Ground beef is a versatile ingredient that can be used in many dishes like tacos, pasta sauce, chili, burgers, and more While frying ground beef in a skillet is a popular cooking method, boiling ground beef is a quick and easy alternative that results in lean, finely crumbled meat When boiling ground beef, the key is knowing how long to boil it to ensure it is fully cooked.
Why Boil Ground Beef?
There are several benefits to boiling ground beef rather than pan frying it
- Requires less oil for a healthier option
- Cooks the meat evenly throughout
- Separates fat from the meat more easily
- Results in finer, crumbly texture perfect for tacos or pasta
- Quick and easy cleanup
Boiling ground beef is an ideal technique when you need to cook a large batch for meal prepping or batch cooking. It saves time compared to browning beef in batches and makes it easy to deal with fattier cuts of meat.
How Long to Boil Ground Beef for Safety
According to USDA guidelines, ground beef should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) to be safe to eat.
When boiling ground beef, it typically takes 15-20 minutes for it to fully cook through and reach 160°F. However, exact cooking times can vary based on factors like:
- Amount of meat – More meat will take longer
- Meat thickness – Thicker chunks take more time
- Water amount – More water requires longer boiling
To ensure safety, it’s important to use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature of boiled ground beef. Check the temp in a few spots to confirm even cooking.
Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these simple steps for perfectly cooked boiled ground beef:
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Add ground beef to a pot and break up any large chunks using a spoon. Use 1-2 pounds of meat.
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Cover with water. The water should completely submerge the meat. About 2 inches above is sufficient.
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Bring to a boil over high heat. This takes about 5 minutes.
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Reduce heat to medium and let simmer, uncovered, for 15-20 minutes. Stir occasionally.
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Check temperature with a food thermometer to ensure it reaches 160°F internally.
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Drain fat by pouring the beef into a colander. Rinse with hot water if needed.
And that’s it! The boiled ground beef is ready to use in any recipe.
Tips for Flavorful, Tender Meat
For the best results when boiling ground beef:
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Use 80/20 or 85/15 meat – Fattier cuts will be more tender and flavorful. Extra lean meat can get dry.
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Season before boiling – Sprinkle on salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, etc.
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Don’t overcook – Once it hits 160°F, immediately remove from heat.
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Brown it – For more flavor, sear the boiled beef in a skillet after draining.
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Simmer in sauce – Letting the meat simmer in pasta sauce, chili, etc boosts flavor.
How to Store Boiled Ground Beef
The cooked ground beef keeps well in the fridge or freezer:
- Refrigerator: Store in airtight container up to 3-4 days
- Freezer: Keeps 2-3 months in air-tight bag or container
Let the boiled beef cool completely before storing. Portion into recipe-ready amounts. Make sure to label and date the packages.
Thaw frozen ground beef overnight in the fridge before using. Then use within 1-2 days.
Tasty Ways to Use Boiled Ground Beef
Boiled ground beef is great in recipes like:
- Tacos
- Burritos
- Nachos
- Taco salads
- Chili
- Spaghetti bolognese
- Lasagna
- Meatloaf
- Sloppy joes
- Stuffed peppers or zucchini
- Casseroles
- Burgers
- Meatballs
- Beef stew or stroganoff
By boiling ground beef for 15-20 minutes, you can easily cook up a batch of lean, deliciously crumbled meat to use in your favorite dishes. Follow these tips for safe, flavorful boiled beef every time.
How to Season Ground Beef
The wonderful thing about ground beef is that it’s easy to season any way you like. What works best really depends on what you’re making! Try a range of spices, herbs, and seasoning blends.
- If you’re cooking ground beef for taco meat, then a simple taco seasoning works beautifully.
- To make spaghetti, meat sauce, or another pasta recipe, add Italian seasoning.
- Use burger seasoning if you want to make some burger-inspired casseroles, dips, or others dishes.
- Salt and pepper is a great way to add simple flavor no matter what you’re using it for.
- Onion, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, and thyme are some of my other favorites for a range of dishes.
