How Long Does It Take to Cook Minced Beef to Perfection?

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Learn how to cook ground beef the right way so it stays juicy but gets nicely browned. I’ll show you my secrets so it comes out perfectly every time.

Knowing how to cook ground beef well is a vital skill in my opinion. There are a lot of ways to use ground beef. I put it in my basic pasta sauce, baked ziti, nacho dip, and this quick Indian skillet dinner. I even love adding ground beef to my baked beans for a hearty side dish. Those are just a few recipes, though. You can use ground beef in practically everything.

Minced beef is a kitchen staple that can be used in so many quick, family-friendly meals From hearty pies and pastas to weeknight tacos and chilli, minced beef is the ultimate versatile ingredient But knowing exactly how long to cook it can be tricky. Undercook it and you risk food poisoning from bacteria. Overcook it and you end up with dry, chewy meat. So what’s the perfect timing to cook minced beef while keeping it juicy and safe to eat? Let’s take a detailed look.

Checking for Doneness in Minced Beef

The most foolproof way to ensure minced beef is properly cooked is to use a food thermometer. You want the internal temperature to reach 160°F (71°C). Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the meat, avoiding any bone or fat.

If you don’t have a thermometer look for these signs that the mince is fully cooked

  • No more pink color in the middle
  • Juices run clear, not pink
  • Meat has firmed up and is no longer mushy

The interior color of cooked minced beef can vary from brown to pink, so color alone is not the best indicator. Trust the thermometer for accuracy.

Factors That Affect Cooking Time

Several variables impact how quickly minced beef cooks:

  • Amount of meat – More meat takes longer to cook. Do smaller batches.
  • Fat content – Higher fat mince may cook faster than lean.
  • Cooking method – Pan-frying is fastest, braising takes longest.
  • Browning – Getting the meat crispy brown adds time.
  • Appliance wattage – Microwave power affects speed.
  • Chunk sizes – Finer mince cooks faster than chunky.

So cooking times can’t be universal. Get to know your gear and recipes to adjust accordingly.

Pan Frying Minced Beef

Pan-frying on the stovetop with a bit of oil is one of the quickest cooking methods. Follow this timeline as a guide:

  • 2-3 minutes to heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add mince and break up chunks with a spoon as it browns.
  • 5-7 minutes to continue cooking until no more pink color remains. Keep breaking up large chunks so it cooks evenly.
  • 2 optional minutes to crisp and brown the meat further.

The total pan frying time is around 7-10 minutes depending on desired browning. Work in smaller batches if cooking a large quantity.

Microwaving Minced Beef

The microwave produces steamed meat rather than crispy browned, but it’s speedy. Follow this process:

  • 30 seconds to arrange mince in a microwave-safe dish, add 2-3 tbsp water, and cover.
  • 2 minutes on high, allowing steam to prevent drying out.
  • 30 second bursts, stirring and microwaving until no pink remains.

2.5-3.5 minutes total is needed for microwave minced beef. Check often to prevent overcooking in the microwave.

Braising and Simmering Minced Beef

For dishes like stews, pasta sauce, and chili, minced beef benefits from longer braising:

  • 3-5 minutes to brown meat in the pot first.
  • 10 minutes to add liquid like stock and bring to a boil.
  • 20-40 minutes simmering until extremely tender.

When braising, plan on 30-45 minutes total to achieve fall-apart tender minced beef that infuses the sauce with flavor.

Grilling Minced Beef Patties and Kebabs

To cook minced beef on the barbecue or grill, shape into patties or skewer:

  • 6-8 minutes grilling patties/skewers, flipping halfway through.
  • 2-3 optional minutes for grill marks and char.

8-10 minutes total on a hot grill browns the exterior while cooking the inside.

Storing and Reheating Cooked Minced Beef

To save leftover cooked mince:

  • Let it cool fully before refrigerating in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
  • Freeze for 3-6 months for longer storage.
  • Reheat gently in the microwave with a splash of water just until warmed through.

Only reheat once and use within 3-4 days for food safety. Discard if any odd smells or textures develop.

The Takeaway

  • Use a food thermometer to cook minced beef to 160°F internal temperature.
  • Pan frying takes 7-10 minutes, microwaving 2.5-3.5 minutes, braising 30-45 minutes.
  • Cooking time varies based on meat amount, recipe, and appliances.
  • Let cool and refrigerate cooked mince for up to 4 days or freeze for later use.

