Back to the basics. Recipes often direct us to “brown ground beef, drain fat” but what is the best way to do this? There are a few secrets to getting flavorful ground beef! Make large batches and freeze in portions for future recipes.
Why is Browning Beef Important?
Known as the Maillard reaction, when beef is browned, the outside gets seared and that’s how the meat gets its rich, meaty flavors and aromas.Browned ground beef releases fat that can be drained away resulting in a healthier meal.Cooked ground beef can be used to make casseroles, pasta sauces, tacos, and more.
Choosing Ground Beef
You can find different varieties of ground beef including ground chuck, ground round, sirloin, and ground beef, and each one has a different fat content that affects how it cooks down. For best results, an 80/20 is the grind we choose for most recipes which means it is 80% meat with 20% fat. This is a good balance of meat to fat for recipes like spaghetti sauce or tacos. The fat adds flavor while keeping the beef from becoming dry but too much fat can make a greasy dish.
If using leaner beef (extra lean ground beef is about 90/10), you’ll want to add a tablespoon of oil to the pan or use a non-stick pan. I sometimes add a slice or two of chopped bacon for extra fat too.If using regular ground beef, it has closer to 25-30% fat and will need to be well-drained before adding to recipes.
How to Season Ground Beef
Season ground beef during the cooking process to ensure the meat is infused with flavor. Once the beef begins to brown, add salt & pepper or your favorite seasonings like onion and garlic (or garlic powder). Try some DIY seasoning mixes that will give a boost of flavor to your recipes.
Hamburger SeasoningCajun SeasoningItalian SeasoningTaco SeasoningSavory onions and garlic are also excellent seasoning agents that are sodium-free.
How to Brown Ground Beef
Cooking Ground Beef from Frozen
It is possible to cook ground beef from frozen, you may not get the same browned edges but it does work well in recipes. Place the ground beef in a preheated skillet (adding oil if needed). Break the beef apart and add it to the pan. Do not stir the beef for 4-5 minutes or until it develops a browned crust on one side. After this, stir and break up the beef and continue cooking until no pink remains. The browned edges of the beef will add so much flavor to your recipe! My favorite tool for cooking ground beef is a meat chopper. This simple item helps to break up the beef easily and evenly. It makes it easy to get the texture you prefer. A meat chopper can be used for much more than meat! I use it to chop up canned tomatoes, mash fruit, chop up avocados for chunky guacamole, and more.
Best Ground Beef Tips
Preheat the pan for the best results and do not stir the beef until it’s browned on one side.Avoid over-stirring the beef as it cooks in order to develop a crust that adds flavor.Onion or garlic can be added to the beef as it browns.Remove the ground beef from the heat as soon as it’s cooked through to keep it from drying out.Drain fat but do not rinse the beef or it will lose flavor. Cook beef ahead of time and freeze. Add it to recipes right from frozen.
Best Ground Beef Dishes
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