Seasoning ground beef is an essential skill that can take your cooking to the next level. With the right blend of flavors, you can transform an ordinary weeknight dinner into a mouthwatering culinary experience. From tacos and chili to meatballs and hamburgers, properly seasoned ground beef makes all the difference.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to season ground beef like a pro. You’ll learn how to select the perfect spices, how to balance flavors, techniques for seasoning, recipes to try, and tips for flawless results every time. Let’s get started!
Choose High-Quality Spices and Herbs
The foundation of great seasoning lies in using fresh, aromatic spices and herbs. Here are some essentials to have on hand:
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Salt and pepper – Enhance the natural flavor of the beef. Go for coarse sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
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Garlic powder – Provides a punch of garlicky flavor Use sparingly as it can overpower
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Onion powder – Adds a sweet, savory depth. You can also use fresh minced onion.
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Paprika – Imparts a subtle smokiness and beautiful red hue. Sweet, smoked or spicy – take your pick!
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Chili powder – Brings a touch of heat and southwestern flair. Ancho and chipotle chilies are flavorful options.
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Cumin – Warm, earthy aroma perfect for Mexican dishes. Toast before using to intensify the flavor.
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Oregano and thyme – Fresh herbal notes to balance the rich meatiness Use dried herbs unless fresh is available
Create the Perfect Flavor Profile
When combining spices, take a balanced approach. Follow these guidelines to layer flavors perfectly:
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Season generously with salt and pepper – it’s the canvas for other flavors.
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Add onion, garlic or shallots – they provide an aromatic base.
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Herbs like thyme, oregano and basil give freshness. Add them at the end.
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Spices like cumin, paprika and chili powder build warmth and depth.
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Go easy on strong spices like cinnamon and cloves. A little goes a long way.
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Infuse flavor with things like wine, vinegar, citrus juice or Worcestershire sauce.
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Taste and adjust until the flavors are harmonious. It’s all about balance!
Helpful Techniques for Maximum Flavor
How you apply seasonings makes a difference. Try these techniques for thoroughly seasoned beef:
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Mix in a bowl – Toss beef with spices for even coverage. Chill for up to 2 days to intensify flavor.
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Sprinkle and massage – Sprinkle spices over beef and work them in with your hands. Great for patties.
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Marinate – Soak beef in a seasoned liquid to infuse big flavor. Works well for kabobs or stew meat.
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Create a rub – Make a wet or dry spice rub and generously coat the beef. The rub crusts beautifully when cooked.
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Grate in fresh ingredients – Grate in ginger, garlic, citrus zest or hard cheeses for bursts of flavor.
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Inject a marinade – Use a marinade injector to drive flavor deep into roasts or thick cuts.
Recipes to Showcase Seasoned Beef
The possibilities are endless when it comes to using seasoned ground beef. Here are some delicious ideas:
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Tacos – Spice it up with chili powder, cumin, garlic and a squeeze of lime. Top with all the fixings.
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Burgers – A simple blend of salt, pepper, onion powder and parsley makes an incredible burger.
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Meatballs – For Italian-style, season with parsley, parmesan, garlic, and red pepper flakes.
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Meatloaf – Mustard, ketchup and Worcestershire lend that classic homestyle flavor.
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Lasagna – Basil, oregano, rosemary and thyme give it an herby Italian twist.
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Chili – Cumin, paprika, oregano and crushed red pepper pack some heat.
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Sloppy Joes – Brown sugar, mustard, vinegar and Worcestershire make these saucy.
Helpful Tips for Flawless Execution
Taking your ground beef game from good to great comes down to these simple tips:
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Browning the beef thoroughly builds maximum flavor. Don’t rush it!
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Let the beef come to room temperature before cooking for even cooking.
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Season several hours (or up to 2 days) in advance for spices to penetrate deeper.
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Resist over-mixing or compacting the beef so it stays tender.
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Taste the raw seasoned beef and adjust until the balance is just right.
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Choose an oil with a high smoke point like avocado or grapeseed oil to sear the meat.
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Don’t crowd the pan. Cook in batches if needed to properly brown the beef.
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Let the cooked beef rest for 5-10 minutes before serving for juicier results.
The Art of Seasoning Ground Beef
With the right techniques and a balanced blend of spices and herbs, you can take your ground beef to new heights of flavor. Experiment, taste as you go, and you’ll soon be able to jazz up ground beef like a seasoned pro. From weeknight dinners to backyard barbecues, your friends and family will be begging for your seasoning secrets. So break out your favorite spices and get ready to become the master of seasoning ground beef!
Share With A Friend
Hi! I’m Marie. Mama, wife, homebody. I’m a self-taught chef and cookbook author.
I love sharing fast, fresh, family-friendly recipes that will, hopefully, make your life a little easier.
Above all, I love spending time in the kitchen with family and friends. Come join us!
From My Kitchen To Yours
This seasoned ground beef is my go-to for last-minute weeknight dinners. You can make it without much thinking at all, and it’s ready to enjoy in about 10 minutes.
For serving, there are so many options. Wrap it up in flour or corn tortillas, add some shredded cheese, lettuce, tomatoes and sour cream for quick soft tacos. Or sprinkle it over a bed of lettuce, along with all your favorite fixings, for a high-protein, low-carb lunch. Or take a cue from my daughter: sprinkle cheese and beef over tortilla chips and make nachos! Or what about rice bowls, burritos, tostadas, taquitos . . . whew, the options are endless!
We like to serve this seasoned ground beef as a “build-your-own-taco” bar. Because you can pick out (or leave out) exactly what you want, taco bars are great for kids, picky eaters, or people with food allergies. Don’t like tomatoes? Leave ’em off. Love cheese? Pile it on! Against all grain? Make a salad!
- Serves 4
- 1 lb. (454 g) grass-fed ground beef
- 1 teaspoon (5 g) Kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon (2 g) garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon (2 g) onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon (2 g) smoked paprika
- Pinch dried oregano
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Heat a large pan over medium to medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and sear, chopping beef with a spatula into small pieces.
- Sprinkle the seasonings over the beef. Continue to cook, tossing and chopping with a spatula, until beef is cooked through and brown. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.
- Remove from heat and let cool about 5 minutes. Serve and enjoy!
*I use affiliate links for my favorite products. If you click and purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks so much for helping me keep this website up and running! Search
How to cook ground beef for maximum flavor | I bet you didn’t know this!
FAQ
What’s the best way to season ground beef?
How do you make ground beef more flavorful?
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Heat:Use a hot pan (medium-high to high heat) to allow the Maillard reaction to occur, which creates complex flavor compounds.
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Don’t overcrowd:If the pan is overcrowded, the beef will steam instead of brown, resulting in a grey color.
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Let it sit:Allow the beef to brown on each side before breaking it up with a spoon or fork.
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Drain excess fat:Once browned, drain off any excess fat to avoid a greasy dish.
What seasonings for ground beef and rice?
… he used to walk around singing a little song about it “5 Spice Beef and Rice, Cha Cha Cha!” The five spices are pepper, bay leaf, garlic, thyme and oregano
Should I season taco meat before or after browning?
You should season ground beef before browning it. Adding salt and other seasonings early on allows the flavors to penetrate the meat as it cooks, resulting in a more flavorful dish. Just be careful not to over-season, as ground beef can absorb salt quickly.