Yes, pre-cooked ground beef is readily available from a variety of sources. Pre-cooking ground beef can save time and make meal preparation easier. There are a few different types of pre-cooked ground beef to consider:
Fully Cooked Ground Beef
Fully cooked ground beef has been cooked all the way through to an internal temperature of 160°F. This ensures any bacteria has been killed and makes the ground beef safe to eat without further cooking. Fully cooked ground beef has a browned exterior and inner texture similar to cooked hamburger. It is ready to heat and eat or can be used cold in recipes.
Partially Cooked Ground Beef
Partially cooked ground beef is cooked to an internal temperature of 155°F before rapid cooling. This kills some bacteria but not all, so it still requires further cooking before eating. Partially cooked ground beef will have a lightly browned exterior but a raw pink interior when thawed. It cuts cooking time in half since you only need to finish cooking it to 160°F.
Pre-Browned Ground Beef
Pre-browned ground beef is raw ground beef that has been browned on the exterior only. It has a cooked appearance but the interior is completely raw. Pre-browned ground beef needs to be fully cooked just like raw ground beef. The advantage is you skip the step of browning it yourself.
Where to Buy Pre-Cooked Ground Beef
There are several options for purchasing pre-cooked ground beef:
Grocery Stores
Many grocery store meat departments offer pre-cooked ground beef. It is often sold fresh in the refrigerated meat case, fully cooked and ready to eat or heat up. Major grocery store chains like Kroger, Publix, Safeway, Harris Teeter, and Wegmans carry pre-cooked ground beef selections at locations with full service meat departments.
Butcher Shops and Meat Markets
Local butcher shops and specialty meat markets are another good source for finding pre-cooked ground beef. Their meat counter may have fresh fully cooked ground beef for sale. High end butchers often use premium beef cuts to make their ground beef resulting in exceptional flavor.
Online Retailers
Online retailers offer the convenience of pre-cooked ground beef delivered direct. Amazon Fresh has various fully cooked ground beef products that are flash frozen to maintain freshness. Other online grocers like Thrive Market and Fresh Direct also carry fully cooked ground beef options. There are many specialty online meat purveyors as well.
Commercial Foodservice Distributors
Restaurants, cafeterias and other commercial kitchens can order large quantities of pre-cooked ground beef through foodservice distributors. Major broadline distributors like US Foods, Sysco and Gordon Food Service supply partially cooked and fully cooked ground beef products in bulk sized packs.
How to Use Pre-Cooked Ground Beef
Pre-cooked ground beef is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes:
Tacos, Burritos and Nachos
Fully cooked ground beef makes an easy topping for tacos, burritos, nachos, and more Tex-Mex dishes. Just heat it through and add taco seasoning for an instant protein filling.
Pasta Sauce
Cook pasta as desired, then gently reheat fully cooked ground beef and add to your favorite jarred pasta sauce for a quick Bolognese or meat sauce.
Chili
Make beef chili in record time with pre-cooked ground beef. Sauté onions and spices, add cooked ground beef and canned beans, tomatoes, and stock. Season to taste.
Casseroles and Skillet Meals
Fully cooked ground beef is great in any one-skillet dinner or casserole like sloppy Joes, cottage pie, or cheesy enchilada bake. Mix with veggies and sauce and bake.
Soups and Stews
Add protein to soup and stew recipes by browning vegetables and simmering with canned or homemade broth and fully cooked ground beef. Works great in minestrone, beef barley or vegetable beef soups.
Salads
Top fresh greens, grains and veggies with chilled fully cooked ground beef. Toss with vinaigrette or creamy dressing for satisfying main dish salads.
Quesadillas and Flatbreads
Partially cooked or fully cooked ground beef makes an easy topping for quesadillas, flatbreads and pizza. Sprinkle with cheese and broil open-faced or grill between tortillas.
Benefits of Pre-Cooked Ground Beef
Pre-cooking offers several benefits over using raw ground beef:
Food Safety
Fully cooked ground beef has been heat treated to kill any pathogens present. This makes it safe to eat as is without further cooking. Good for use in no-cook items like sandwiches and salads.
Saves Time
Skip lengthy stovetop browning and cooking. Fully cooked ground beef just needs reheating. Partially cooked browns faster from refrigerated state. Great time saver for busy weeknight meals.
Convenience
Pre-cooked ground beef means opening a package and reheating, no prep needed. Easy way to quickly add protein and flavor to meals and sides dishes.
Shelf Life
Commercially pre-cooked ground beef often includes preservatives allowing for longer shelf life. Keeps fresh several days in the refrigerator or months in the freezer.
Consistency
Pre-cooked ground beef offers reliable doneness compared to inconsistent home cook times. Results in properly done ground beef every time.
Reduced Fat
Pre-cooking and draining removes excess fat from ground beef. Pre-cooked 90/10 ground beef has less fat than raw 80/20.
Nutrition Information
The nutrition facts for pre-cooked ground beef vary slightly by fat ratio and added ingredients but will be similar to raw ground beef. Here is the nutrition breakdown for a standard 4 ounce serving:
| Calories | Fat | Protein | Carbs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 285 | 23g | 17g | 0g |
Pre-cooked lean ground beef with a 90/10 fat ratio will have fewer calories and less fat compared to regular 80/20 raw ground beef. Check labels for exact nutritional values.
Price Comparison
Pre-cooked ground beef typically costs slightly more than raw. Here are average prices for one pound:
| Ground Beef Type | Price Per Pound |
|---|---|
| Raw 80/20 | $3.99 |
| Raw 90/10 | $4.99 |
| Pre-Cooked 80/20 | $4.99 |
| Pre-Cooked 90/10 | $5.99 |
The convenience factor helps offset the marginally higher price. Pre-cooked ground beef on sale can offer good value for time savings.
Conclusion
Pre-cooked ground beef provides a quick, convenient way to incorporate cooked ground beef flavor into recipes. Fully cooked ground beef is safe to eat immediately and saves cooking time. Partially cooked browns faster from refrigerated state. Look for pre-cooked ground beef options at grocery stores, butchers, online, or foodservice outlets. The benefits of speed, safety and reliability make pre-cooked ground beef worth the slight extra cost over raw. Keep pre-cooked ground beef on hand for easy weeknight meals.