If you’re cooking the beef to mix into sauces, stews, casseroles, or other recipes, you won’t have to worry too much about seasoning it on its own. I actually recommend boiling ground beef without seasoning (especially if you’re cooking it for meal prep), and mixing it in after draining, or as you cook it with other recipes.
Once the water has come to a boil, cover the pot with a lid and let it simmer. It should only take about 15 minutes for the beef to fully cook through. The meat will turn brown when it’s done, so keep an eye on it.
According to the USDA, ground beef, taco meat, hamburger meat, and other ground meats should be cooked to 160°F to be considered safe to eat. Use a meat thermometer to check internal meat temperatures, and check this Meat Temperature Chart for more information about the best temperatures for all types of meat.
A lot of people fry ground beef and brown it in a pan before using it in other recipes. While pan-frying works great, cooking anything in oil or butter is going to add more fat and calories. I like boiling ground beef because it comes out much leaner, and the boiling process is super easy. Cooking ground beef with this method also gives you the perfect ground meat crumbles, which is great for tacos and pasta sauces.
After you’ve finished boiling the ground beef, you’ll need to drain it. To avoid letting any fat or grease fall down the drain of your sink, set up a strainer inside of a large bowl. Pour the pot of boiled beef through the strainer, and the bowl will catch the grease. Then you can gently rinse the beef after draining if needed to help remove extra fat. Pour the grease into a sealed container and refrigerate until ready to dispose (or use it to cook with).
How long does cooked ground beef last?
If you’re cooking ground beef ahead of time, or you just have leftovers, you can store it in the refrigerator or the freezer. Let it cool to room temperature, then store it in an airtight container. Boiled ground beef will last in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. It will last in the freezer for 2-3 months. Thaw it before using.
How to Boil Ground Beef
FAQ
How long does it take to cook ground beef boiled?
How long does it take to cook ground beef? Once the water has come to a boil, cover the pot with a lid and let it simmer. It should only take about 15 minutes for the beef to fully cook through. The meat will turn brown when it’s done, so keep an eye on it.
How long should you boil ground beef for a dog?
To boil ground beef for dogs, place the meat in a pot and cover it with water. Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat and simmer until the beef is fully cooked. This usually takes 10-15 minutes. Stir occasionally to break up the meat into smaller pieces.
How long does beef take to boil?
How do you know when boiled hamburger is done?
Using a thermometer, the general rule of thumb is to cook ground meats until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the meat reaches your desired temperature, generally between 130 and 160°F.
How long does it take to cook ground beef?
Boiling times vary based on your particular oven and pot. Cook the beef on medium heat until the meat is completely brown. Once your water boils, turn your heat setting to medium, and continue stirring the beef until it is brown. The amount of time it takes to brown your ground beef will depend on your stovetop and pot.
How do you boil ground beef?
Fill the pot with enough water to fully cover the meat. Use a wooden spoon to break up the meat into small crumbles. Bring the water to a boil, stirring often so the beef stays in small pieces. Once it boils, lower the temperature, cover the pot, and let it simmer until the beef is fully cooked through. Why Boil Ground Beef?
How long to boil frozen ground beef?
How long to boil frozen ground beef is 15-18 minutes. Ground beef is cooked when tender, and no longer a pink color. When checked with an instant meat thermometer, the internal temperature should be at least 165F/75C. It is important to cook it to a safe temperature before consumption so as to avoid food poisoning.
How do you Cook boiled ground beef in a crock pot?
Cover the pot, and put it on the stove on medium heat. Boil ground beef for 10 minutes or until it is tender. During cooking, stir the beef intermittently to break it down into crumbles. When the beef is tender, take it off the heat. Drain the broth in a bowl Serve the boiled ground beef.
How long does it take to boil a beef tenderloin?
Bring the water to a boil. Once the meat is broken apart, you are ready to cook it. Adjust the burner to a high heat setting to boil the water. Your water should boil in about 3-5 minutes or so. Boiling times vary based on your particular oven and pot. Cook the beef on medium heat until the meat is completely brown.
Should you boil ground beef before frying?
Boiling ground beef is much healthier than frying because the majority of the fat is kept in the water after cooking. To begin, fill a large pot with water, and then bring it to a boil. A couple of inches of water will do.