Following these tips will help you achieve perfectly cooked, safe minced beef every time no matter what dish you have in mind! Just be sure to monitor temperature and doneness closely. Delicious dinners await!

how long does it take to cook minced beef

How To Cook Ground Beef

Moving the ground beef around a lot while it’s cooking will make it less flavorful when it’s done. This helps create a crust on the meat which is delicious.

I sauté it in cooking oil. I usually use olive oil because that’s my go-to, but your favorite cooking oil will work too.

It’s important to use a nice big pan. You can use a non-stick pan but it won’t brown the meat as well. I prefer stainless steel or a cast iron skillet because it gives a better crust to the meat than non-stick does. Using a thick heavy pan is ideal for this since it cooks more evenly as well. Also, make sure your meat is going into a hot pan!

Once the beef goes into the pan, I flatten it out like a big, thin burger patty. As soon as a crust starts to form, I use a wooden spoon to break it up and flip it over. Then I let the meat cook through completely before breaking it into even smaller clusters.

I like cooking ground beef this way, but did you know you can also use an air fryer?

The meat needs to be seasoned no matter what you’re going to do with it. In the recipe below I add salt and pepper at the end. You can also add it midway through. It doesn’t matter much.

Garlic powder is another thing that I like to add. Chili powder works well too. I haven’t added anything else to the recipe because it depends on what you plan to do with the meat besides salt and pepper.

Video: How To Cook Perfect Ground Beef

Chances are, you have lots of options at your store for ground beef. Sometimes you’ll find what specific cut the meat is from, but you’ll also find the fat-to-lean content. If the label says 85.15%, that means it’s 85.15% lean ground beef and 15.0% fat. This is the most common ratio and generally considered all-purpose. You might want more fat (70/30 to 80/20) for really juicy burgers or extra-lean (90/10) for tacos or sauces, but if you’re not sure, choose 85/15 like I’m showing you today.

Look for the freshest meat available, packages that have the furthest out sell-by date. Once you’ve selected your ground beef, keep it cold and cook it within a couple days of purchasing. You can freeze it for up to three months to keep it longer. Just put it in a freezer bag and squeeze out as much air as you can. After it’s been cooked, it can be refrigerated for up to a week.

How To Cook Ground Beef

FAQ

How long is minced beef cooked?

Minced beef should be cooked until it is no longer pink before eating. Cooking times may vary depending on the quantity and the heat source, but generally, mince will be thoroughly cooked after browning for 6-8 minutes.

How long does raw mince take to cook?

The best way to cook beef mince Add a dash of oil to a hot frying pan. Remove the beef mince from the packaging and distribute it evenly into the pan. Stir it over the high heat for around 6-8 minutes, so it doesn’t stick to the pan and browns evenly.

How to know if minced meat is cooked?

Take your food off the heat and insert a clean thermometer probe into the thickest part of the meat or poultry. It is fully cooked when the temperature reaches 75ºC. The thickest part of the meat is usually the centre (for example, of a burger or sausage).

How long should it take to cook ground beef?

(Remember, a bit of pink is okay if the meat registers 160°F.) On most stove tops, browning a pound of ground beef takes approximately 7 to 10 minutes. Remember, it’s important to continue stirring and breaking the pieces into the same size with the wooden spoon or heatproof spatula so the ground beef cooks evenly.

How to cook minced beef?

Minced beef should only take around 15-20 minutes to cook through in a pan over a medium heat. Be sure to stir it often to avoid it sticking to the bottom. So, once you know how to cook minced beef Let’s move onto a basic mince recipe, mince and onions. This is a really handy filling recipe to know.

How long does minced beef take to cook?

Minced beef should only take around 15-20 minutes to cook through in a pan over a medium heat. Be sure to stir it often to avoid it sticking to the bottom. So, once you know how to cook minced beef Let’s move onto a basic mince recipe, mince and onions. This is a really handy filling recipe to know. How long do you cook minced beef in the oven?

How do you cook minced beef in a slow cooker?

Tip the minced beef, chopped onions, stock pot, pinch of salt and pepper in the slow cooker pan. Pour in 250ml boiling water. Mix everything together and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3 hours. (always check that the meat is cooked though properly before serving) Cooks Note!

How long does it take to pan fry minced beef?

So in total, pan frying minced beef takes 7-10 minutes depending on how browned you like it. The key is to keep breaking up the meat so it cooks evenly. If cooking a large batch, you may need to do it in smaller portions. Just add more oil and reheat the pan between batches.

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