Getting rid of excess fat in ground beef is a key step before adding it to various dishes like tacos. There are two main methods that can help you with this: on the stovetop or in the microwave. Let's take a look at how to brown ground beef in each of these cases.
Browning Ground Beef on the Stovetop
Step 1. Add a little oil to the pan.
First, pour a bit of vegetable oil into the pan and turn the stove to medium heat. Then, carefully use a spatula to start breaking the meat into small pieces.
- Make sure the pan is large enough to hold all the meat so you can stir it freely.
Step 2. Add water to the pan with the meat.
Pour 1/4 cup of water into the pan for every half kilogram of beef. This will help during the browning process.
Step 3. Continue breaking up the meat in the pan.
Don't forget to keep breaking the meat apart in the pan, turning the pieces over.
- Ground beef breaks apart easily. Stir it regularly while browning to prevent burning.
Step 4. Cook until fully browned.
Step 5. Drain excess liquid.
- Use a colander to drain off excess water and fat. Carefully hold the meat in place with a spatula to prevent it from falling out.
- Transfer the beef to a paper towel and blot it to remove excess oil and moisture.
Browning Ground Beef in the Microwave
Step 1. Evenly spread the meat in a microwave-safe dish.
Place the ground beef in a microwave-safe dish, trying to spread it evenly. Pour in 1 cup (250 ml) of water and put it in the microwave.
Step 2. Cover the dish with a lid or microwave-safe wrap.
Step 3. Cook on medium power for 2 minutes.
Cook the beef for 2 minutes on medium power. After this, check the meat and break it into smaller pieces. Repeat this process until the beef is fully cooked and no pink remains.
Step 4. Drain the fat from the beef using a colander.
Use a colander to drain off the fat, and gently blot it with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.
