How to Cook and Brown Ground BeefThis 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.
- 1 pound ground beef
- Salt and pepper, to season the beef once cooked
Editors Tip: If using very lean ground beef or a stainless steel skillet prone to sticking, add a tablespoon or two of vegetable oil to the pan before adding the beef.
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- A skillet made of stainless steel, cast iron, or nonstick is essential. Look for a good-quality pan that distributes heat evenly.
- During cooking, a sturdy wooden spoon or spatula, such as this one, is ideal for breaking up the ground meat.
- This gadget helps to easily drain grease from the pan. A colander will also do the trick.
Step 1: Heat your skilletSet a medium- to large-sized skillet on a burner set to medium-high heat. Allow the pan to get hot.
Step 3: Allow the beef to cook
Step 4: Break up and move beef around
Step 5: Drain the grease
Tips for Cooking with Ground Beef
- Refrigerator method: Take the ground beef package out of the freezer, place it in a bowl or zip-top bag, and store it in the refrigerator for 24 hours before cooking. By the time you’re ready to cook, your beef should be fully defrosted.
- Method using water: If you only have a few hours, seal your frozen ground beef package in a zip-top bag by pressing out as much air as you can. After that, put the bag into a bowl of ice water and wait an hour for the meat to defrost. To keep the water cold, you should replace it after 30 minutes.
- Method using a microwave: Put the frozen ground beef on a plate that can be used in a microwave. Turn the beef over after each 20 to 30 seconds of microwaving it on the defrost setting in the microwave. The meat should defrost in approximately 5 minutes. Note: As the beef begins to defrost, the edges may begin to cook. As long as you immediately finish cooking the ground beef, this is acceptable.
Cook the Meat EvenlyDon’t drop that brick of ground beef straight into the pan! To cook the meat evenly and prevent steaming, break up the meat before it goes into the pan. Tear the meat into chunks by hand or with a wooden spoon and add these to the hot skillet in a single layer.
Drain the rest of the grease into a heat-proof container. Once it solidifies, scrape it into your trash. (Grease may be accepted by some municipal composting programs; however, do not add it to your backyard compost. ).
Season the Ground BeefWhen it comes to seasoning your ground beef, wait until after it has been browned and drained. Adding salt to raw ground beef pulls out moisture, drying the meat out and creating steam while it cooks, which prevents it from browning properly. The same goes for other seasonings, but for a different reason. Much of the herbs and spices will drain away along with the grease, leaving your ground beef underseasoned.Once your ground beef has been cooked and drained, it can be seasoned with almost anything. Salt and pepper are the basics and could be paired with a
When one TikTok user uploaded a video of cooked ground beef being poured into a strainer and rinsed under the faucet, all of the grease washed off the meat and down the drain, nearly crashing the internet. (The video has since been taken down, but you can still see it in the original post’s duet with @simplyfoodbytys. (The user claimed to have learned this method in a nutrition class, but you should never rinse browned ground beef. First off, never pour grease or fats down the sink drain. (Its one of the things.
How to Cook Frozen Ground BeefWhile defrosted ground beef will have the best flavor and texture, you can cook ground beef from frozen. Here’s how:
- Heat your skillet as directed above.
- Turn the frozen ground beef brick in the hot skillet several times, removing the outer layers as the meat browns through.
- Continue until all of the beef is cooked.
Browning your ground beef this way should really be a last resort; its more time-consuming and all that handling will result in beef thats tough and unevenly cooked. Those in a time pinch will love these
How to Brown Ground Beef
FAQ
How do you make perfectly brown ground beef?
With a little vegetable oil, you add the cold ground beef to a hot cast iron skillet, break it up into a few big pieces with a spatula, and then leave it alone for four to five minutes so it can brown.
What do you add to ground beef to brown it?
Heat the pan and coat with oil. When using a stainless steel skillet, the oil helps prevent the ground beef from sticking to and scorching. Use a little extra oil if you’re cooking lean beef.
Do you use butter or oil to brown ground beef?
It takes roughly 7 to 10 minutes to brown a pound of ground beef on most stovetops. Continue stirring and breaking the pieces into the same size with the heatproof spatula ($10, Bed Bath) or wooden spoon.