When making tacos at home, one of the key steps is browning the ground beef. As the beef cooks, fat and juices are released from the meat. This leaves home cooks with the question – should I drain off some of that fat before assembling my tacos? There are pros and cons to consider when deciding whether or not to drain fat from taco meat.
Pros of Draining Fat from Taco Meat
Here are some of the potential benefits of draining excess fat from taco meat:
Lower Fat Content
Draining off some of the grease and fat can reduce the overall fat content of your taco filling. For those looking to make a healthier taco, draining fat is an easy way to cut a few calories and grams of fat. This may appeal to people watching their weight or who want to serve tacos as part of a healthy meal.
Less Mess
Excess grease and fat in the taco meat can make tacos messier to eat. The fat can drip out of the shell or tortilla. Draining off some of that excess grease helps keep tacos neater to assemble and eat.
Avoid Greasy Texture
Leaving all the fat in the meat mixture can sometimes give the taco filling an overly loose, greasy texture. Draining the fat helps remove some of that greasy mouthfeel. The taco filling will be a bit more solid and less runny.
Longer Shelf Life
Fat can go rancid over time, decreasing the shelf life of the taco meat mixture. Draining away some of the fat may help the taco meat last a little longer in the fridge before spoiling.
Cons of Draining Fat from Taco Meat
Despite the potential benefits, there are also some downsides to draining fat from taco meat:
Loss of Flavor
Fat carries a lot of flavor. Pouring off grease and fat drains away some of the beefy, meaty taste of the taco meat. You lose some of that nice savory flavor that fat imparts.
Drier Texture
Without as much fat, the taco meat can end up drier and less moist. Fat helps keep ground meat juicy. Removing too much fat makes the meat mixture a little dry and crumbly.
Difficulty Browning
Fat helps the ground meat brown nicely in the pan. If you drain away too much of the fat, it can become harder to get the nice crispy browning on the meat.
Time Consuming
Having to drain excess grease takes extra time. You have to carefully pour off the fat, being cautious not to spill the meat. It adds an extra step compared to simply seasoning the cooked meat.
Potential Mess
Draining grease can be messy if you accidentally pour off too much fat at once or don’t have a vessel ready to catch it. Hot grease can easily spill and make a mess on the stovetop if you aren’t careful.
How Much Fat to Drain
So when it comes to draining fat from taco meat, how much should you remove? Here are some guidelines:
– For leaner meat, don’t drain any fat. Extra-lean ground beef needs all its fat for moisture and flavor.
– For fattier meats like 80/20 ground beef, consider draining just some of the grease – maybe 1-2 tablespoons. This removes just enough to prevent a greasy texture but leaves plenty for moisture and taste.
– Drain fat until you’ve removed any excess pools of grease but leave enough coating on the meat to keep it from drying out.
– Use a slotted spoon rather than pouring through a colander. This leaves more fat clinging to the meat rather than draining it completely.
– Don’t drain until after the meat is fully browned. Draining early prevents nice browning.
How to Drain Fat from Taco Meat
If you do want to drain off some of the fat from your cooked taco meat, here is an easy process:
Use a Slotted Spoon
A slotted spoon is ideal for draining taco meat. The slots allow grease to run off while the meat stays in the spoon. Use a large slotted metal spoon to scoop out the meat, allowing excess fat to drip back into the skillet.
Tilt the Pan
After cooking the meat, tilt the skillet so the fat and grease pools to one side. Use your slotted spoon to scoop meat from the other side, where less fat has accumulated. The tilted pan lets grease drain away from the meat more easily.
Drain into a Heatproof Bowl
Have a small heatproof bowl ready when draining. As you scoop the meat, hold it over the bowl so fat drips off into the vessel. This captures the grease instead of leaving a mess.
Blot with Paper Towels
For a bit more fat removal, transfer the cooked meat to a plate lined with paper towels. The towels will soak up any remaining grease on the bottom of the meat.
What About Draining After Browning in a Crockpot?
Many people brown taco meat on the stovetop first before slow cooking it in a crockpot. Should you drain the fat after stovetop browning but before crockpot cooking? Here are some tips:
– Yes, drain the fat after stovetop browning. The meat won’t be cooking in that fat, so draining it removes excess calories and grease.
– Use a spoon or spatula to scrape any browned bits off the bottom of the pan. This adds flavor before draining the fat.
– Leave a little bit of fat in the pan to help the meat stay moist during crockpot cooking.
– Choose lower fat meats like 90/10 ground beef so less fat renders out during browning. This minimizes the amount you need to drain.
– Use broth or salsa in the crockpot to add moisture along with the reserved browned bits from the skillet.
Should You Drain Fat After Browning in the Instant Pot?
What about draining grease when browning taco meat in an Instant Pot or pressure cooker?
– It’s not necessary to drain fat after browning in the Instant Pot inner pot. The fat will get incorporated into the recipe as it cooks.
– Leaving the fat adds moisture and flavor as the meat cooks under pressure. Draining may cause dry results.
– Choose a leaner ground beef, around 85/15 fat ratio, to limit excess grease in Instant Pot tacos.
– Use the saute function to brown the meat well before pressure cooking. This develops flavor despite less overall fat.
– Add some broth or water before pressure cooking to further boost moisture. The steam will keep the meat tender.
Storing and Reheating Leftover Taco Meat
When storing leftover taco meat in the refrigerator, should you leave the fat or drain it before storing? Here are some tips:
Leave the Fat Before Refrigerating
For best results, don’t drain the leftover taco meat before refrigerating. Leaving the fat helps the meat retain moisture and flavor during storage.
Allow to Cool Slightly Before Refrigerating
Very hot taco meat straight from the stovetop or Instant Pot will keep cooking if refrigerated immediately. Allow it to cool down slightly so the fat has a chance to resolidify before chilling.
Refrigerate in a Shallow Dish
Spreading the meat out in a thin layer helps it cool faster in the fridge. This prevents the meat from staying in the danger zone temperature too long.
Use Within 3-4 Days
For food safety, consume refrigerated leftover taco meat within 3-4 days. The fat content makes it more prone to spoiling. Reheating thoroughly before serving.
Drain Fat Before Reheating
When reheating leftover taco meat, drain off any excess fat that has solidified before reheating. This prevents greasiness when serving.
Other Tips for Making Flavorful Taco Meat
Even if you do drain some fat from the meat, you can still boost flavor using these tips:
– Brown the meat well over high heat so the meat develops a nice fond on the bottom of the pan.
– Use spices like chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, and salt. Apply generously for lots of flavor.
– Add a splash of beer or wine to the meat while cooking for extra depth.
– Opt for 85% lean ground beef or higher so you can drain fat without drying out the meat.
– Sauté aromatics like chopped onions, bell peppers, or garlic before adding ground beef.
– Add heat with chopped fresh chilies or chili-based hot sauces.
Conclusion
Draining excess fat from taco meat offers some benefits but also results in tradeoffs in terms of texture and flavor. There are good arguments on both sides of whether or not to remove the grease. The best approach depends on your goals and preferences. For slightly leaner and less messy tacos, draining some fat is worthwhile. But for maximum flavor, leaving all the fat in ensures a delicious taco filling. Use a moderate approach, draining just enough grease to prevent a greasy texture while still keeping the meat moist. With some experimentation in the kitchen, you can find the right fat-draining balance to suit your ideal taco profile.