• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Walking On Sunshine Recipes

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Shop
  • Recipes
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • SHOP
  • Air Fryer Recipes
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Cooking Tips

    How to Freeze, Defrost and Brown Ground Beef

    Published: Apr 20, 2020 · Modified: Mar 26, 2022 by Lois · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Sharing is caring!

    47 shares
    • Share
    • Tweet

    How to freeze ground beef along with tips for browning and defrosting to help you prepare delicious recipes for your family's Weekly Meal Plan.

    Some of our favorite family meals start with ground beef. But do you know how to properly freeze, defrost and brown the ground beef? Here are all my tips that I've used over the years to prepare dinner for my family.

    How to freeze ground beef along with tips for browning and defrosting.

    What is your favorite recipe to make with ground beef?

    For most of us, especially this time of year, hamburgers on the grill is a favorite recipe to make with ground beef.  But do you know how to store ground beef properly?

    Today I want to share with you tips not only on how to freeze ground beef, but also tips for defrosting and browning ground beef to use in all the delicious recipes your family loves.

    Helpful Kitchen Tools

    This post contains affiliate links. That means that if you make a purchase after clicking on a link I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, click here.

    Cuisinart CSBP-100 3-in-1 Stuffed Burger PressMore InformationInstant Read Meat ThermometerMore InformationOur Grillaholics Stuffed Burger Press Recipe Book: 99 Amazing Recipes for Your Grilling BBQ Hamburger Patty Maker (Discover & Taste New Enormous, Mouth ... Packed, Stuffed Burgers Every Time! Book 1)More InformationBurger Press - PREFECTLY FORMED HAMBURGER MAKER - Includes 200 Non Stick Patty Papers For Making Quarter Lb or Large ⅓ Pound Stuffed Pocket Burgers - Best Aluminum Presser BBQ Gift Idea - Cave ToolsMore InformationUltraSource 192033 Hamburger Patty Paper, 5.5More InformationThermoPro TP-16 Large LCD Digital Cooking Food Meat Thermometer for Smoker Oven Kitchen BBQ Grill Thermometer Clock Timer with Stainless Steel Temperature ProbeMore InformationGEEKHOM Grilling Gloves, Heat Resistant Gloves BBQ Kitchen Silicone Oven Mitts, Long Waterproof Non-slip Potholder for Barbecue, Cooking, Baking (Black)More InformationMens The Grillfather Funny BBQ Dad BBQ Grill Dad Grilling T Shirt 2XL OliveMore InformationThe Grillfather Funny BBQ Dad BBQ Grill Dad Grilling T ShirtMore Information

     

    Raw Ground Beef in package with vine tomatoes on cutting board

    How to Freeze Ground Beef

    • Don't freeze ground beef in the original packaging. 
    • Remove ground beef from the store packaging and rewrap using plastic wrap or freezer wrap.
    • Then place the wrapped ground beef in a freezer safe plastic bag to protect the meat from freezer burn.
    • Don't forget to write the date on the freezer bag!  
    • Frozen ground beef should be used three to four months from the date of purchase.

    How to Defrost Ground Beef

    • Don't use a microwave - a microwave will cook the outside of the meat and make it tough before it's completely thawed.
    • Ideally, you should place the frozen wrapped ground beef on a tray and let it defrost in the refrigerator.  
    • Your meat should be defrosted and ready to cook in 24 hours.

    What if you forget to take the meat out of the freezer the day before and you want to prepare it for dinner tonight?  

    Follow these simple steps for defrosting meat quickly to be able to use for dinner tonight: 

    • Take the frozen meat, still in its sealed plastic bag, and place it in a bowl in the sink.
    • Fill the bowl with COLD water.  
    • Set your kitchen timer for 30 minutes and drain the bowl and refill it with fresh cold water.  
    • Continue to do this until the meat is defrosted and ready to use for your recipe. Never, ever use hot water! Hot water can cause the outer layer of the food to heat up to temperature where harmful bacteria can grow.

    How to Brown Ground Beef

    • Begin by heating a large skillet or frying pan - adding ground beef to a cold pan will cause the meat to stick to the bottom of the pan.
    • Coat the bottom of the pan with a non-stick cooking spray or you can use cooking oil to keep the beef from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
    • Using a spatula or wooden spoon, begin breaking the beef into several large pieces and then break into smaller pieces.
    • Continue to break the meat into smaller pieces, seasoning with salt and pepper, until all the meat is completely browned.
    Browned Ground Beef in Cast Iron Skillet with wooden spoon

    How to Drain Ground Beef

    • Ground beef releases water when you cook it, so don't forget to drain the beef after it is browned completely.  
    • Place the ground beef in a colander and allow the excess water and fat to drain.

    The ground beef is now ready to be added to any one of these yummy recipes:

    Ground Beef Recipes

    Family Favorite Ground Beef Recipes

    Cheesy Chili Pasta Casserole

    Crock Pot Chili - Easy and Delicious!

    Hamburgers with Homemade Mushroom Gravy

    French Bread Pizza with Homemade Meat Sauce

    Slow Cooker Tomato Sauce with Meatballs

    This recipe has been updated since it first appeared in 2016 with new photos and new cooking tips. I hope you enjoy the updates as much as I enjoyed working on them! 

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Recipes

    • Meal Plans
    • Thanksgiving Recipes
    • Reindeer Desserts
    • Christmas Cookies
    • Cinnamon Rolls

    Connect

    • Facebook
    • Amazon
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer and Disclosure
    • Contact
    • E-Cookbooks
    • Printables, Planners, Gift Tags
    • Amazon Store

    Walking on Sunshine Creative Services, LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com

    Copyright © 2022 Walking On Sunshine Recipes