Learn how to cook ground beef the right way so it stays juicy but gets nicely browned. I’ll show you my secrets so it comes out perfectly every time.
Knowing how to cook ground beef well is a vital skill in my opinion. There are a lot of ways to use ground beef. I put it in my basic pasta sauce, baked ziti, nacho dip, and this quick Indian skillet dinner. I even love adding ground beef to my baked beans for a hearty side dish. Those are just a few recipes, though. You can use ground beef in practically everything.
Ground beef, which is also called minced beef, is a cheap and flexible meat that can be used in a wide range of tasty family meals. Meatballs, cottage pies, and pasta bolognese are just a few of the classic dishes that use ground beef. But exactly how long does it take to cook minced beef to perfection?.
The cooking time can vary based on a few key factors
Amount of Minced Beef
- 500g (1 pound) of beef mince takes 15-20 minutes to brown and cook through.
- Larger batches of 1kg (2 pounds) or more will need longer, around 30-45 minutes.
Cooking Method
- Pan frying on the stovetop is fastest.
- Baking in the oven or slow cooking takes several hours.
Desired Doneness
- For browned, crumbled mince, cook just until no longer pink.
- For meatballs or burgers, cook until 160°F internal temperature.
Follow this complete guide for timing and techniques to perfectly cook minced beef using different methods.
Pan Frying Mince on the Stovetop
Pan frying on the hob is the quickest and easiest way to cook a batch of minced beef Here are the basic steps
1. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. A high-smoke-point oil, like canola or vegetable oil, should be used.
2. Add minced beef and break up lumps. Crumble the beef into the hot skillet and stir constantly as it browns.
3. Cook until browned and cooked through, 10-15 minutes. Continue cooking and crumbling any lumps until no longer pink, about 10-15 minutes for 500g of minced beef.
4. Drain excess grease if needed. Pour out excess fat if the mince has released a lot of grease.
The total stovetop cooking time is about 15-20 minutes for 500g of beef mince. Scale up stovetop cooking time for larger batches – a 1kg batch may need around 30 minutes total.
Baking Minced Beef in the Oven
For cottage pies, meatloaf and other minced beef bakes, the oven is ideal. Use this oven method:
1. Pre-heat oven to 375°F/190°C.
2. Brown the beef mince first on the stovetop. Cook briefly in a skillet to get browning before transferring to an oven-safe dish.
3. Bake for 20-30 minutes until cooked through. Check for doneness and continue baking if needed until meat is no longer pink.
4. Rest baked mince for 5-10 minutes before serving. The inner temperature will rise a bit during resting time.
For a 500g batch of minced beef, the total oven cooking time is around 30-40 minutes including stovetop browning and oven baking. Larger batches will need up to 60 minutes baked in the oven.
Slow Cooking Minced Beef
For maximum flavor melding, the slow cooker is perfect for minced beef dishes like chili con carne.
1. Add ingredients to slow cooker insert. Raw beef mince along with tomatoes, onions, spices, etc. No need to brown meat first.
2. Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours. Long, low cooking allows flavors to develop fully.
3. Shred beef and adjust seasoning. Use forks to shred very tender slow cooked beef mince before serving.
When slow cooked, 500g of minced beef is ready after 6-8 hours on LOW. For a 1kg batch, aim for 8-10 hours. The hands-off ease of the slow cooker makes it ideal for busy days!
Cooking Mince for Burgers and Meatballs
For burgers, meatballs, and other formed mince dishes, follow these guidelines:
- Shape patties about 3/4-inch thick and meatballs about 1-1.5 inches in size.
- Pan fry burgers and meatballs for 4-5 minutes per side, or bake at 375°F for 15-20 minutes.
- Cook until browned on the outside and 160°F internal temperature.
After shaping, aim to cook formed minced beef for around 15-20 minutes total to reach safe doneness. Flipping or turning ensures even browning.
Food Safety Tips for Minced Beef
When cooking any ground meat, food safety is crucial. Here are some key tips:
- Wash hands and cooking tools after handling raw minced beef.
