Ground beef can absolutely be boiled, though it is not the most common cooking method. Boiling ground beef can be a quick and simple way to prepare it for certain recipes or to use in other dishes. While boiling does not produce the same browned and crispy texture as sautéing, pan-frying or grilling, it can be a healthy and efficient cooking technique in the right circumstances.
Why Would You Boil Ground Beef?
There are a few reasons why someone may choose to boil ground beef:
- To thoroughly cook the beef and kill any bacteria – Boiling ensures the ground beef is cooked through to a safe internal temperature.
- For use in soup or stew – Pre-boiled ground beef can be added to soups, stews and chilis.
- For pasta sauce – Boiled ground beef makes a simple pasta sauce.
- For tacos or burritos – The boiled beef can be shredded and seasoned for fillings.
- For a quick meal – Boiling is faster than sautéing or browning ground beef.
- To drain excess fat – Boiling helps render out some of the fat content.
Overall, boiling ground beef is a fast, no-fuss way to prepare it for other recipes. The tradeoff is that you lose the textural benefits of browning the meat.
How to Boil Ground Beef
Boiling ground beef is easy to do. Here are step-by-step instructions:
- Place ground beef in a pot and add enough cold water to just cover the meat. Use about 1 pound of ground beef per 2-3 cups of water.
- Bring the water to a gentle simmer over medium-high heat. Do not boil rapidly.
- Cook until the beef is no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes once simmering. Break up the meat with a spoon as it cooks.
- Drain the boiled beef in a colander and press out excess liquid. Rinse with cool water to stop the cooking process.
- Use the boiled beef immediately in recipes, or allow it to cool before refrigerating in an airtight container for later use within 2-3 days.
You can season the boiling water with salt, pepper, herbs or spices to add flavor if desired. Just keep in mind that boiling will not brown or caramelize the spices.
Boiling vs. Other Cooking Methods
There are a few key differences between boiling ground beef and other common cooking methods:
Boiling vs. Sautéing:
- Boiling uses moist heat while sautéing uses dry heat in oil or fat.
- Boiling does not brown the beef, while sautéing produces delicious caramelization.
- Boiling cooks faster than sautéing.
- Boiled beef will have a softer texture than sautéed.
Boiling vs. Browning and Simmering:
- Browning on the stovetop first before simmering develops more flavor.
- Browning before a braise or simmer gives better texture.
- Simply boiling does not allow for any browning to occur.
So in recipes where texture and maximum flavor are important, such as Bolognese sauce or chili, you will want to brown the ground beef first before boiling or simmering it in the sauce.
But boiling alone can work well for soups, stews and other recipes where the beef is simmered in liquid.
Tips for Boiling Ground Beef
Here are some top tips to ensure successfully boiled ground beef:
- Use lean ground beef with a fat content of 90/10 or leaner. Fattier beef will render out more grease during boiling.
- Break up the meat thoroughly as it cooks so it cooks evenly and does not clump together.
- Add some salt and pepper to the boiling water for flavor. You can also use spices, garlic, onions, etc.
- Rinse the cooked beef with cool water to stop the cooking process so it does not overcook.
- Use within 2-3 days and store in an airtight container in the fridge.
- Add some broth or juices from the final dish to keep the boiled beef moist.
With these tips, you can successfully prepare boiled ground beef for all kinds of recipes!
Recipes Using Boiled Ground Beef
Here are some tasty recipes that use pre-boiled ground beef as a starting point:
Quick Taco Filling
- 1 pound boiled, drained and rinsed ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning mix
- 1/4 cup water
Add taco seasoning and water to boiled beef. Simmer for 5 minutes until thickened. Fill warmed taco shells and enjoy!
15-Minute Pasta Bolognese
- 1 pound boiled, drained and rinsed ground beef
- 1 jar pasta sauce
- 8 ounces dry pasta
- Grated Parmesan cheese
Simmer boiled beef and sauce for 10 minutes. Cook pasta until al dente. Toss with sauce and serve topped with Parmesan.
Beef and Barley Soup
- 1 pound boiled, chopped ground beef
- 6 cups beef broth
- 1 cup carrots, diced
- 1/2 cup barley
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
Simmer all ingredients together in broth until barley is tender, about 60 minutes. Adjust seasonings.
Nutrition of Boiled Ground Beef
Here is how the nutrition of 3 ounces (about 85g) of boiled ground beef compares to raw:
Calories and Macronutrients
| Nutrient | Raw 90/10 Beef | Boiled 90/10 Beef |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 180 | 140 |
| Fat | 9g | 4g |
| Saturated Fat | 3.5g | 1.5g |
| Protein | 20g | 22g |
As you can see, boiling ground beef causes it to lose some fat and calories, while retaining most of the protein content.
Micronutrients
| Vitamin/Mineral | Raw Amount | Boiled Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Iron | 3mg | 2.5mg |
| Zinc | 5mg | 3.5mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 1.4mcg | 1mcg |
Some micronutrients decrease slightly during the boiling process, but beef remains an excellent source of iron, zinc and vitamin B12.
Conclusion
Boiling ground beef is a straightforward, healthy cooking method that has some advantages over other techniques. While it does not brown the beef or create fond for flavor, it cooks the meat safely, quickly, and results in a lean finished product. Boiled ground beef is perfect for soups, pastas, tacos, burritos and other dishes where the beef is mixed into a sauce. Follow the proper technique when boiling beef, and use within a few days for the best quality and food safety.