Learn how to cook ground beef that browns nicely, is tender, juicy, and delicious. This recipe will show you that cooking ground beef is easy, quick, and simple. Use it in tacos, pasta sauce, nachos, or any dish of your choice.
How To Cook Ground Beef
This post will show you how to cook ground beef for tacos, and use in spaghetti sauce, nachos, chili, and more.
Cooking ground beef in a pan, oven, instant pot or air fryer is easy, and quick and when done right you get tender, flavorful beef that is finely cooked.
Ground beef also known as minced beef in the UK is a popular ingredient that is used in many dishes including mince pasta bake, sloppy joes, minced meat sauce, ground beef pasta, tacos, casseroles, and nachos. It serves as a good source of protein and nutrients.
To make your own at home, check out this post on how to make minced meat.
I like browning ground beef and then cooking it till tender for optimal flavor and the whole process is easy and quick with minimal work.
This ground beef recipe is so easy and tasty that you won't cook it any other way. You just try it!
This recipe is high in protein, low carb, keto friendly, and gluten-free. Let me show you how to cook ground beef in a pan, and oven.
Related: How to cook sirloin steak, How to cook cod,
Seasoning
Ground beef needs to be seasoned for flavor. I like to use my homemade ground beef seasoning which contains paprika, oregano, cumin, garlic powder, onion granules, salt, and pepper.
I also like to use fresh onions as this fragrance and heightens the flavor. You can add the seasoning at any time during the cooking process however, I like to add it after I have browned the meat. ½-1 tablespoon of this seasoning works wonders.
Some other seasonings that can be used are fajita seasoning and cajun seasoning.
Ingredients
The detailed ingredient list, measurements, and directions are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Ground beef- This is also known as minced beef, steak mince, and beef mince.
Onion- I like to cook ground beef with onions fresh however you can use chopped frozen or onion granules.
Seasoning- Paprika, cayenne,
Salt
Oil- Use olive, vegetable, or sunflower oil.
How To Cook Ground Beef
This process is easy. Here's how to:
Place a pan on medium heat and add oil to the pan.
When the oil is heated, add in the ground beef.
Remove ground beef from the packaging and add to the hot pan.
Use a spoon to first flatten the beef then break down the ground beef and stir.
Cook on medium heat till the beef changes color to brown and then stir to break it down into crumbles.
If oily, then drain oil from the beef (this step is not needed with lean beef).
Add chopped onions, seasoning, and salt to the pan, and cook it till the onions are translucent.
Stir and add water. Cover and cook for 3- 5 minutes or till tender.
Take it off heat and serve.
Serve and enjoy.
Cooking Ground Beef In The Oven
Here's how to cook ground beef in the oven:
Remove all packaging from the ground beef
Put it in a baking pan and flatten it with a spatula or wooden spoon.
Put the baking pan in the oven and cook ground beef for 30 minutes.
Bring out the baking pan, stir and break down the beef into crumbles then put it back in the oven. Bake for another 10 minutes.
Bring it out, serve and enjoy.
How Long To Cook Ground Beef
This depends on the method of cooking it and the quantity. Cooking it in the oven takes longer than cooking it in a pan on the stovetop. Here's a cooking time guide:
Generally, how long to cook ground beef is between 10- 40 minutes depending on the cooking method.
How long to cook ground beef in a pan is 8- 10 minutes.
For how long to cook ground beef in the oven is 40 minutes.
How long to cook it in Instant Pot is 5 minutes.
It is cooked when it is no longer pink, it is brown and tender.
Ways To Use Ground Beef
It is versatile and can be used in a variety of ways. Use in or serve with :
Rice
Pasta
Mash
Plantain
Vegetables
Pie
Soups
How To Store
When it is cooled completely, portion it and pack it in an airtight container, or Ziploc, label it, then store it in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 6 months.
To Reheat, bring it out, remove the packaging and follow any of the below instructions:
Reheating in the microwave: put it on a microwave-safe plate, cover then put in the microwave and heat on high settings at 30 seconds intervals till the meat is heated through.
To reheat it in the oven: Spread it out in the oven, sprinkle with 1-2 tablespoons of water and bake at 380F for 3-5 minutes or till heated.
Reheating In a Pan: Add it to a pan, sprinkle with 1-2 tablespoons of water and cook on medium heat till heated through and water dried.
Tips For Cooking Ground Beef
- Remove ground beef from the fridge 20-30 minutes before cooking so it comes to room temperature before cooking.
- Use a big pan so the beef has room to brown quickly.
- Stainless steel pan, cast iron, and any heavy-based skillet make the meat cook evenly.
- This recipe can be used for ground chicken, turkey, and lamb.
- Adding water to cook it makes the beef tender, and juicy.
- Use any seasoning of your choice to season it.
FAQS
You don't have to wash it before cooking. Cooking ground beef at a high temperature till it is no longer pink will kill off bacteria.
The best way to cook it is by browning it first. Sautéing, baking, air frying, all brown the beef before cooking it. Follow the directions above for a tasty delicious meal.
Yes, I add water after browning to cook the beef and make the beef tender, juicy and delicious.
It takes about 5- 10 minutes to cook it tender in a pan on the stove. Cooking it in a pan in the oven takes about 30 minutes.
After browning it on the stove, pack it to one side of the pan and carefully drain the oil into a bowl. Don't drain into the sink.
More Ground Beef Recipes
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How To Cook Ground Beef
Equipment
- Skillet
- Spatula or spoon
Ingredients
- 500 g Ground beef
- 1 small Onion chopped
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- ¼ teaspoon Garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon Cayenne or to taste
- ⅛ teaspoon Cumin
- Salt to taste
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
Instructions
- Place a pan on medium heat and add oil to the pan.
- When the oil is heated, remove ground beef from the packaging and add to the hot pan.
- Use a spoon to first flatten the beef then break down the ground beef and stir.
- Cook on medium heat till the beef changes color to brown and then stir to break it down into crumbles.
- If oily, then drain oil from the beef (this step is not needed with lean beef).
- Add chopped onions, seasoning, and salt to the pan, and cook it till the onions are translucent.
- Stir and add water. Cover and cook for 3- 5 minutes or till tender.
- Take ground beef off heat.Serve and enjoy.
Notes
- Remove ground beef from the fridge 20-30 minutes before cooking so it comes to room temperature before cooking.
- Use a big pan so the beef has room to brown quickly.
- Stainless steel pan, cast iron, and any heavy-based skillet make the meat cook evenly.
- This recipe can be used for ground chicken, turkey, and lamb.
- Adding water to cook it makes the beef tender, and juicy.
- Use any seasoning of your choice to season it.
Nutrition
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