Ground beef is a versatile and budget-friendly staple that can be used in everything from weeknight tacos to special occasion meatloaf However, while cooking ground beef may seem simple, there are some important techniques to follow for getting the best texture and flavor In this article, we’ll walk through step-by-step how to cook ground beef properly, plus share tips for buying the right cut, storing it safely, and troubleshooting common mistakes.
Choosing the Best Ground Beef
The first step in cooking great ground beef is selecting high quality meat. Here are a few things to look for when shopping:
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Bright red color – This indicates freshness. Avoid any packages that look brown or gray.
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Low fat content – For versatile ground beef, choose 85% lean. Higher fat options like 80/20 are best reserved for burgers and meatballs.
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Recently packed – Check the sell-by date and pick the package with the furthest date Use within 2 days of purchasing,
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Ground in-store – Meat ground at the grocery store typically tastes better and fresher than pre-packaged.
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Ground chuck – Made from shoulder meat, chuck has the best balance of fat-to-lean. Other good choices are sirloin and round.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps for perfect ground beef every time:
1. Use a Skillet
- A heavy stainless steel or cast iron skillet works best to achieve a nice sear. Heat over medium-high heat before adding the beef.
2. Break Up the Meat
- For even cooking, break up the beef into small chunks before adding to the hot skillet.
3. Don’t Move the Meat
- Let the beef cook undisturbed for 4-5 minutes so the bottom can brown. Moving it too soon will make it gray.
4. Stir Occasionally
- After browning, use a wooden spoon to gently stir and break up any large pieces. Continue cooking until no pink remains.
5. Drain the Fat
- Pour off excess grease, but leave a little bit to keep the beef moist. Never rinse cooked ground beef!
Handy Tips for Cooking Ground Beef
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Let meat sit out – For more even cooking, allow refrigerated beef to come closer to room temp before cooking.
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Use a meat thermometer – This helps ensure beef reaches a safe internal temperature of 160°F.
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Season at the end – Salt and pepper after cooking so spices don’t burn. Add other seasonings once drained.
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Cook from frozen – Defrost first for best texture, but pan frying frozen beef works in a pinch. Just break up the meat as it cooks.
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Store properly – Raw ground beef keeps 2 days max in the fridge. Cooked beef lasts 3-4 days refrigerated or 3-4 months in the freezer.
Common Mistakes
Avoid these ground beef cooking pitfalls:
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Putting cold meat straight into a hot pan – Let meat sit out so it cooks more evenly.
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Constant stirring – Let the meat sear undisturbed at first for better browning.
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Overcrowding the pan – Cook in batches for proper searing.
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Using a nonstick pan – Cast iron or stainless steel allow for a better sear.
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Rinsing cooked beef – This washes away fat and flavor. Just gently drain excess grease.
With these handy tips for choosing, prepping, and cooking ground beef, you’ll be ready to make flavorful, tender meat for burgers, tacos, chili, pasta sauce, and any other favorite recipe. Taking a few minutes to properly brown ground beef makes a big difference in both taste and texture. Master this basic cooking skill for more delicious dinners all week long.
Video: How To Cook Perfect Ground Beef
Chances are, you have lots of options at your store for ground beef. Sometimes you’ll find what specific cut the meat is from, but you’ll also find the fat-to-lean content. So if you see 85/15 on the label, that means it’s made up of 85% lean ground beef and 15% fat. This is the most common ratio and generally considered all-purpose. You may want a higher fat content (70/30 – 80/20) for super juicy burgers or extra-lean (90/10) for tacos or sauces, but when in doubt go for the 85/15 like I’m showing you today.
Look for the freshest meat available, packages that have the furthest out sell-by date. Once you’ve selected your ground beef, keep it cold and cook it within a couple days of purchasing. For longer storage, you can freeze it up up to 3 months – store it in a freezer bag and remove as much air as possible. After it’s been cooked, it can be refrigerated for up to a week.
