Ground beef is a versatile and popular ingredient used in many dishes like burgers, meatloaf, tacos, pasta sauce, and more. When a recipe calls for cooked ground beef by volume, it’s helpful to know approximately how much raw ground beef is needed to yield that after cooking. This guide provides details on how much cooked ground beef fills a measuring cup and how to convert between weights and volumes.
Key Points
- 1 cup of cooked ground beef is equal to about 4 ounces or 1/4 pound of raw ground beef before cooking.
- Ground beef loses about 25% of its weight after cooking due to fat rendering and moisture evaporating.
- To substitute mass for volume, 1 cup of cooked ground beef = 113 grams.
Details on the Weight to Volume Conversion
When ground beef is cooked, it loses both fat and moisture in the cooking process. The fat renders out and the water evaporates, decreasing the overall weight and volume. On average, ground beef loses about 25% of its raw weight when cooked. The exact amount can vary a bit depending on the leanness of the beef and how thoroughly it’s cooked.
So when a recipe calls for 1 cup of cooked ground beef, you’ll need to start with a bit more raw beef to account for the weight loss. Specifically, to get 1 cooked cup of ground beef you should start with:
- 1 1/4 cups raw ground beef
- About 4 ounces raw ground beef
- 1/4 pound raw ground beef
After cooking, those amounts will reduce down to 1 cup or 4 ounces or 1/4 pound cooked ground beef. This accounts for the approximately 25% weight loss.
Volume to Weight Conversions
You can also convert the volume of cooked ground beef to a weight. Useful conversions include:
- 1 cup cooked ground beef = 113 grams cooked ground beef
- 4 ounces cooked ground beef = 113 grams
- 1/4 pound cooked ground beef = 113 grams
Weight Conversions for Raw Ground Beef
When working with raw ground beef, these weight conversions may be helpful:
- 1 pound raw ground beef = 454 grams
- 1/2 pound raw ground beef = 227 grams
- 1/4 pound raw ground beef = 113 grams
- 4 ounces raw ground beef = 113 grams
Remember raw ground beef will reduce by about 25% after cooking. So 113 grams raw will yield about 85 grams cooked.
Volume Conversions for Raw Ground Beef
Volume measures for raw ground beef include:
- 1 cup raw ground beef = 237 milliliters
- 1/2 cup raw ground beef = 118 milliliters
- 1/4 cup raw ground beef = 59 milliliters
- 1/8 cup raw ground beef = 30 milliliters
Again, raw ground beef will reduce in volume after cooking due to moisture loss. So 1 cup raw will yield about 3/4 cup cooked.
Tips for Cooking Ground Beef
Here are some tips for cooking ground beef so it retains maximum flavor and juice:
- Use 80/20 or 85/15 lean/fat ratio ground beef. Ground beef with a higher fat ratio will shrink less and be more tender and juicy.
- Avoid overcrowding the pan. Cook ground beef in batches if needed.
- Don’t overcook it. Cook to 160°F internal temperature then immediately remove from heat.
- Drain excess grease after cooking but don’t press or crush the meat which can make it dry.
- Add a bit of liquid like broth when reheating cooked ground beef.
Browning Ground Beef
Browning adds great flavor to ground beef. Follow these tips:
- Use a heavy skillet and get it very hot before adding oil.
- Pat beef dry before adding to the pan.
- Add oil then beef. Don’t overcrowd pan.
- Cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes to brown.
- Break up meat into crumbles and finish cooking.
Ground Beef Nutrition Facts
Here are some key nutrition facts for 3 ounces (85 grams) of lean cooked ground beef:
- Calories: 179
- Fat: 8 grams
- Protein: 24 grams
- Iron: 15% DV
- Zinc: 26% DV
- Vitamin B12: 25% DV
Ground beef is high in protein, vitamins, and minerals. Choosing leaner blends can reduce the fat and calories. It provides great nutritional value when eaten in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
Cost of Ground Beef
The cost of ground beef can vary depending on the store, quality, fat ratio, and whether organic is chosen. Some average price ranges include:
- Conventional 80/20 ground beef: $3.50 – $4.50 per pound
- Conventional 90/10 ground beef: $4.50 – $6.00 per pound
- Organic 85/15 ground beef: $6.00 – $8.00 per pound
Watch for sales, buy in bulk, and portion any extra into the freezer to save money. Ground beef often goes on sale for $2.99 to $3.99 per pound at many major grocery stores.
How to Store Cooked Ground Beef
Proper storage is important for preserving flavor and food safety with cooked ground beef. Follow these tips:
- Refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking.
- Store in airtight shallow containers to allow rapid cooling.
- Use within 3-4 days for best quality.
- Freeze extra cooked beef for longer storage.
- Portion into recipes before freezing for easy thawing.
Freezing Tips
To freeze cooked ground beef:
- Cool completely before freezing.
- Package in freezer bags, containers, or wrap tightly in plastic wrap.
- Remove as much air as possible.
- Label with contents and date.
- Freeze for up to 3-4 months.
Thaw frozen cooked ground beef in the refrigerator or microwave on defrost setting before reheating.
Tasty Ways to Use Cooked Ground Beef
Cooked ground beef is versatile for many quick and easy meals. Here are some delicious recipe ideas:
- Cheeseburger macaroni
- Shepherd’s pie
- Beef tacos
- Sloppy joes
- Pasta bolognese sauce
- Stuffed peppers or zucchini
- Beef and potato casserole
Have cooked ground beef ready in the fridge or freezer for an easy protein boost to salads, wraps, pizza, soups, and more.
FAQs
What’s the best fat ratio for ground beef?
80/20 or 85/15 lean/fat ratio ground beef provides the best moisture and flavor. Going above 90% lean can become overly dry when cooked.
Can you freeze raw ground beef after the sell-by date?
Yes, as long as raw ground beef still looks and smells fresh, it can safely be frozen 1-2 days past the sell-by date printed on the package.
How long does cooked ground beef last in the fridge?
Cooked ground beef will keep fresh in the fridge for 3-4 days if stored properly in airtight shallow containers.
Conclusion
Knowing approximately how much raw ground beef is needed to yield 1 cup cooked allows for easy cooking and recipe planning. On average, 1 cup cooked ground beef comes from 4 ounces or 1/4 pound raw. Proper cooking, storage, and reheating keeps ground beef safe, tender, and delicious.