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How to cook a lot of ground beef quickly?

Cooking a large quantity of ground beef can be a daunting task. However, with some planning and preparation, it is possible to quickly cook pounds of ground beef for a crowd. In this article, we will provide tips and techniques for efficiently browning ground beef in bulk, keeping the meat from clumping, adding flavor, and ensuring food safety.

Why Cook a Lot of Ground Beef?

There are several reasons you may need to cook a large batch of ground beef all at once:

  • Making chili, Bolognese sauce, tacos, sloppy joes, or other dishes for a crowd or meal prep
  • Preparing homemade burger patties for a barbecue or large gathering
  • Meal prepping ground beef for the week to use in various recipes
  • Canning or freezing large quantities of cooked ground beef

When cooking for a crowd, it’s most efficient to cook the beef in one or two large batches, rather than cooking many small batches. With the right techniques, you can quickly brown pounds of ground beef without it turning out overcooked or undercooked.

How Much Ground Beef to Buy

When shopping for ground beef to cook in bulk, here are some tips:

  • Plan for about 1/3 to 1/2 pound uncooked beef per person, depending on the dish and appetites.
  • Buy 25% to 27% fat content ground beef for the best flavor and texture.
  • Purchase beef in bulk family packs or have the butcher grind a custom batch to get the total quantity you need.
  • For food safety, plan to use the cooked beef within 4 days or freeze portions for longer storage.

Equipment for Cooking a Lot of Ground Beef

Having the right gear will make quick work of pounds of ground beef. Equipment to have on hand:

  • A very large skillet, stockpot, or Dutch oven – at least 12 inches for 5+ pounds of beef.
  • A heavy spatula or spoon for breaking up and stirring the meat.
  • Tongs for safely transferring cooked beef.
  • A splatter screen to prevent grease pops.
  • Kitchen towels for handling hot cookware.
  • Gloves for protection when browning large amounts.

Browning Ground Beef without Clumping

Browning a lot of ground beef while avoiding clumps takes some finesse. Here are tips for keeping the meat crumbly as it cooks:

  • Use a very large nonstick skillet or pot to avoid crowding.
  • Brown beef in smaller batches for better control – no more than 2 pounds per batch.
  • Break up meat thoroughly with a spoon or spatula as it cooks.
  • Add a tablespoon of oil to the pan to keep beef from sticking.
  • Cook over medium-high heat to brown the meat without steaming it.
  • Drain excess grease as needed to prevent simmering the meat.
  • Avoid pressing down on the meat to flatten it while cooking.

Seasoning Ground Beef

For great flavor throughout the batch, season the beef in stages:

  • Season each batch while browning – salt, pepper, garlic powder, etc.
  • Add any aromatics to the pan like onion, garlic, herbs.
  • Season again after all batches are cooked and combined.
  • Add sauces, tomatoes, spices, etc. once off heat.

Food Safety Tips

When working with large amounts of perishable raw meat, be diligent about food safety:

  • Wash hands and surfaces thoroughly before and after handling raw beef.
  • Use separate cutting boards and utensils for raw meat to avoid cross-contamination.
  • Cook beef thoroughly to an internal temperature of 160°F.
  • Never leave raw or cooked beef sitting out at room temperature for more than 2 hours total.
  • Refrigerate cooked beef within 1 hour – divide into smaller containers to chill quickly.
  • Use refrigerated beef within 4 days or freeze for longer storage.

Tips for Quickly Browning 5+ Pounds of Ground Beef

Here are some time-saving techniques when faced with browning a very large batch of ground beef:

  • Separate beef into 2 to 3 pound batches for more control.
  • Use two large skillets or pots simultaneously to cook multiple smaller batches at once.
  • Enlist help – have someone else wash dishes, prepare other ingredients, etc. while you focus on the beef.
  • Use paper towels to blot grease instead of stopping to drain grease from the pan each time.
  • Set a timer and frequently check to stir and break up meat as it cooks.
  • Empty the pan completely before adding the next batch to avoid overcrowding.

How to Cook 5 Pounds of Ground Beef

Follow this straightforward process for browning a very large quantity of ground beef:

  1. Separating beef into 2-3 pound batches.
  2. Pat meat lightly with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
  3. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in each very large skillet over medium-high heat.
  4. Add one batch of beef to each pan, spreading out evenly.
  5. Cook 5-6 minutes, breaking up chunks thoroughly with spoon as it cooks.
  6. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, garlic powder, etc. and mix well.
  7. Continue cooking about 10 more minutes, stirring and breaking up clumps, until browned.
  8. Use slotted spoon to transfer cooked beef to a colander to drain grease.
  9. Blot excess grease from pans with paper towels.
  10. Repeat process with remaining beef batches, wiping skillet clean if needed.
  11. Once all beef is cooked, season again to taste.
  12. Use beef for recipes, freeze, or refrigerate within 1 hour.

Cooking a Full 10 Pounds of Ground Beef

For an extra-large batch, these tips will help:

  • Separate beef into 4 batches around 2.5 pounds each.
  • Use the oven and stovetop at the same time – brown 2 batches on the stove while baking the others.
  • Use a rimmed baking sheet in the oven – spread beef in an even layer and bake at 400°F, stirring every 5 minutes until browned.
  • Employ multiple cooks – have someone watch oven batches while you focus on the stovetop.
  • Take cooked batches straight from the oven or stove to the refrigerator or freezer.
  • Plan for the whole process to take 1-2 hours for this quantity of ground beef.

Serving and Storing Large Quantities of Cooked Beef

Once your beef is cooked, here are some tips for serving it or storing leftovers:

  • For buffet-style service, keep beef warm in a slow cooker or chafing dish on the low or warm setting.
  • Or portion beef into serving bowls kept on ice for self-serve.
  • Refrigerate beef in shallow containers to chill quickly – divide into smaller quantities.
  • Use beef within 4 days. Reheat thoroughly to 165°F before serving again.
  • For longer storage, freeze beef in recipe-sized portions to pull out as needed.
  • Freeze flattened in zip top plastic bags to save space and thaw quickly later.

Tips to Save Time Cooking Ground Beef for a Crowd

Streamline the process of cooking pounds of ground beef with these additional time-saving tips:

  • Do as much prep ahead as possible – dice onions, mix seasonings, gather equipment.
  • Enlist help with prep, cooking, and clean-up.
  • Cook beef the day before and refrigerate overnight to finish recipes the next day.
  • Use a stand mixer with the paddle attachment to quickly break up partially cooked beef.
  • Purchase pre-made burger patties or meatballs to skip browning altogether.
  • Use a sous vide immersion circulator to safely cook large batches of vacuum sealed beef.

Common Mistakes

Avoid these common pitfalls when cooking a lot of ground beef:

  • Overcrowding the pan, steaming instead of browning the meat.
  • Under-seasoning and only seasoning the first batch, not all batches evenly.
  • Not breaking up meat thoroughly as it cooks, leading to clumps.
  • Letting raw and cooked meat touch surfaces without cleaning in between.
  • Not cooking beef fully to safe internal temperature.
  • Leaving beef sit out too long before refrigerating or freezing.

Conclusion

Cooking a large quantity of ground beef doesn’t have to be an all-day process. With the right techniques and equipment, pounds of beef can be quickly browned, seasoned, and ready to use in recipes or store for later. Divide into smaller batches, cook at high heat, break up thoroughly as it cooks, and follow food safety practices. In about an hour, you’ll have perfect crusty, flavorful beef ready for any dish that calls for hearty ground beef. With efficient prep and cooking, you can easily handle feeding a crowd with delicious beef!