- Cook mince dishes to 160°F internal temperature or until no longer pink.
- Never eat raw or undercooked mince.
- Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours and use within 3-4 days.
Following proper cooking practices helps protect against foodborne illness. Use a food thermometer to verify temperatures.
Tips for Flavorful, Juicy Mince
Browning meat over high heat helps boost flavor. Avoid overcooking for tender, juicy minced beef. Here are some extra tips:
- Season minced beef with salt, pepper and spices as it browns.
- Add a drizzle of oil if meat seems dry while cooking.
- Let burgers and meatballs rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Mix breadcrumbs or eggs into the raw mince when making meatballs or burgers.
With the right techniques, you can achieve perfectly cooked minced beef ready to become the star of your meals. Follow the timing guidelines outlined above as you pan fry, bake or slow cook different amounts of ground meat. Mastering the ideal cooking times will ensure delicious results every time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know when minced beef is cooked through?
Minced beef is fully cooked when it reaches 160°F on a meat thermometer, or when the meat is completely browned throughout with no pink spots remaining.
Should I cover the pan when cooking mince?
It’s not necessary to cover the pan, but you can use a lid to help the minced beef cook faster and trap in some moisture. Just remove it at the end to drive off excess moisture.
Is it better to bake or pan fry minced beef?
Both methods work well. Pan frying gives nice browning and richness, while baking in the oven is great for cooking large batches evenly.
What’s the best way to brown minced beef?
Use a hot skillet and stir constantly as the meat cooks. Break up any lumps with a spoon and continue cooking until the mince is crumbled and nicely browned.
Can you cook frozen minced beef without thawing?
It’s best to thaw frozen minced beef fully in the fridge before cooking. Attempting to cook frozen mince can result in uneven cooking.
Mastering the perfect cooking times and methods allows you to safely prepare delicious dishes with your favorite versatile ingredient – minced beef. Follow these tips for browning, baking, or slow cooking to get perfect results every time.
Video: How To Cook Perfect Ground Beef
Chances are, you have lots of options at your store for ground beef. Sometimes you’ll find what specific cut the meat is from, but you’ll also find the fat-to-lean content. If the label says 85.15%, that means it’s 85.15% lean ground beef and 15.0% fat. This is the most common ratio and generally considered all-purpose. You might want more fat (70/30 to 80/20) for really juicy burgers or extra-lean (90/10) for tacos or sauces, but if you’re not sure, choose 85/15 like I’m showing you today.
Look for the freshest meat available, packages that have the furthest out sell-by date. Once you’ve selected your ground beef, keep it cold and cook it within a couple days of purchasing. You can freeze it for up to three months to keep it longer. Just put it in a freezer bag and squeeze out as much air as you can. After it’s been cooked, it can be refrigerated for up to a week.
How To Cook Ground Beef
Moving the ground beef around a lot while it’s cooking will make it less flavorful when it’s done. This helps create a crust on the meat which is delicious.
I sauté it in cooking oil. I usually use olive oil because that’s my go-to, but your favorite cooking oil will work too.
It’s important to use a nice big pan. You can use a non-stick pan but it won’t brown the meat as well. I prefer stainless steel or a cast iron skillet because it gives a better crust to the meat than non-stick does. Using a thick heavy pan is ideal for this since it cooks more evenly as well. Also, make sure your meat is going into a hot pan!
Once the beef goes into the pan, I flatten it out like a big, thin burger patty. As soon as a crust starts to form, I use a wooden spoon to break it up and flip it over. Then I let the meat cook through completely before breaking it into even smaller clusters.
I like cooking ground beef this way, but did you know you can also use an air fryer?
The meat needs to be seasoned no matter what you’re going to do with it. In the recipe below I add salt and pepper at the end. You can also add it midway through. It doesn’t matter much.
Garlic powder is another thing that I like to add. Chili powder works well too. I haven’t added anything else to the recipe because it depends on what you plan to do with the meat besides salt and pepper.