How to cook frozen ground beef on stove, slow cooker, in microwave or Instant Pot is here. If you forgot to defrost hamburger this will help.
There are so many ways you can cook frozen ground beef. You’re in luck if you haven’t tried any of them yet and sound skeptical. We did all the testing for you. Now you can cook frozen meat to tender quickly, and have it taste great. You’re welcome. (affiliate links present).
Cooking frozen ground beef in a crock pot is a great way to make delicious, hearty meals with minimal effort. While you can just throw the frozen beef right into the slow cooker, taking a few extra steps will ensure the best results. In this article, we’ll walk through the process step-by-step so you can make the most out of using frozen ground beef in the crock pot.
Thawing the Beef
For food safety reasons, it’s best not to just cook frozen meat in the crockpot without thawing it first. There are a few easy ways to safely thaw ground beef before cooking:
- Place the frozen beef in the refrigerator and allow it to slowly thaw over 24-48 hours. This is the safest method.
- Submerge the frozen beef in cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes until it’s thawed.
- Use the defrost setting on your microwave, stopping periodically to turn and break apart the meat.
Thawed ground beef will cook more evenly in the crock pot
Browning the Beef
Browning the beef before slow cooking gives it great flavor. The Maillard reaction that occurs when meat is seared adds richness and depth. Here’s how to brown frozen ground beef for the crock pot:
- In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook the thawed ground beef in batches, breaking it apart as it cooks. This prevents steaming.
- Cook until the beef is lightly browned, about 3-5 minutes per batch.
- Drain excess fat after browning.
Browning just a few minutes per side prevents overcooking while giving the coveted caramelized flavor.
Chopping Other Ingredients
For the best texture, make sure any other ingredients going into the crockpot are chopped into bite-sized pieces. Here are some tips:
- Dice onions and garlic. Mince is ideal for even cooking.
- Cut carrots and celery into 1/2 inch pieces.
- If using potatoes, cut into 3/4 inch cubes.
- Chop other sturdy veggies like cauliflower or broccoli into florets.
Uniform pieces will cook evenly and meld flavors.
Layering the Ingredients
Layer the ingredients in the crock pot to allow maximum flavor infusion
- Add a bit of liquid to the bottom of the pot – broth, tomatoes, or water.
- Layer in half the vegetables.
- Top with half of the browned ground beef.
- Next add any spices, herbs, or other seasonings.
- Repeat layers ending with the beef.
Layering helps distribute ingredients and seasonings evenly.
Choosing Cook Times and Settings
Cook time will vary based on amount of ingredients. Here are some guidelines:
- For 2-3 lbs ground beef, cook on low for 7-8 hours.
- For 4-5 lbs ground beef, cook on low for 8-10 hours.
- Make sure beef reaches safe internal temp of 160°F.
The low, slow cooking ensures beef becomes fork tender.
Adding Potatoes
Potatoes hold up well when cooked for 6-8 hours on low in the crock pot. Follow these tips:
- Add potatoes layered with the other ingredients.
- Make sure they are fully submerged in liquid.
- Cook for 7-8 hours for evenly tender potatoes.
Properly cooked potatoes will soak up delicious flavors.
Preventing Greasy Results
Excess fat from ground beef can make finished meals greasy. Try these fixes:
- Use lean ground beef with a fat content of 90/10 or leaner.
- Blot away excess grease after browning.
- Chill the cooked crockpot meal overnight, then skim solidified fat off the top before reheating.
A little prep prevents greasy, unappetizing finished dishes.
Flavorful Finishes
Stir in a few ingredients after cooking for maximum flavor:
- For chili, stir in a squeeze of lime juice and fresh chopped cilantro.
- For bolognese sauce, stir in fresh basil and parmesan.
- For curry, stir in coconut milk and chopped peanuts.
Simple additions make excellent one-pot meals sensational.
Food Safety Tips
When working with raw meat, follow these safety guidelines:
- Wash hands and cooking tools thoroughly before and after use.
- Don’t let raw beef touch other ingredients before cooking.
- Discard any leftovers after 4 days in the fridge.
- When reheating, heat to 165°F until steaming hot.
Practicing care in the kitchen prevents the risk of foodborne illness.
With the right techniques, using frozen ground beef in the crock pot yields fantastic results. Browning, layering, and using lean beef prevents greasy peppers while optimal cook times and smart ingredient choices ensure full flavor in simple one-dish meals. Follow this guide for tender, juicy ground beef dishes straight from the crock pot.
Boiling Frozen Ground Beef
It won’t brown and all the flavor will be lost, so this is the worst thing that could happen. If you boil something in hot water, all the vitamins and flavor are taken away, just like when you boil vegetables. If you just can’t help yourself and you have to try this too you can, this is how;.
- Put enough water in a pot to cover the frozen block, and then wait for it to boil.
- Set meat inside and don’t leave
- To start cooking, use a wood spatula to break off the outer pieces that get soft.
- The block will finally thaw all the way through, and the smaller pieces will start to boil in the water.
- At this point, I think you should strain the meat, season it, and add it to something like our Instant Pot spaghetti with meat sauce.
Our 5 ingredient chili is another one that this would be okay in. Something with a lot of flavor would be necessary since this will make the protein quite bland. Make sure you drain as much of the water out around the meat too when you’re done. Like I said, not my preference but possible.
Frozen Ground Beef in Instant Pot
If you have a high-pressure cooker, you can use the Instant Pot to cook frozen ground beef or turkey. Steamed essentially to the middle, it will still leave some pink. Then you can drain the liquid out, set to saute, and brown that way with seasonings you want.
A quick and easy way to make taco meat that can be used in taco shells in just 15 minutes. The meat can go from being very hard to being ready to be thrown in. AND only one pot to clean from start to finish…. and you know how much I love my Ninja foodi and Crockpot Express. All brands work for this.
Can I put frozen meat in a slow cooker?
FAQ
Can I put frozen ground beef in a crockpot?
Can you cook frozen ground beef without thawing it?
Is it safe to cook frozen beef in slow cooker?
Can I cook frozen ground beef in a pot?
Can you cook frozen ground beef in a crock pot?
In the morning, put your frozen ground beef directly into the crock pot, along with one cup of water . (You could use beef stock, if you wanted to). If you’re doing a smaller amount of meat, lessen the water accordingly. I didn’t season the meat at all at this stage. That comes later. Turn your crock pot on low and ignore it for 2-3 hours.
How do you cook ground beef in a slow cooker?
Place ground beef in a 6-quart slow cooker. Using a Mix n’ Chop or spoon, break up the ground beef. Cover and cook on low for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally. The ground beef is cooked when meat thermometer reads 160 degrees F in the center of the meat. Drain cooked beef using a colander set inside a large bowl.
How long do you cook beef in a crock pot?
Break up the browning meat in the crock pot every 30-60 minutes. Stir and cook until the beef is no longer pink and cooked through. Step 3 – Then carefully drain off any excess grease and liquid from the crock pot and ground meat.
How do you season ground beef in a crock pot?
Turn your crock pot on low and ignore it for 2-3 hours. That’s when you want to open it up and use a large spoon or spatula to break up the ground beef. Really get in there and break it into small pieces. This is when I seasoned my meat. Since I want to freeze my hamburger to use for various recipes, I’m keeping the seasoning pretty basic: