Some people may wonder “Can you cook frozen ground beef?”, the way to make a good meal from frozen ground beef and how to process it properly. Fortunately, this post will give you a better understanding with some useful tips and some tips for all of you to take.
Do not think this process will take you much time and effort. I can confirm that you will have an opposite view when walking through this post. Anyway, let’s get started!
Tips For An Ideal Meal From Frozen Ground Beef
Ground beef is one of the most versatile ingredients, but how to make a good meal from this special ingredient needs to be deeply understood. That’s why this section is made for you.
Time Is Not A Big Deal
You might think that cooking frozen ground beef takes a really long time, right? I believe you are not the only one who thinks so. Cooking frozen ground beef is sometimes faster even than cooking fresh ground beef.
If you don’t believe me, then this post will be clear proof for all of you guys.
Taste Creates The Attraction
There is no good food without taste. Regarding cooking frozen ground food in particular, rather than seasoning it before cooking, you should season it after you’ve cooked it.
Texture Is Not A Priority
When cooking frozen ground beef, you will surely feel a little bit disappointed because it is not eye-catching. However, you don’t need to worry.
The frozen ground beef, when cooked, will become very juicy and attractive. When blending with any dishes, it plays an important role in making a great meal for you.
Ideal Temperature
To ensure food safety and destroy harmful bacteria, the internal temperature is at least 160°F (71.1°C) as measured with a food thermometer. (1)
Picking The Best Ground Meat Is The-must
To have a delicious dish, choosing ground beef carefully in the first place is a top priority. So let’s move on to some basic tips to get the appropriate ground beef for your demand.
Find Out The Origin Of The Ground Beef
You need to determine which part of the animal you prefer to eat, as there will obviously be a difference in taste and tenderness. Look for canned ground beef with a package label full of information about the meat, especially its lean-to-fat ratio.
Avoid labels with general information like “Hamburger” or “Ground beef”, as these often come from unspecified cuts. It is best to choose meat with high-fat content because high-fat pieces of beef will feel more tender and delicious when you eat it.
You also need to carefully check the date of sale to choose the freshest meat possible.
Can You Cook Frozen Ground Beef?
When reading this post, I think people will pay a lot of attention to this question. The answer is “yes”, and that is exactly why this post is made for you.
You will be even more surprised because there are many ways to cook ground beef even if it is frozen. Let’s scroll down and find out!
Surely you will have an overview when reading through the table above. Let’s also continue this section in more detail.
Instant Pot
The first thing I want to tell you here is the most effective and time-saving method with an instant pot that every household is so familiar with today.
If you already own one or are in the process of wondering whether to buy this device to serve the processing of frozen ground beef, believe me, this is the best option. I will be more specific as below:
Step 1: Putting Frozen Ground Beef In The Pot
Firstly, place the frozen ground beef in the pot and set it to steam. The amount of meat added to the streaming process needs to be relative, preferably 2 pounds and no more than 4 pounds.
Step 2: Using Steamer Insert
For the meat to cook evenly, you should put the meat on a steamer insert.
Step 3: Adding Water
Don’t forget to add about one and a half cup of water into the pot to help prevent the meat from drying out.
Step 4: Wait Until The Ground Beef Is Cooked
Close the lid, adjust the high pressure and wait about 20 minutes. After this time, adjust back to low pressure so that the meat is tender again.
And in less than 30 minutes, you’ve got the perfect ground beef to head for a variety of dishes.
Do you want to know how to cook frozen ground beef by instant pot? Feel free to refer to this guide.
Pressure Cooker
If your home already has a pressure cooker, don’t waste your money buying an instant pot to cook frozen ground beef, because the process of the two devices is the same, using steam to heat in order to cook faster.
The process is similar to the instant pot, put 1-2 pounds of frozen ground beef on the steaming rack. Then cook frozen ground beef at high temperature and wait for 25 minutes to be ready for the next processing steps.
Don’t forget to set the pressure to high when placing ground beef in the steamer, and adjust the pressure to a low level after 25 minutes.
Stove
Cooking directly on the stove is also another optimal way. Here are some basic steps for cooking frozen ground beef with this device.
Step 1: Frozen Ground Beef Needs To Be Defrosted
It should be noted that you need to defrost the beef within a day. Keep it wrapped in its original packaging. At low temperatures, ground beef is immune to bacteria, so when it is defrosted, you can keep the beef for up to 2 days. (1)
However, the defrosting time depends on the weight of ground beef. An estimated 2 lb (equivalent to 0,91kg) package of frozen ground beef will take about 2 days in the fridge.
In case you need to cook in a hurry, put the frozen ground beef in the microwave and set it to 50% power. Wait until the meat heats up and defrosts the frozen layer but is still a bit cold.
Another useful and easy way to defrost frozen ground beef is to use cold water. Place the frozen ground beef package in a covered basin with water. Change the water every 30 minutes until the ice melts. If you are still confused with this method, why don’t you watch the video below and get a better understanding now?
The simplest way to deal with frozen ground beef is to use cold water.
Step 2: Spraying Non-Stick Cooking Spray
If you only have a normal pan, this practice is essential to prevent the meat from sticking. In case you already have a non-stick pan, spraying is not necessary. Depending on the amount of ground beef, choose a suitable pan to ensure that all the meat is on the pan’s surface.
In addition, your pan needs a little extra space to move the beef around to cook more evenly. If you cook more than 1 lb of ground beef (about 0,45kg), it’s a good idea to cook in batches for a richer flavor.
If you use a non-stick pan, you should add more cooking oil (about 2 teaspoons) before cooking. This is extremely useful if you cook lean beef.
Step 3: Moderate Temperature When Cooking
Before putting ground beef in the pan, the pan must be moderately hot. To test this more closely, add a few drops of water to the pan. When the water droplets evaporate as soon as they fall into the pan, it’s the right time to put the ground beef in.
If you cook ground beef to the wrong temperature, as I mentioned above, instead of browning when you cook, the meat will turn gray.
Obviously, when you put frozen ground beef in the pan, the temperature will drop, so you should heat the pan carefully to the right level before putting the meat in the pan.
Step 4: Putting The Ground Beef In The Pan And Wait For About 3 Minutes
You need to be careful not to break the beef when putting it in the pan. Let the beef be cooked on one side for approximately 2-3 minutes, and don’t stir the meat too much during the process.
When you see the beef turning brown, that’s a suitable time to turn to the other side. Turning the meat less during the cooking process will brown all surfaces and cook more evenly.
Cooking just takes a few minutes, so don’t walk away if you don’t want a bad meal. While cooking, you should not add water while cooking because the beef will easily turn gray. If you still want to use water, you should estimate about ¼ c ( roughly 59 ml of water) per 1 lb (about 0,45kg).
Step 5: Break The Beef Into Small Pieces Using A Spoon
Using the edge of the spoon to press down on the meat to create a straight and aesthetical cut. And you need to make sure that all the sides of the beef are turned to the pink side. Then you cook the beef for another 2-3 minutes.
And now is the suitable time to sprinkle an appropriate amount of salt according to each person’s taste.
Step 6: Make Sure All Sides Of The Beef Are Brown
Flip the beef often to ensure that 1 section of the beef is not placed on the pan for too long and maybe potentially burn.
You need to look for an uncooked side and use a spoon to flip that side down onto the surface of the pan. After cooking for about 2 minutes, turn the beef and check again.
You can also use a thermometer if you want to be sure about this. If the beef is cooked evenly, the temperature reaches about 160°F (71°C).
Ground beef needs about 7-10 minutes to cook the entire 2 sides of the beef. The time may vary depending on the amount of beef you put in.
Step 7: Use A Colander To Drain Fat Content And Juices
To begin, you need to use a slotted spoon to avoid getting most of the juices in the pan when taking out the ground beef.
After that, you put the meat in the colander to drain off the fat content when it is cooled. Before this, don’t forget to get something and put it under the colander to get the discarded grease, maybe a trash bag, a pot, or a basin.
Using paper towels on a plate is another useful way. Place the beef on them, then take another paper to remove the grease.
Microwave
In today’s modern technology era, the microwave is a great and quick choice for a hearty and healthy meal. This method is more useful than you think. Microwaves can save you a lot of time and effort. You need to remember the 8 basic steps below in order to use this method effectively:
Step 1: Defrost Ground Beef
You need to move frozen ground beef into the fridge about 1 day before cooking.
After that, you need to put the ground beef in a microwaveable container. Set it to 50% power to heat the ground beef until the ice is completely thawed (1).
Thawing frozen ground beef in the microwave.
Step 2: Choose Safe Ground Beef Containers
Items made of materials such as glass or ceramic should be the priority when being put in the microwave because they are resistant to heat.
In order to cook the beef more evenly, you should choose a shallow and round container. Depending on the amount of beef put in the microwave, they can be divided into different batches if necessary.
