Ground Beef Temperature Guide
on May 02, 2022
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Ground beef is one of the most popular and convenient meats to use in many households. It can be included in a variety of dishes, from burgers to casseroles and stews. As with all types of meat, it’s important to properly cook ground beef so it’s safe to eat.
In this post, we’re sharing some tips on how to cook ground beef, including the recommended internal temperature that it must reach.
What is the Proper Internal Temperature for Ground Beef?
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), ground beef is safe to eat when it reaches a minimum internal temperature of 160°F.
How to Know When Ground Beef is Done: Use an Instant Read Thermometer
The best way to check the doneness of ground beef is to use an instant-read thermometer. When the internal temperature reaches 160°F, you will not be exposed to harmful bacteria that can make you sick.
How to Cook Ground Beef
- Heat a skillet over medium heat and add some oil.
- When the oil is hot, add the ground beef and let it sit for a minute or so to let the water in the meat evaporate.
- Use a wooden spoon to press on the beef to remove more of the moisture.
- Season the beef with salt and pepper.
- When the beef starts to brown on the bottom, break it apart and spread it out so all the meat is in contact with the hot skillet.
- Continue to stir and cook the beef until all signs of pink are gone and it begins to form a crust.
- Check the temperature of the beef and remove it from the heat when an instant-read thermometer reaches 160°F.
- Let the meat cool slightly and enjoy.
Tip: Remove the ground beef from the fridge 10-15 minutes before you plan to cook it. This will allow the skillet to remain hot when the meat is added to the pan.
How Long to Cook Ground Beef on the Stove
Ground beef is easy to cook and takes about five minutes to cook per pound of meat. You can use a non-stick frying pan or a skillet with a little oil.
Tips to Avoid Overcooking Ground Beef
Stir the beef often so all areas of the meat are evenly cooked. If you’re grilling burgers, you may want to wrap them in foil and move them to the cooler side of the grill when they’re done.
Best Ground Beef for Cooking
Ground beef with 20% fat is a good option. The fat adds flavor and helps to keep the meat moist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Freezing Kill Bacteria in Ground Beef?
No. Freezing ground beef will not kill the bacteria. Instead, the bacteria will be inactive while the beef is frozen and will be active again when the beef is thawed. The only way to kill the bacteria is to cook ground beef to an internal temperature of 160°F.
Why Is the Minimum Temperature of a Hamburger Higher Than a Steak?
Because harmful bacteria can exist on the surface of a piece of beef, it can be introduced into other areas of the meat when it is ground. That’s why it’s important to thoroughly cook all areas of ground beef to a minimum temperature of 160°F before eating.
Should I Wash Ground Beef Before Cooking?
Ground beef should not be washed and the texture of the meat can be affected if it absorbs too much liquid. It’s best to cook ground beef to a minimum temperature of 160°F to ensure that all harmful bacteria has been removed.
Easy Ground Beef Patties Recipe
Ingredients
- Beef Patties
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs, Bobby Flay’s original recipe uses 2 tablespoons, but I find more breadcrumbs result juicer steaks
- 1 teaspoon garlic, crushed to a paste
- 1 egg
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- Gravy
- 1/2 onion, white or yellow
- 5 oz cremini mushrooms, about a dozen
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- salt and pepper, to taste
- chopped parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Make beef patties
- In a large mixing bowl, add ground beef, grated parmesan, breadcrumbs, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix with fingers until the mixture becomes a bit “pasty”. This will ensure your patties hold together nicely.
- Divide into 4 portions and pat firmly into oval patties (about 3/4-inch thick).
- Heat oil in a large cast-iron skillet over high heat until it begins to simmer. Add the steak and cook for about 3 minutes per side (6-8 minutes total). Remove onto a plate.
- Gravy
- In the same skillet, add sliced onions and mushrooms. Reduce the heat to medium. Cook for about 4 minutes or until onions are a bit translucent.
- Add tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and beef broth. Reduce heat and simmer for about 3 minutes.
- Pour in heavy cream, cook for a few more minutes until the sauce is slightly thickened. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add the patties back to the skillet. Spoon the juices over the patties.
- Remove steaks onto a serving plate. Garnish with chopped parsley. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Use lean ground chuck for the best results.
- Make sure the skillet is very hot before adding patties. This helps to caramelize the meat nicely.
Nutrition information provided is an estimate only and will vary based on ingredient brands and cooking methods used.
