Ground beef is a versatile and popular meat that is used in many recipes. When a recipe calls for “1 cup of cooked ground beef”, it’s referring to the volume measurement after the meat has been browned and cooked. However, weighing ingredients can be more accurate than measuring by volume. So how much does 1 cup of cooked ground beef actually weigh?
The Weight of Raw Ground Beef
To determine the cooked weight, we first need to know the raw weight. The weight of raw ground beef depends on the fat content:
- Lean ground beef (90/10): 1 pound of raw 90/10 ground beef yields about 3.5 cups raw
- Regular ground beef (80/20): 1 pound of raw 80/20 ground beef yields about 4 cups raw
- Fatty ground beef (70/30): 1 pound of raw 70/30 ground beef yields about 4.5 cups raw
As you can see, the fattier the ground beef, the greater volume per pound. This is because fat is less dense than lean meat. Keep this information in mind as we determine the cooked weight.
How Cooking Affects Weight and Volume
When ground beef is cooked, both the weight and volume reduce due to water loss. The meat shrinks and condenses. The amount of reduction depends on the cooking method and doneness:
- Browning loose ground beef decreases volume by about 25% and weight by about 20%
- Forming beef into a patty and grilling reduces weight and volume more, around 40%
- Mincing and sautéing ground beef reduces weight and volume about 50%
In general, you can estimate a 25-40% reduction in the weight of cooked ground beef compared to raw, depending on preparation.
The Weight of 1 Cup Cooked Ground Beef
Now we can calculate the cooked weight per volume, based on the raw weight and cooking reduction percentages:
| Fat Content | 1 lb Raw Equals | 25% Reduction | 40% Reduction |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90/10 | ~3.5 cups | 210g | 180g |
| 80/20 | ~4 cups | 200g | 170g |
| 70/30 | ~4.5 cups | 190g | 160g |
As shown in the table:
- For 90/10 ground beef, 1 cup cooked weighs approximately 210g (25% reduction) or 180g (40% reduction)
- For 80/20, 1 cup cooked weighs about 200g or 170g
- For 70/30, 1 cup cooked weighs roughly 190g or 160g
The weight ranges from 160g (5.6oz) for fattier beef cooked well, up to 210g (7.4oz) for leaner beef with less cooking reduction.
Factors That Affect Weight
There are a few factors that can result in variation from these estimates:
- Meat texture – Coarsely ground beef weighs less per cup than finely minced meat
- Cooking method – Oven-roasting has more reduction than skillet cooking
- Cook time – Longer cooking shrinks meat more than quick cooking
- Moisture content – Dripping extra fat or blotting reduces weight more
For example, one test found 1 cup of cooked coarse ground beef weighed 6oz, while fine mince weighed 8oz. So the texture can have a significant impact.
Weight Ranges Per Cup
Given all these factors, here are the typical weight ranges for 1 cup cooked ground beef:
- Coarse ground beef: 5.5-7oz (155-200g)
- Regular ground beef: 6-8oz (170-225g)
- Finely minced beef: 7-9oz (200-255g)
For lean vs fatty beef:
- 90/10 ground beef: 6.5-8oz (185-225g)
- 80/20 ground beef: 6-8oz (170-225g)
- 70/30 ground beef: 5.5-7oz (155-200g)
Conclusion
So in summary, for most recipes you can estimate:
- 1 cup coarse ground beef weighs ~6oz
- 1 cup regular ground beef weighs ~7oz
- 1 cup fine minced beef weighs ~8oz
Knowing the approximate weights of cooked ground beef makes it easier to adapt recipes or scale ingredient amounts. With a standard weight per volume, you can better plan quantities and get consistent results.
However, keep in mind that the exact weight depends on the fat ratio, texture, cooking method, and doneness. To get a more precise cooked weight for your beef, consider weighing it directly after browning a test portion. This will account for the real weight loss of your specific beef and preparation.
Some final tips when working with ground beef by volume:
- Start with lean or regular ground beef for more consistent weights
- Cook and mince the meat thoroughly for better volume accuracy
- Weigh your cooked beef for a recipe to eliminate guesswork
With these guidelines, you can more reliably substitute weight for volume when cooking with ground beef. Understanding the relationship between raw meat, fat ratio, preparation, and cooked weight will help you become a better cook when ground beef is called for.