When cooking ground beef, it’s common for some grease or fat to render out into the pan. This released grease can seem problematic, especially if you’re trying to cook a leaner meal. So what should you do with all that extra grease? Here are some tips for handling and disposing of grease when cooking ground beef.
Strain the Grease
One of the easiest ways to get rid of some of the grease is to drain it out of the pan before serving. After browning the ground beef, use a spoon to carefully remove any rendered fat floating on top of the meat. You can also pour the browned beef into a colander or strainer set over a bowl. This will separate much of the grease from the meat.
Be sure to pour slowly and carefully so the liquid fat drains through while the meat stays behind in the colander. Wipe out the pan with paper towels before returning the strained ground beef to the pan to finish cooking.
Blot with Paper Towels
Paper towels can also help soak up some of the grease rendered from ground beef as it cooks. After removing the meat from the heat, place several paper towels directly on top of the meat in the pan. Let them sit for about a minute to absorb the layer of fat.
You can also use paper towels to dab any pools of grease from the cooked meat before serving. Just be careful, as paper towels will quickly soak through with hot grease. Have several layers handy to absorb all the fat.
Chill and Skim the Fat
For dishes like chili or spaghetti sauce with ground beef, you can make the grease solidify for easier removal. After cooking the meat and vegetables, transfer the pot or pan to the refrigerator and let it chill overnight. The fat will rise to the top and harden.
You can then simply lift off and discard the solid layer of hardened grease. Use a spoon to skim off any remaining spots of fat from the top of the chilled dish. Reheat the chili or sauce after removing the solidified fat.
Add Potatoes
Potatoes can work like little grease magnets in dishes containing ground beef. Cook sliced or cubed potatoes right in with soups, stews, or chilis made with ground beef. The potatoes will soak up some of the fat rendered from the meat as everything simmers together.
You can then scoop out and discard the potato pieces before serving. Just be sure to remove them once they’ve absorbed as much grease as possible but before the potatoes get overcooked and mushy.
Mix in Rice
Uncooked rice can also help soak up excess grease when added to ground beef dishes. Stir in a few tablespoons of dry rice during the last 5-10 minutes of cooking time. The rice will help absorb some of the fat.
Allow the dish to sit for 5 minutes before serving to let the rice continue soaking up grease. The rice will plump up as it cooks and absorb more fat. Scoop out and discard the rice before eating if you don’t want to consume it.
Drain and Rinse
For loose ground beef mixtures like chili or sloppy joe filling, you can drain the meat and give it a good rinse. Cook the ground beef with the spices and vegetables as directed in the recipe. Then transfer the mixture to a colander to drain off the fat.
Give the meat a quick rinse under hot water to wash away any remaining grease on the surface. Drain well before returning it to the pot to finish cooking the dish. Be sure to scrape any grease out of the pan as well before adding the rinsed meat back.
Blot with Bread
Bread can also work like a sponge to soak up grease from cooked ground beef. Simply tear bread into pieces and mix them right into the hot ground beef. Allow to sit for 2-3 minutes so the bread can absorb the fat.
You can then remove and discard the grease-laden bread pieces. Tear up and add more fresh bread as needed to continue soaking up more fat. Just be sure to remove the bread before serving the dish.
Use a Gravy Separator
A gravy separator offers an easy way to pour off excess grease from ground beef mixtures. This handy kitchen tool looks like a measuring cup with a spout connected to the bottom rather than the top.
After cooking ground beef, pour the mixture into the gravy separator. Let it sit for 5 minutes so the fat rises to the top. Then slowly pour out the meat from the bottom, leaving the grease layer behind in the separator.
Absorb with a Paper Bag
For greasy cooked ground beef you want to save for later, you can store it in a paper bag to absorb the fat. Place the cooked meat in a clean brown paper bag or wrap loosely in paper towels. Fold over the top of the bag.
The paper will wick fat away from the meat as it cools. After about an hour, unwrap and discard the grease-soaked paper. Transfer the meat to an airtight container to finish cooling before refrigerating.
Freeze for Use
Rather than simply throw away all that excess grease, consider saving it for future cooking uses. Pour the hot grease into a heat-safe container through a strainer lined with cheesecloth to catch any meat bits.
Allow the strained grease to cool to room temperature. Then cover and transfer to the refrigerator. The fat will harden into a solid layer on top that you can scrape off and reuse for things like cooking eggs, sautéing vegetables, or making gravy.
For longer storage, grease can be frozen for up to 3 months. Scoop the hardened fat into a freezer-safe container or freezer bag. Thaw in the refrigerator before using.
Dispose of Safely
Once you’ve removed as much grease as possible from cooked ground beef, you’ll need to properly dispose of the remaining fat to avoid clogged drains. Never pour hot grease directly down the sink.
First, let the grease cool until it becomes more solid. Mix in some salt, flour, or coffee grounds to help solidify it even more. Then scrape the fat into a sealed container or bag before throwing it in the trash.
Wiping out greasy pans with paper towels and discarding them is another safe way to ensure excess fat doesn’t end up lingering in your plumbing and causing clogs down the line.
Use Leaner Meat
Choosing leaner cuts of ground beef is one way to avoid excessive grease rendering out as you cook. Look for packages labeled at least 90% lean. This indicates the meat contains no more than 10% fat content.
You can also ask your butcher to grind a leaner cut of beef for you, like top round or sirloin tip. Be sure to cook lean ground beef thoroughly since it can dry out more quickly.
Add Broth or Water
Adding some broth or water to the pan while cooking ground beef can help thin out some of the fat rendered from the meat. Pour in just enough liquid to keep the meat moist without creating a soup-like mixture.
Cook until most of the liquid evaporates so you’re left with juicy, cooked ground beef that didn’t fry up in all its own grease. You’ll need to drain off or absorb any remaining fat after cooking.
Cook with a Splatter Screen
A splatter screen is a handy kitchen tool that fits over pans when cooking meats like ground beef. The fine mesh catches bubbling grease so it doesn’t splatter all over your stovetop.
When the cooking is done, carefully remove the grease-coated splatter screen and scrape any trapped fat into the trash. Then wipe the pan clean before reheating or serving the cooked ground beef.
Use a Slow Cooker
Slowly cooking ground beef gives time for much of the fat to render out and collect in the bottom of the slow cooker. Choose a recipe that calls for browning the meat before adding to the slow cooker.
After cooking, use a spoon to skim any layer of hardened fat from the surface. Place the cooked meat in a strainer over a bowl to drain away any remaining grease before serving.
Conclusion
Dealing with excess grease is an inevitable part of cooking ground beef. But with the right techniques, from draining to skimming to absorbing, you can cut back on the amount of fat that ends up on your plate. Choosing healthy cooking methods can ensure grease won’t stand in the way of enjoying flavorful and lean dishes made with ground beef.