In this brief guide, we will answer the question “How to cook ground beef in the oven? ” Moreover, we will also discuss how to store and buy your ground beef.
How to cook ground beef in the oven?
Yes, you can cook ground beef in the oven. Ground beef is considered the main ingredient of many dishes like tacos, casseroles, lasagna, hamburgers, etc. Adding ground beef into these dishes is always the first choice in the kitchen.
Browning the ground beef in the oven approximately takes 25-30 minutes to become brown and perfectly cooked. The minimum internal temperature for preparing your ground beef recommended by the USDA is 160 F.
How to brown ground beef in the oven?
Ground beef can be browned in the oven. Here are the steps you can follow to brown ground beef in the oven:
- Spread foil in a baking dish.
- Use an oiling brush to oil the foil wrap.
- Spread ground beef on the foil with the help of a spatula.
- Cover the ground beef with the foil wrap again.
- Place the baking tray in the oven for approximately 15 minutes and let it bake.
- Remove the foil wrap and bake again.
- Bake until beef is perfectly brown and cooked.
How long does it take to brown ground beef?
You can distinguish when your ground beef is ready to eat or not: It should be all brown with no apparent pinkish pieces when it is completely cooked.
In the oven, 25 to 30 minutes should be enough for you to perfectly brown ground beef that is ready to be used in tacos, casseroles, lasagna, and more ground beef dishes.
How can you brown frozen ground beef?
To brown frozen ground beef, let it defrost in the refrigerator overnight before cooking. For cooking frozen ground beef you need to defrost it overnight so that you can cook it with the method of your liking.
Can you drain the fat off the ground beef?
After completely browning the ground beef the last step is to drain its fat. You should be careful while draining the fat as it can still be hot. Follow the following steps to drain the fat of ground beef:
- Tilt your baking tray or pan so that the liquid can fall to one side.
- With the help of a spoon, take out the ground beef on a paper towel.
- Allow the paper towel to absorb the excess fat.
- Your beef is perfectly ready to be used as an ingredient.
What are the different ways to cook ground beef?
There are numerous options that you can opt for cooking ground beef. Here are some ways that you can choose while cooking your ground beef:
Frying pan
This is so far the most convenient way to cook your ground beef. Add your ground beef to a greased pan or a pot. Use a wooden spatula to break the big lumps. Cook your ground beef evenly until it is brown. You can add your favorite seasonings and serve them right away.
Pressure cooker
To cook your ground beef in a pressure cooker add a cup of water and ground beef in the pressure cooker. Cook it on high pressure for around 5 to 7 minutes.
In water
If you want to ditch oil in cooking your ground beef add half a cup of water for each pound of mince. Cover the pot and let the ground beef cook in the steam.
Microwave
Using some oil, grease a non-stick dish and put the ground beef in it. Cover it with a lid and cook on high power in the microwave. After approximately 3 minutes, stir well and cook for another 1-2 minutes. Keep checking after regular intervals to make sure that it is cooked completely. When cooked, drain the fat and serve warm.
How to buy ground beef?
Ground beef can be bought based on the cut of the meat. It might be round, chuck or sirloin. They often have various lean meat/fat ratios. The best option while buying your meat is to opt for the meat with an 85% lean meat and 15% fat distribution. This will ensure both flavor and health.
How to store ground beef properly?
Ground beef can be stored for quite a long time if it is stored properly. If you are planning to store your ground beef in the refrigerator then it will last for up to 3 days. If you are planning to store your ground beef for a longer period then it is better to store it in a freezer. Frozen ground beef can be stored for up to 3 months.
Conclusion
In this brief guide, we have answered the question “How to cook ground beef in the oven? ” Moreover, we have also discussed how to store and buy ground beef.