Ground beef is a versatile ingredient used in many dishes like hamburgers, meatballs, tacos, and more. However, when cooking ground beef, it releases a lot of grease that can make the dish overly fatty and unhealthy. Getting rid of excess grease when cooking ground beef is important for creating healthier meals. Here are some tips on how to get grease out of ground beef.
Why Remove Grease from Ground Beef?
There are a few reasons why you should remove excess grease from ground beef:
- Improves nutrition – Ground beef contains a lot of saturated fat. Removing some of the grease can reduce the total fat and calorie content of your dish.
- Avoids greasy texture – Excess grease can make dishes like tacos, chili, and casseroles taste overly greasy. Draining the fat leads to a less oily texture.
- Prevents sogginess – Grease soaked foods like burger buns or taco shells will become soggy and unappealing if the grease isn’t drained off.
- Enhances flavor – Draining off grease allows the beefy flavor to shine through rather than just tasting fatty.
Tips for Draining Grease from Ground Beef
Here are some simple tips for getting excess grease out of ground beef when cooking:
Cook in a skillet and drain grease
The easiest way to remove grease from ground beef is to cook it in a skillet, then drain off and discard the grease. Follow these steps:
- Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. When hot, add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it browns.
- Once the beef is fully browned, drain it in a colander and set aside. Be sure to leave the beef chunks somewhat large so the grease can fully drain off.
- Pour out excess grease from the skillet. Wipe the skillet clean with paper towels.
- Return the drained beef to the skillet to finish cooking.
Use a grease separator
A grease separator makes it easy to pour off just the grease from ground beef after cooking. Here’s how to use one:
- Cook ground beef in a skillet as directed above until fully browned.
- Let the cooked beef cool slightly, then transfer it to a grease separator. This is a special container with a spout near the bottom to pour off grease.
- The grease will settle on top of the beef in the container. Tilt the separator and pour off just the grease from the spout, leaving the beef behind.
- Transfer the defatted beef to a plate or bowl. Discard the grease.
Blot grease with paper towels
For small amounts of ground beef, you can blot up excess grease with paper towels:
- Spread the cooked ground beef out evenly on a plate.
- Place 2-3 paper towels on top and gently press down. Let sit 1 minute.
- Remove the paper towels – they will have absorbed some of the grease.
- Repeat process with fresh paper towels until grease is sufficiently removed.
Rinse with hot water
Rinsing cooked ground beef with hot water is a quick way to rinse away some of the grease:
- Cook ground beef in a skillet as directed until browned. Transfer to a colander.
- Run hot water over the beef while shifting it around with a spoon. This will cause some of the fat to liquefy and rinse off.
- Give the colander a shake to remove excess water. Transfer beef to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any remaining grease.
Use a gravy separator
A gravy separator has a spout that dips down near the bottom to pour off grease while leaving solids behind. Follow these steps:
- After browning ground beef in a skillet, transfer it to a gravy separator.
- Let the grease rise and separate from the solids for 2-3 minutes.
- Slowly pour the grease out through the separator’s spout, leaving the beef chunks behind.
- You may need to do this in batches if working with a large amount of beef.
Tips for Cooking Leaner Ground Beef
In addition to draining excess grease after cooking, you can also use leaner ground beef or techniques to limit grease when cooking:
- Choose 90% lean or higher – The more fat ground beef contains, the more grease it will release.
- Brown on the stovetop then finish cooking in the oven – This avoids having to cook in grease the whole time.
- Add a bit of broth or water when cooking – The extra liquid helps limit grease splatter.
- Skip oil or butter when cooking – Browning ground beef in a hot skillet doesn’t require added fats.
- Use a non-stick pan – Less grease will stick, making it easier to pour off.
Healthiest Ways to Cook Ground Beef
Draining off excess grease is just one step to making healthier ground beef dishes. Here are some other tips:
Choosing the Leanest Ground Beef
Go for the leanest ground beef you can find and afford. Here’s how the common types compare:
| Type | Fat Content |
|---|---|
| Regular ground beef | 20% fat |
| Lean ground beef | 15% fat |
| Extra lean ground beef | 10% fat |
| Ground sirloin | 10% or less |
Mix in Healthier Ingredients
Add veggies, whole grains, or beans to make the dish more balanced:
- Bell peppers and onions for fajitas or tacos
- Shredded zucchini in meatballs or meatloaf
- Beans and tomatoes in chili
- Fresh spinach in lasagna
- Whole wheat breadcrumbs in burgers or meatballs
Skip High-Fat Mix-ins
Avoid adding extra high-fat ingredients like:
- Bacon crumbles
- Full-fat cheese
- Sour cream
- Mayonnaise or creamy sauces
- Butter for sautéing
Healthy Cooking Methods
Opt for lower-fat cooking techniques like:
- Grilling burgers or kebabs
- Roasting in the oven
- Slow-cooking in a Crockpot
- Making chili with tomatoes or broth
- Sautéing in broth instead of oil
FAQ
Does rinsing ground beef wash away flavor and nutrients?
Rinsing cooked ground beef with hot water can cause it to lose some flavor, juices, and nutrients. However, the losses are fairly minor, especially if you pat it dry afterwards. The health benefits of removing some of the fat and grease outweigh the small downsides.
Is grease bad for you?
In moderation, grease and fat are fine. But ground beef can release a lot of saturated fat and grease during cooking. Consuming high amounts of saturated fat from greasy beef dishes can raise cholesterol levels and heart disease risk. Draining excess grease helps reduce your intake of unhealthy fats.
Can you cook ground beef from frozen?
Yes, you can cook frozen ground beef directly from the freezer. It will take longer to thaw and brown, so make sure to cook over medium heat. Drain any released grease once it is fully cooked. For best results, thaw it overnight in the fridge before cooking.
Is browned ground beef fully cooked?
Browned ground beef is safe to eat as long as there is no pink color left inside. The USDA recommends cooking ground meats to an internal temperature of 160°F to kill any bacteria. Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature if you are concerned it may not be fully cooked through.
Can you cook ground beef in the microwave?
It is possible to cook ground beef in the microwave but it can lead to uneven cooking and a rubbery, lackluster texture. The microwave doesn’t brown the beef or allow the fat to render out. For best results, brown ground beef in a skillet on the stovetop then finish cooking in the microwave if needed.
Conclusion
Getting rid of excess grease when cooking with ground beef results in healthier, better tasting dishes. Try browning in a skillet then draining fat, using grease separators, rinsing with hot water, or blotting with paper towels. Choosing leaner beef and mixing in veggies and whole grains also limits the amount of grease. With a few simple tricks, you can cut back on fat and enjoy grease-free ground beef meals.