How To Cook Ground Beef
The trick to cooking ground beef well is to not move it around a lot until it’s finished cooking and nicely browned. This helps create a crust on the meat which is delicious.
I sauté it in cooking oil. I usually use olive oil because that’s my go-to, but your favorite cooking oil will work too.
It’s important to use a nice big pan. You can use a non-stick pan but it won’t brown the meat as well. I prefer stainless steel or a cast iron skillet because it gives a better crust to the meat than non-stick does. Using a thick heavy pan is ideal for this since it cooks more evenly as well. Also, make sure your meat is going into a hot pan!
Once the beef goes into the pan, I flatten it out like a big, thin burger patty. I let a crust form before I start to break it up into smaller pieces with a wooden spoon and flip it. Then I let the meat cook through completely before breaking it into even smaller clusters.
This is my favorite way to cook ground beef, but did you know you can also cook it in the air fryer?
The meat needs to be seasoned no matter what you’re going to do with it. In the recipe below I add salt and pepper at the end. You can also add it midway through. It doesn’t matter much.
Garlic powder is another thing that I like to add. Chili powder works well too. But anything beyond salt and pepper depends on what you’re planning to use the meat for so I haven’t included anything else in the recipe.
How To Cook Ground Beef
FAQ
What is the best way to cook ground beef?
- Get your pan hot. Preheat your pan over medium to medium-high heat to make sure it is nice and hot before adding your ground beef.
- Let it cook. Resist the urge to constantly stir and move your ground beef around.
- Use a large enough pan. Try not to overcrowd your pan with the meat.
How long is ground beef cooked?
A pound of ground meat, at a medium low temperature, will take about 6 to 9 minutes depending on the temperature and thickness of the pan, and the temperature of the meat when it is placed in the pan.
Do you use oil to cook ground beef?
Unless you’re using extra lean ground beef, no need to use oil.It will cook in its own rendered fat. Jason Panelli that teaspoon of oil in a hot skillet gives you a good sear to start with – instead of waiting for the fat in the meat to melt and come up to browning temp.
Do I season ground beef before cooking?
Do you season ground beef before cooking? For certain dishes, and simple ground beef recipes, yes. If you’re crafting burgers, meatballs, meatloaf, or other “formed” meat recipes, seasoning the beef before cooking is absolutely necessary. This helps infuse flavors deep into the meat, ensuring every bite is flavorful.
How do you cook ground beef properly?
To make sure your ground beef comes out perfectly cooked, start by preparing your pan for the cooking process. Choose a pan with a non-stick surface or opt for a well-seasoned cast-iron skillet. This will prevent the beef from sticking and will make it easier to cook and clean up afterwards.
How do you cook ground beef in a frying pan?
Here’s how: Tilt the pan to one side so that the liquid is on one side and the meat is on the other. Watch out for any splatters of hot fat. Use a slotted spoon to remove the ground beef and place it on a paper towel-lined plate. Allow the remaining fat to sit in the skillet until completely cooled. Discard it in the garbage.
Can you cook ground beef in the oven?
But there are other ways you can cook ground beef. If you have a large amount of ground beef to cook / brown, then cooking it in the oven might be the right choice for you. This works perfectly for 2-4 lbs of ground beef. Break the meat up into pieces (like I show in the video in the recipe card below).
Can you cook ground beef in a pan?
To achieve the perfect texture when cooking ground beef in a pan, it’s essential to avoid overcrowding the pan. Cooking the meat in batches allows for even browning and prevents it from steaming. This technique ensures that each piece of ground beef has direct contact with the pan, resulting in a crispy, caramelized exterior.
How long does it take to cook ground beef?
A: It generally takes 5-7 minutes to cook ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. The cooking time for ground beef will vary depending on the amount and the cooking method.
How do you cook ground beef in a skillet?
To cook ground beef in a skillet, first heat a large skillet or pan over medium heat. Then, add a tablespoon or two of oil to the pan. Olive oil, vegetable oil, or canola oil are all good choices.