You may already be aware that it is best to thoroughly cook ground beef before eating it. There is only one foolproof way to tell whether the meat is cooked, but there are other rules as well, so what does that mean exactly?
How to Cook Ground Beef
Although cooking ground beef on the stovetop appears straightforward, a lot can go wrong. If cooking perfectly ground beef eludes you, fear not. If you’ve ever overcrowded the pan and ended up with rubbery, steamed ground beef, does your beef seep out a ton of liquid, or if you struggle to chop the meat into bite-size pieces, the result is “meat rocks” (as one editor’s boyfriend hilariously refers to it), have no fear. These images will demonstrate how to properly brown ground beef, or any other ground meat, so that your tacos, tomato sauce, and sloppy joes come out delicious every time. Related:
Heat a sizable skillet over medium-high heat before searing the meat in it. This 8-inch skillet has the capacity to cook between half and one pound of beef. Use a 10-inch or 12-inch pan to accommodate more meat. Avoid overcrowding the pan to prevent the meat from steaming. 1 / 8.
Add the ground beef to the center of the pan once it has fully heated. Allow it to sear for about two minutes, or until it turns brown, before beginning to chop it. With the aid of a spatula, it should effortlessly release from the pan once it has been thoroughly seared. 2 / 8.
Flip and Sear the Other Side
Flip the meat over after it has been seared on one side for about two minutes. 3 / 8.
A metal spatula should be used to quickly chop the meat after it has been seared on both sides. To allow the meat to sear rather than steam, spread it out. For about a minute, don’t touch the meat to let the raw pieces sear. 4 / 8.
Cook Until No Pink Remains
To expose all the pink pieces to the bottom of the pan, flip the meat once, chop the pieces into even smaller bits, and cook. Don’t touch the meat once more for the next minute to allow those pieces to sear. 5 / 8.
Continue cooking if the meat has any pink in it; otherwise, turn off the heat right away, then season with salt and pepper to taste. 6 / 8.
Use in Other Recipes
Use the cooked meat in any recipe that calls for ground beef, including tacos, marinara sauce, sloppy joes, and more. Related:
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How To Cook Ground Beef
FAQ
How long does it take to cook ground beef?
How long should ground beef be cooked?Once the water comes to a boil, cover the pot and let it simmer. About 15 minutes should be sufficient to completely cook it. When the meat is done, it will turn brown, so keep an eye on it.
What color should ground beef be after cooking?
Ground beef can be safely stored in the refrigerator for about 3 or 4 days if it is put there quickly after cooking (within 2 hours; 1 hour if the temperature is above 90 °F). It should remain in good condition if frozen for around 4 months.
Is it OK if ground beef is a little pink?
All products containing ground beef should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160 °F to ensure that all potentially harmful bacteria are eliminated. After being properly cooked, ground beef can still be pink inside. The pink hue may result from a reaction between the heat from the oven and myoglobin, which turns it red or pink.
Is undercooked ground beef OK?
Yes, eating raw or undercooked ground beef poses a risk due to the possibility of harmful bacteria present. The United States Department of Agriculture advises against consuming or tasting ground beef that is still raw or undercooked. Cook meat loaf, meatballs, casseroles, and hamburgers to a temperature of 160 °F to ensure that all bacteria are eliminated.