People usually talk about ground beef and ground pork as the stars of the meal, but ground chicken doesn’t get much attention. Ground chicken, on the other hand, is cheaper, full of flavor, and full of protein. It’s also lighter and more tender.
Ground chicken can also be used in a lot of different ways. It can be used to make burgers and meatballs, as well as sauces for many different dishes. Try it inside manicotti noodles or enchiladas; in lasagnas or in chili. In your favorite spaghetti sauce, use it instead of beef or pork. On pizza, in cabbage rolls, and in shepherd’s pie.
What you can do with beef or pork, you can do with ground chicken. You just need to follow a few simple tips.
Because it has fewer saturated fats, lean ground chicken is usually a better choice than beef or pork. This is because lean ground chicken is made from white meat, which has much less fat.
Less fat might be better for you, but it also means less moisture. That’s why ground chicken gets a bad name for being dry. This is easy to fix, though. All ground chicken needs are some helpers—ingredients that add flavor, fat, and moisture.
When handling raw chicken, you should be careful because it could have bacteria like salmonella that are harmful. Always wash your hands, tools, and surfaces with soap and water before and after contact with raw chicken.
Chicken that isn’t fully cooked could have bacteria that are bad for you, so pay close attention to the meat’s color and texture:
If you’ve added other ingredients to the ground chicken, it may be difficult to check the meat’s colour. First, heat the ground chicken by itself until it’s fully cooked. Then, add any spices, pastes, or other liquids and ingredients.
Lean ground chicken doesn’t take long to cook—around 5 to 7 minutes. Cook it over low to medium heat for a longer time to keep the meat’s little bit of moisture from drying out. Be aware that adding other meat, fats, and oils will change the cooking time.
It’s not necessary to drain ground chicken of its liquid unless the recipe says to. Don’t let those tasty juices go down the drain.
Ground chicken can be safely stored in a container in the fridge between 3-4 days. Ensure the fridge temperature is no higher than 4°C.
Combining Ground Beef and Chicken – The Ultimate Guide
Ground beef and chicken are two versatile pantry staples used in a variety of delicious dishes. But have you ever considered blending them together? Mixing ground beef and chicken can create a unique meat blend with new flavors and textures.
In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about combining ground beef and chicken, including the benefits, proper mixing techniques, how it affects nutrition, the best recipe applications, and helpful cooking tips.
Ready to take your weeknight dinners up a notch? Read on to learn why mixing ground beef and chicken could become your new go-to protein base
How to Mix Ground Beef and Chicken
Luckily, mixing ground beef and chicken is simple:
-
Use equal amounts or adjust ratios based on preferences. 50/50 blends well.
-
Crumble meats into a bowl breaking up any large pieces.
-
Use hands to thoroughly knead and incorporate. Distribute evenly.
-
Season generously with spices, herbs, salt, and pepper.
-
Cook like regular ground meat to a safe internal temperature.
Be sure beef and chicken are fully defrosted if using frozen. Mix just until combined, not overworked Now the dynamic duo is ready to cook!
Benefits of Blending Beef and Chicken
There are many advantages to mixing ground beef and chicken:
-
More interesting flavor complexity compared to a single meat
-
Leaner and lighter option than all beef
-
Can use less beef to stretch further for budget
-
Works beautifully in tacos, burgers, meatballs, chili, etc.
-
Provides a complete protein with a nutritional boost
The blend is ideal for those seeking a lighter ground meat option with added moisture and richer taste. Kids may also enjoy the milder flavors.
Best Dishes and Recipes
This supremely adaptable protein blend can be used anywhere you’d use regular ground beef or turkey. Some top ways to enjoy:
-
Juicy burgers with chicken keeping them from drying out
-
Meatballs, meatloaf, and cottage pie for comforting flavors
-
Hearty yet leaner tacos, burritos, enchiladas
-
Spaghetti sauce, lasagna, or ragu with deeper taste
-
Chili, sloppy joes, or stuffed peppers
-
Scrambled or crumbled into breakfast dishes
From quick weeknight meals to party foods, this combo has you covered!