Plastic containers can sometimes be used in the microwave. When using containers made of this material, make sure that the container is marked “Microwaveable” or “Microwave-safe”. Otherwise, they will release extremely toxic gases when heated.
Step 3: Arrange The Ground Beef
Firstly, you need to unpack the ground beef and arrange it neatly in the container. Then place the container in the microwave.
In case you have trouble breaking apart the ground beef, put it in the microwave in order to defrost at a low temperature, then take it out and try again.
Step 4: Cover The Container
As mentioned above, the lid of the container needs to be made of safe materials such as glass, ceramic or suitable plastic for the microwave. One more thing that needs to be ensured is that the lid must be designed to be exposed to heat so that the heat can escape.
You can also use plastic wrap as a cover. If you use this material, you need to cut some vents so that the heat can escape.
Step 5: Cook Ground Beef
You should cook ground beef on medium heat for about 5 minutes. Set the microwave to 50% power so the beef can be cooked more evenly. (2)
You can adjust a different power if you want, but you must be careful and make sure the beef is cooked at a safe temperature so you can enjoy it to the fullest.
Step 6: Rearrange The Ground Beef
You need to use a spoon to divide the ground beef into portions. The cooler and pink ground beef should be arranged on the outside, while the warm and browned parts are in the middle. Close the lid tightly before flattening the arranged beef.
Step 7: Cook And Stir The Ground Beef
After cooking for about 2-5 minutes, take out the beef and stir well so that the beef with pink color is put on the outside. You will do this process a few times to make sure the beef is cooked evenly.
In general, this process only takes you 7-10 minutes, depending on your temperature setting. Therefore, don’t worry too much.
Step 8: Remove Fat Content
Put the beef in the colander to drain off the fat content when it is cooled. You need to put something under the colander to get the fat content. To make it easier, you should pour some little hot water to drain the fat.
Put the fat in the freezer and remove it instead of discarding the fat content immediately after you add hot water.
How to remove fat content in a proper way will become easier with the help of this guide.
Sous Vide
Another useful way to cook frozen ground beef is Sous Vide. The main benefit of using this method is that it helps to cook the beef evenly on every edge because the temperature remains unchanged throughout the cooking process.
Step 1: Use An Airtight Bag
Place ground beef in an airtight bag and make sure no air gets in.
Step 2: Add Water
Fill up your sous vide machine’s pot halfway with water, then place the ground beef in it.
Step 3: Set The Temperature
You should sous vide frozen ground beef for an hour at 137°F. If the temperature is set lower, bacteria will penetrate easily.
Step 4: Take Out
After 2 hours of cooking, your ground beef is ready and there are various ways to deal with it.
Using Sous Vide for defrosting frozen ground beef is an ideal way that you really shout try.
Air Fryer
Many exciting ground beef recipes can be created with air fryer. The reason for choosing this option is its convenience. You don’t need to spend too much effort in the cooking process, and this method also helps to drain the fat more effectively.
Please follow 3 basic steps below:
Step 1: Put The Ground Beef In The Air Fryer
Place the ground beef in the air fryer basket and add no more than 2 pounds for each cooking time.
Step 2: Set The Temperature
The appropriate temperature should be 400°F (roughly 204°C).
Step 3: Wait Until The Beef Is Brown
You need to wait about 15 to 20 minutes during the cooking process. Having said that, if you observe that the beef is completely browned you can take it out sooner.
Are you still confused about this method? Don’t worry because there is a video tutorial below, let’s watch and follow the instructions.
Check this tutorial video for perfectly cooked frozen beef in the air fryer.
Oven
Do you have an oven on hand and wonder if you can cook frozen ground beef? The answer is yes.
By this way, you still have tender and delicious beef pieces just like other options. Just believe and follow these 3 basic steps.
Step 1: Preheat The Oven
Let’s preheat the oven to 350°F, and don’t forget to cover the top of the baking sheet with aluminum foil.
Step 2: Put The Ground Beef On Top And Season
To make sure the ground beef is cooked evenly, place it on a baking sheet without overlapping.
Then add a little salt and pepper. Depending on the thickness of the beef, the baking time may vary, usually about 15 minutes.
Then open the oven and turn over.
Step 3: Don’t Forget To Use A Thermometer
Continue to bake the ground beef for 10 minutes and make sure the center is always at 160°F.
Grill
Another popular way to cook frozen ground beef, especially for those who enjoy outdoor meals, is grilling. This can also be considered a quick and economical option. If you plan to make burgers, you need to know the grilling time chart for burgers so as to grill ground beef perfectly.
