Demystifying 4 Ounces: A Complete Visual Guide to Cooking with Ground Beef

Ground beef is a versatile staple used in everything from burgers to Bolognese sauce. Many recipes call for a 4 ounce portion. But for beginner cooks, visualizing exactly how much meat that is can be confusing. In this article, I’ll give you a complete visual guide to cooking with 4 ounces of ground beef.

What Does 4 Ounces of Raw Ground Beef Look Like?

When raw 4 ounces of ground beef is about

• The size of a hockey puck or tennis ball
• 1⁄4 pound
• 1⁄2 cup loosely packed
• 1⁄2 of an 8 ounce package from the grocery store

So if you divide a 1 pound package of ground beef in half each half will be approximately 4 ounces.

Here’s a simple visualization of 4 ounces of raw ground beef:

![Raw 4 Ounces of Ground Beef][]

It’s roughly a 1⁄2 inch thick patty about 4 inches wide – the size of a flattened tennis ball.

For the most accuracy, use a kitchen scale to weigh out 4 ounces of ground beef rather than eyeballing it.

How Much Does 4 Ounces Shrink When Cooked?

When ground beef cooks, it loses moisture and shrinks in size. You’ll end up with around 2-3 ounces of cooked ground beef from a 4 ounce raw portion.

If your recipe calls for 4 ounces cooked, start with 5-6 ounces raw to account for the reduction in volume during cooking.

What Does Cooked Ground Beef Look Like?

Cooked ground beef will be browned throughout with no pink center when it reaches 160°F internally.

4 ounces of cooked ground beef is around:

• 2-3 inches wide
• 1⁄2 inch thick
• The size of a hockey puck or baseball

It shrinks as it cooks, so the cooked amount will be slightly smaller than the raw 4 ounces.

Perfect Ways to Use 4 Ounces of Ground Beef

Knowing how much meat 4 ounces provides makes it easy to substitute in all kinds of recipes. Here are some common ways to use 4 ounces of cooked ground beef:

• Burger patties
• Meatballs (makes 2-3)
• Tacos (filling for 2-3)
• Hearty pasta sauce
• Soup or chili base
• Cottage pie or shepherd’s pie filling
• Stuffed peppers or mushrooms

You can also use 4 ounces raw ground beef to make meatloaf, stuffed cabbage rolls, or casserole bases. Get creative!

Cooking Tips for Perfectly Browned Ground Beef

Follow these tips when cooking ground beef:

• Cook in batches to avoid crowding the pan
• Break up the meat with a spoon as it cooks
• Cook to an internal temperature of 160°F
• Drain excess fat after browning for healthier results
• Season boldly with spices and fresh herbs
• Sauté aromatics like garlic and onion to boost flavor
• Simmer in sauce to impart maximum flavor

Proper cooking brings out the delicious beefy flavor.

Storing Leftovers

• Refrigerate cooked ground beef for 3-4 days
• Freeze leftovers for 2-3 months
• Portion into recipe-sized amounts before freezing

Proper storage keeps ground beef ready for quick meals.

The Takeaway

4 ounces of ground beef is about the size of a hockey puck raw and shrinks slightly when cooked. With this visual guide, you’ll know exactly how much meat to use in recipes calling for the versatile 4 ounce portion size. Start cooking better burgers, tacos, meatballs and more!