Handy Mixing and Cooking Tips
Follow these tips for maximum success with blended ground beef and chicken:
-
Use 85-90% lean beef so it won’t be too fatty after mixing.
-
Add breadcrumbs or egg to help bind, especially for burgers and meatballs.
-
Freeze in patties or meatballs for easy defrosting later.
-
Season aggressively with spices and marinate for fuller flavor.
-
Avoid overmixing once combined to prevent dense texture.
-
Cook to proper food safety temperatures – at least 160°F for chicken and 160-165°F for beef.
-
Brush patties or meatballs with oil while cooking to prevent drying out.
-
Allow patties and meatballs to rest 5 minutes after cooking for juicier results.
Nutrition Comparison
So how do ground beef and chicken differ nutrition-wise? Here’s a quick look:
-
Chicken has fewer calories and fat than beef. Much lower in saturated fat and cholesterol.
-
Beef has more protein and iron; chicken has more niacin, vitamin B6, and selenium.
-
Mixing provides a nutritional balance with vitamins and minerals from both meats.
The chicken lightens up the higher fat content of the beef for a healthier overall blend.
Tips for Meal Planning
When planning meals, keep this in mind:
-
Use more chicken for lighter dishes like soups, tacos, pasta sauce.
-
Use more beef for heartier foods like burgers, meatloaf, shepherd’s pie.
-
For kids or those wanting less intense flavor, lean toward more chicken.
-
For adults who want bold meaty flavor, use more beef in the blend.
-
Store raw blend in fridge 1-2 days, or freeze in portions for longer storage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some commonly asked questions:
Is it safe to combine different raw meats?
Yes, as long as you cook the blended meat thoroughly to safe internal temperatures.
Will the flavor and texture be much different than just beef?
It will be slightly lighter and less dense but with added flavor complexity. Most won’t notice a dramatic difference.
Which meat should be used more in the blend?
It depends on your taste and recipe. Use more chicken for lighter dishes, more beef for heartier foods. 50/50 works well in most recipes.
Can you substitute the blend for recipes calling for just ground beef?
Absolutely! The chicken-beef combo can be swapped in a 1:1 ratio for regular ground beef in tacos, burgers, meatloaf, etc.
Should you season the blend differently than regular ground beef?
No, season as you normally would. Salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder all work great. Adjust to your taste.
The Takeaway
Blending ground beef and chicken is an easy way to amp up your weeknight cooking. The combo provides a lighter, leaner option with more complex flavor than beef alone, at a budget-friendly price.
Use a 50/50 blend or adjust ratios to suit your needs. Mixing just until incorporated and cooking thoroughly will give delicious results in tacos, chili, burgers, meatballs, and more.
So next time a recipe calls for ground meat, don’t reach for boring old beef – try this dynamic mixed meat duo instead. You may never go back to single protein ground meat again!
How To Cook: Ground Chicken
FAQ
Is it okay to combine chicken and beef?
Can I cook chicken and ground beef together?
Can you mix ground meats?
Does ground chicken cook the same as ground beef?
Can you mix ground chicken and beef?
Ground chicken and beef are both great options for a lean protein source, but they can also be combined to create an even more balanced meal. Here are a few tips for mixing the two: Choose a fattier ground beef to mix with a leaner ground chicken. This will help keep the overall calorie and fat content down, without compromising on flavor.
Can you cook beef & chicken together?
If you’ve got some cuts of beef and chicken to cook on the grill, there is no reason why you cannot cook them together! The USDA advises that this is a perfectly safe practice, as long as each meat reaches the intended internal temperature.
Do you need ground chicken to make burgers?
Besides the ground chicken and some seasonings, there really isn’t much else needed to make these burgers. Here is what you’ll need: Ground chicken breasts – As mentioned earlier, I prefer using lean ground chicken because the addition of oil in the mixture keeps them super juicy and tender. Also, higher fat cuts tend to be more soggy and greasy.
Can you cook two different meats together?
Yes, you can cook two different meats together. In general, it’s a good idea to cook similar-sized pieces of meat so that they cook evenly. You may also want to season the meats differently to create complementary flavors. Is ground chicken healthy? Ground chicken is a healthy option for a protein source.