Ever wondered how to make perfect ground beef every time? This recipe will tell you everything you need to know about how to cook ground beef and create mouthwatering dishes with it!
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❤️ Why you'll love it
Ground beef is so versatile and can be used in a lot of dishes. It is a much-loved and sought-after food ingredient. Whether you throw it in some taco shells for taco night, mix it in some spaghetti sauce, or make sloppy joes, you can't go wrong with ground beef!
And the best part is that it contains minimal carbs, making it low-carb, keto-friendly, paleo, and gluten-free.
What Is Ground Beef?
Ground beef is simply beef that has been diced, minced, or ground. It is cooked in various ways. You can sauté it, fry it, grill it, or boil it. It all depends on what you're going to use it for.
From hamburgers to meatloaf, ground beef adds much-needed bulk and proteins to your dishes!
Types Of Ground Beef
There are three different main types of ground beef. They are ground chuck, sirloin, and round, and these parts are all gotten from different parts of a cow.
Ground chuck is made from the meat around a cow's shoulder and usually contains at least 15% fat.
Ground sirloin comes from the cut of meat from a cow's back.
Round ground beef (often called "ground round") comes from a cow's hindquarters.
As a result, both ground sirloin and ground round are types of lean ground beef, and they do not contain much fat.
These three different types of ground beef can usually be found in any grocery store.
Best Ground Beef To Use
Generally, people use different types of ground beef for different dishes. For example, ground chuck is excellent for making burgers due to its higher fat content.
Because sirloin and round ground beef do not contain much fat, these cuts can be used for dishes like meatloaf or meatballs.
The best choice for you will ultimately come down to what your recipe calls for. Worst case scenario, if you choose a type of hamburger that's too high in fat, you can just strain off the excess fat!
🥘 Equipment Used
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You can prepare ground beef in a variety of different ways. The most common method requires a hot pan, like a large cast iron skillet. You can also cook ground beef in a slow cooker, pressure cooker, or even in the oven. The instructions for these methods are also included below.
🧾 Ingredients Used
- Raw ground beef: The exact part of ground beef depends on what dish you are making. If you're going to cook your ground beef to eat it in a sandwich or burger, it would be best to use the fattier ground chuck.
- Spices: This is where you can really get creative. I like to use a mixture of black pepper, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, thyme, garlic powder, and salt. You can also add any of your favorite spice mixes like taco seasoning or dried herbs like onion powder or dried parsley.
- Olive oil: This is optional, and it depends on the fat content of ground beef. You'll usually only need to add a small amount of oil to keep the ground beef from sticking to your pan.
🔪 How To Make This Recipe
On the Stove
You can use fresh ground beef from the meat market or butcher shop for this. However, if you already have it frozen, let the ground beef thaw to room temperature.
- Add a little olive oil to a cast iron skillet if you're using a lean cut of ground beef.
- Place the ground beef in the skillet and break it into pieces. Let it cook for a few minutes on medium-high heat.
- As it starts to brown, add the spices and stir, breaking the pieces into tinier pieces. This browning of the ground beef is known as the 'Maillard reaction,' and it's what gives browned meat its wonderful, distinct flavor.
- Cook till ground beef is browned and no longer pink.
- Taste and adjust for salt.
- If you wish, you can drain the extra fat from your ground beef.
How to Cook Ground Beef In The Oven
- Preheat the oven to 450F.
- Line a wide baking dish with aluminum foil.
- Break the meat into pieces and spread it in the baking dish.
- Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 30-45 minutes.
- Halfway, take the baking dish out of the oven and use a wooden spoon to break down the ground beef.
- Take the ground beef out when the meat is fully browned.
Cook Ground Beef In A Slow Cooker
- Spray the crockpot with nonstick spray so the ground beef doesn't stick to it.
- Break up the ground beef into pieces and then place it into the crockpot.
- Add your spices to the crockpot.
- Set it to high and cook for 2-3 hours. You may also choose to set it on low and cook for 4 - 6 hours.
- While the meat cooks, occasionally stir it so it cooks evenly.