Step 1: Defrost The Frozen Ground Beef
Take a few minutes to defrost ground beef to facilitate the splitting and seasoning process.
Step 2: Season The Ground Beef
Add a little salt and pepper on the ground beef.
Step 3: Preheat the grill
Fire up the grill to high heat, then place the ground beef. During the grilling process, turn the beef every 3 to 5 minutes. Continue doing this for 20 minutes and you have perfect ground beef.
Frozen Ground Beef Recipes
Frozen ground beef is a versatile dish. There are lots of ways to cook ground beef for meal prep. Moreover, it can serve as a key ingredient in so many dishes. The three recipes below will be an example of this.
Instant Pot Bolognese Sauce
It is a famous dish originating from Italy. This is also a great recipe and perfect for preparing a simple yet quality meal. It’s also perfect for picky eaters, too. With just onions and vegetables, accompanied by some basic ingredients are what you need to whip up this dish.
Instant Pot Taco Meat
Being a staple on Mexican restaurant menus, this is a useful recipe for creating a flavorful and well-seasoned ground beef. In addition, using an instant pot will be a great method for finely ground beef tacos that everyone wants to enjoy.
Frozen Hamburgers
Cooking frozen Hamburgers is the fastest but that doesn’t mean it’s not the tastiest if you are in a hurry. The process of making this dish is also extremely simple. This is really the dish you need in order to save a busy day.
Difficulties With Frozen Ground Beef
You can perfectly cook frozen ground beef quickly, but I do not claim that it is easy and safe unless you are careful and meticulous. Below are some of the obstacles and challenges you often encounter.
Packaging
Packaging seems easy, but if you don’t know how to pack it properly, it will take up most of the space in your freezer.
Useful tips: When you have ground beef and are about to freeze, flatten it as much as possible. Then use a freezer bag to repack this ground beef. This will help save space and defrost ground beef faster when cooking.
Color
Ask yourself, would you choose brightly colored ground beef when you go to the market because you think it’s the best part? I’m sure you’ve been. Many packages of ground beef have kept their color for so long because carbon monoxide is injected into them.
Instead of focusing on the color of the beef, why don’t you look at something more obvious like the expiration date? Or you can also feel the coldness of the package of ground beef. If it’s not very cold, it must be out of the freezer for quite some time, and you shouldn’t choose it.
Fat content
Are you a big fan of frozen ground beef but don’t know which to choose to suit your taste?
When you buy packages of frozen ground beef, you’ll probably see numbers like 90/10, 80/20, or 70/30. The former number is the lean content, and the latter is the amount of fat.
If you’re going to make burgers, the 70/30 percentage will be perfect. Other dishes you should apply based on your needs.
Cooking Conditions
Many people when first cooking frozen ground beef will simply think that this process is easy. Just wait for one side of the ground beef to brown and turn it over until both sides are cooked and you have a delicious dish. It’s completely wrong!
Useful tips: Don’t put frozen ground meat in the pan and don’t put ground beef in a cold pan. This means that the pan must be preheated before putting the ground beef, and don’t forget to defrost the ground beef a bit before placing it in the heated pan.
Defrosting
You’re trying to defrost and cook frozen ground beef, so you take the ground beef out of the freezer and leave it out in the air for a few hours. This way is also good, but you know what? If you do, bacteria can easily get into ground beef and this method seems time-consuming.
If you want to thaw frozen ground beef quickly and safely, put it in the microwave, set it to defrost mode, and wait for just 3-5 minutes. Is it perfect?
Temperature
The temperature determines the doneness of the beef. If the temperature is not appropriate, bacteria will have a chance to grow in ground beef.
If the temperature falls into the “Danger Zone” from 40-140°F, bacteria called E.Coli will enter the body when eaten. Therefore, the cooking temperature may vary depending on the dish. Cooking completely will help kill bacteria and be safe when eating.
FAQs
Cooking frozen ground beef is simple and easy to make, but there’s surely a lot of confusion in cooking it. Some of the questions below are examples of common things many people want to know.
Frozen Ground Beef – An Easy Challenge
The end of the post has finally arrived. If you used to think that cooking frozen ground beef was an obstacle, I believe that you can proudly show off your talent after reading this post. Let’s do it!
If you feel this post is valuable, do not keep it alone, but spread it to other cooking enthusiasts. Let’s turn frozen ground beef into a dish everyone is familiar with.
References
- Fsis.usda.gov. 2016. Ground Beef and Food Safety.
- Foodhero.org. 2020. Thaw Ground Beef Safely.
