef tough, dry and tasteless.

If you're concerned about the amount of fat in ground beef, opt for the leanest choice like ground sirloin. Or, utilise ground turkey or ground chicken in identify of beefiness, which are reasonably priced and have less fat.

How to Cook Frozen Basis Beef

While defrosted basis beef volition have the best season and texture, y'all tin cook ground beef from frozen. Hither's how:

• Oestrus your skillet every bit directed above.
• Add together the frozen ground beef, repeatedly turning the brick of meat in the hot skillet and peeling away the outer layers as they brown through.
• Continue until all of the beef is cooked.

Browning your footing beef this mode should really be a last resort; it's more than time-consuming and all that handling volition result in beef that's tough and unevenly cooked. Those in a time pinch will love these quick and easy footing beef recipes instead.

Now that you know how to cook and brown ground beef, you're ready to brand our best ground beefiness recipes.

Taste of Home

Sloppy Joe Pie

To be honest, I don't hear many compliments on this dish...folks are always too busy eating! I developed the recipe past grabbing ingredients from my refrigerator and cupboards one "crisis fourth dimension" when I needed an easy dish fast. —Kathy McCreary, Goddard, Kansas

Go Recipe If you're a sloppy joe fan, try out this loose-meat sandwich recipe.

Spaghetti Meatball Supper

Information technology was such a joy to come home and find my mom making spaghetti and meatballs for dinner. This recipe has ever been dear to my heart. —Debbie Heggie, Laramie, Wyoming

Cheesy Fiesta Beef Casserole

Over the years I've tweaked this recipe to end up with a wonderful, quick weeknight meal. Feel free to spice information technology upwards with jalapenos, if yous prefer a little more heat. —Joan Hallford, Northward Richland Hills, Texas

Piece of cake Beefiness Soup

This colorful, easy beef soup comes together in minutes. Even my hubby, who admits he's no cook, makes it on occasion." —Agnes Bierbaum, Gainesville, Florida

Meatball Cabbage Rolls

My mother frequently had these cabbage rolls simmering in her slow cooker when my family and I arrived at her business firm for weekend visits. The mouthwatering meatballs tucked within made these stand out from whatsoever other cabbage rolls I've tried. —Betty Buckmaster, Muskogee, Oklahoma

Find more ground beef Crockpot recipes.

Ane-Pot Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta

When the weather's too chilly to grill, I whip up a big pot of this cheesy pasta. Believe it or not, it tastes just like a bacon cheeseburger, and information technology's much easier for my young children to enjoy. —Carly Terrell, Granbury Texas

California Burger Wraps

I love the fashion these fresh flavors blend. It'south a snap to throw these wraps together for a quick, healthy lunch. The burgers tin can also exist served on buns if you like. —Rachelle McCalla, Atlantic, Iowa

Like shooting fish in a barrel Blimp Poblanos

My partner adores these saucy stuffed peppers—and I love how chop-chop they come up together. Top with depression-fat sour cream and your favorite salsa. —Jean Erhardt, Portland, Oregon

Power Lasagna

When my husband and I wanted to live healthier, our first step was to eat more power foods, such as whole grains, fresh veggies and protein. Combined with our love for Italian food, this tasty lasagna is one of the nutritious results.—Jennifer Yaden, Richmond, Kentucky

Sassy Salsa Meat Loaves

Hither'south a twist on classic meat loaf. Y'all tin make these loaves alee, and they'll last for a few days. Brand meat loaf sandwiches with the leftovers, buns and a little Monterey Jack cheese. —Tasha Tully, Owings Mills, Maryland

Beefy French Onion Potpie

I came upwards with this dish knowing my married man loves French onion soup. It's a good base for this hearty, meaty potpie. — Sara Hutchens, Du Quoin, Illinois

Double-Crust Pizza Goulash

After my husband and I got married, this biscuit pizza solved the what's-for-dinner problem. Every bit our family grew, I just made bigger and bigger batches. It never disappoints!—Pat Crane, Pine City, New York

Saucy Skillet Lasagna

Thank you to no-cook noodles, this skillet lasagna makes a fresh, filling, flavorful and fast entree for whatsoever Italian meal. —Meghan Crihfield, Ripley, Westward Virginia

Taco Stew

The ingredients are simple, just together they make this crawly stew. If you want to a little added crunch, crush a few tortilla chips on summit of each bowl. —Suzanne Francis, Marysville, Washington

Frito Pie

Frito pie is legendary in the Southwest for being spicy, salty and cheesy fabulous. Here'southward my easy take on this crunchy classic. —Jan Moon, Alamogordo, New United mexican states

Vegetable Beef Goulash

This piece of cake one-dish recipe has been a family favorite always since my married man'due south aunt handed it downward to me 35 years ago. Try calculation any vegetables you have on hand. A simple salad goes nicely with this dish. —Evangeline Rew, Manassas, Virginia

Deadening-Cooked Enchilada Casserole

Tortilla chips and a side salad plow this savory casserole into a fun and festive meal with very little attempt. —Denise Waller, Omaha, Nebraska

Upside-Down Meat Pie

This recipe, which my sis gave me more than 30 years ago, is perfect whenever friends drop by. It mixes up in a jiffy, yet it's substantial and satisfying. —Cora Dowling, Toledo, Ohio

Cheeseburger Skillet Dinner

This skillet dinner is doubly quick. The leftovers-if at that place are any-can exist reheated to make a second meal as tasty as the first. —Karen Grimes, Stephens City, Virginia

Chili Beefiness Cornbread Casserole

This recipe is my potluck standby. And when I hear that someone may need a comforting domicile-cooked meal, I bring them this goulash. —Lorraine Espenhain, Corpus Christi, Texas

If you like this casserole, y'all'll love this beef chili recipe!

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[rms_recipe id="156809" championship="Mexican Tater-Topped Casserole" cta_text="Become to Recipe" paradigm="https://www.tasteofhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Mexican-Tater-Topped-Casserole_exps156809_SD2401787A04_18_2bC_RMS-2.jpg" image_alt_text="Mexican Potato-Topped Goulash Recipe photo by Taste of Home" link="https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/mexican-irish potato-topped-casserole/" slide_no="61"]Tater Tots, cheese and a mouthwatering basis beef mixture: What'southward non to love in this delicious casserole ane tester chosen "the ultimate comfort nutrient"? —Simple & Delicious Test Kitchen

Curried Beefiness Pitas with Cucumber Sauce

A good friend gave me this recipe when I get-go got married. I was a bit apprehensive to try information technology since the ingredients weren't that familiar to me, simply, years subsequently, information technology's now one of our family favorites. —Shannon Koene, Blacksburg, Virginia

Cheeseburger Macaroni Skillet

This is the ultimate simple and fulfilling dinner that uses items I typically have in my cupboard. Information technology's so easy to prepare and cooking all in one skillet makes information technology a snap for clean up. —Juli Meyers, Hinesville, Georgia

Beefiness & Rice Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

This recipe is special to me because it's an easy one-pot meal that tastes similar you spent the whole day in the kitchen. My family loves it. —Lynn Bowen, Geraldine, Alabama

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Source: https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/how-to-brown-ground-beef/