- Drain and store the ground beef in an airtight container for later use.
Cook Ground Beef In an Instant Pot
- Press the saute function on your pressure cooker to preheat your Instant Pot.
- Add a little oil to heat the pan.
- Place the thawed ground beef into the pan and break it into smaller pieces with a spoon.
- Once it begins to brown, add your spices.
- Cook until fully browned.
- Drain off any excess fat and either use the ground beef in a recipe or store it in a container in the fridge to use later.
🥫 Storing and Reheating
Store leftover cooked meat in the fridge in an airtight container for 2-3 days. Reheat in a hot skillet or in the microwave until fully warmed. For longer storage, freeze it for up to 6 months and thaw it overnight in the fridge before adding it to any recipes.
💭 Tips and Variations
- To help the ground beef cook more evenly, remove it from the fridge about 20 minutes before you cook it so it can come closer to room temperature.
- For more even browning, press the beef into an even, flat layer in a large skillet and let it cook untouched for 5 minutes.
- Use your favorite sauces like tomato sauce, marinara sauce, or bolognese sauce for a delicious meat sauce.
- These basic tips can be used with any type of ground meat, including ground turkey, ground pork, ground chicken, or ground sausage.
🍽️ What can I eat this recipe with?
Ground beef is the base of so many easy dinners! Serve it seasoned with some sort of flavorful spice mix to make the best pasta sauce, chili, taco meat, and more. For keto dieters, add it to a veggie-packed skillet, with zucchini noodles, over a bed of cauliflower rice, or even over a salad.
There are endless ways to customize ground beef, and it's one of the most common types of meat I prepare.
👩🍳 Frequently asked questions
How do I cook ground beef so it's not dry?
Ground beef already contains moisture. Cook it over medium heat so it evaporates a little slower and browns more evenly. High heat will cause all the moisture to escape quickly, which would leave the ground beef dry.
Is it okay for ground beef to be a little pink?
Although it is generally believed that browned ground beef is appropriately 'done,' sometimes it is ready to eat if still pink a bit on the inside. The safest way to destroy harmful bacteria is to cook the meat at an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit (160°F). Use a meat thermometer to make sure.
How long does it take to fully cook ground beef?
It takes roughly 7 to 10 minutes to cook a pound of ground beef on the stove. Be careful not to overcook or undercook it. Make sure you use a thermometer to check if it's done and safe to eat.
How do you drain grease from cooked ground beef?
Cook the ground beef on medium heat. After browned and fully cooked, use a slotted spoon to gather the meat to one side of the pan. Use a spoon or folded paper towels to collect the remaining fat from the other side. Don't pour it down the sink, or it might clog the pipes. Instead, pour hot grease onto a glass bowl and allow it to cool before disposing of it.
📖 Recipe
How to Cook Ground Beef
Ingredients
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon thyme
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
Instructions
- If your ground beef is frozen, let it thaw to room temperature.
- Add a little olive oil to a cast iron skillet.
- Place the ground beef in a skillet and break it into pieces. Let it cook for a few minutes on medium-high heat.
- As it starts to brown, add the spices and stir, breaking the pieces into tinier pieces.
- Cook till ground beef is browned and no longer pink.
- Taste and adjust salt.
- If you wish, you can drain the extra fat and save it for later use in an airtight container.
Notes
- To help the ground beef cook more evenly, remove it from the fridge about 20 minutes before you cook it so it can come closer to room temperature.
- To help the ground beef brown evenly, press the beef into an even, flat layer in a large skillet and let it cook untouched for 5 minutes.
- You can store ground beef in the fridge for 2-3 days or freeze it for up to 6 months for longer storage.
Nutrition
Tayo Oredola is the founder of Low Carb Africa, where she shares healthy, low carb dishes with global flavors. She is passionate about teaching people how to cook drool-worthy dishes while losing weight and living their best lives. Tayo’s recipes have been featured on MSN, Women’s Health, Parade, Yahoo News, Pure Wow, Essence, and other online publications.
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