Tacos, Spaghetti, Sloppy Joes, chili, casseroles, soups — the ground beef recipe list really never ends. Ground beef is easy, quick and a lot of times you don’t even need a recipe. But, I bet I can surprise you with some little known facts about ground beef.
Did you know that 85% ground beef has fewer than 200 calories per serving? AND, 95% lean ground beef has fewer than 140 calories per serving.
When I first started learning more about nutritional benefits of beef I was kind of surprised by that. Lean beef is pretty low in calories — even ground beef. It was a welcomed surprise.
What if I told you that there was a creative way to buy that 80% ground beef — which is often more available at the grocery store and less expensive — and make itLEANER?
You can justrinsethe fat off your ground beef to make it leaner.
WHAT? You read that right, and that was exactly my reaction. Keep reading.
Side Note #1:When it comes to choosing ground beef, you have a lot of options at the grocery store. There’s ground beef with 80/20 or 90/10 or any number of variations on the package. Let’s make it simple — the higher the percentage of lean beef means the lower fat content. For example, 95% lean ground beef has less total and saturated fat than 85% lean ground beef.
Side Note #2:There is also a price difference for leaner ground beef. 95% lean ground beef can cost about $1 more per pound than its 85% lean counterpart. For obvious reasons, ground beef that is 73 — 85% lean is less expensive than leaner options, but you don’t have to sacrifice your pocketbook to get lean, healthy ground beef! Woo Hoo!
There’s a simple and, in my opinion, quite profound way to reduce the fat content in ground beef by 50 percent!Just rinse the fat off.The other awesome thing — rinsing and draining ground beef washes away the fat without decreasing the vitamins and minerals or messing up the flavor.
Here are the steps:
- Brown ground beef in skillet over medium heat until beef is fully cooked.
- Using a slotted spoon, remove beef crumbles onto a plate lined with paper towels. Let sit one minute; blot top of beef with more paper towels.
- Place beef in a colander over a large bowl. Pour very hot water (not boiling) over beef to rinse fat. Drain for five minutes.
This easy tips will keep your ground beef extra lean, with fewer calories and awesome great taste! Healthy people eat beef!
FAQs
There's a simple and, in my opinion, quite profound way to reduce the fat content in ground beef by 50 percent! Just rinse the fat off. The other awesome thing — rinsing and draining ground beef washes away the fat without decreasing the vitamins and minerals or messing up the flavor.
How to make ground beef more lean? ›
To do this, I simply move the browned ground beef to one side of the skillet and gently tip the skillet so the fat collects on the other side. Then I soak it up the fat with a paper towel and throw it all in the trash when I'm done. Using folded paper towels is my preferred method of making ground beef leaner.
How do they make beef lean? ›
Today's Beef is Leaner than Ever
It starts with careful breeding and includes ongoing monitoring and improving the feed type and amounts. Providing cattle exercise by allowing them to graze in pastures helps enhance muscle and encourage leanness, as well.
Is 90/10 too lean for burgers? ›
It's labeled 90/10 and is a more expensive cut of beef than round or chuck. It has a full beefy flavor but is too lean for hamburgers. Chef Hunter adds, "90/10 is perfect for making spaghetti sauce, taco meat, and other concoctions when sauce and seasonings are in the mix.
Which is the best option for reduced fat in ground beef? ›
The meat from the loin primal is very lean, so it produces ground beef with the healthiest lean point. You will often hear ground sirloin called extra-lean ground beef. If you want to create a healthy menu and limit the saturated fat in your dishes, then ground sirloin is the best choice.
Does rinsing ground beef make it leaner? ›
Nutrition researchers found that a simple rinsing process reduced the fat content of cooked ground beef crumbles by as much as 50 percent. Blotting of cooked burgers, meatballs, and meatloaf also helps reduce the fat.
Can you add olive oil to lean ground beef? ›
Whether you choose a fattier ratio or a leaner blend, using a bit of oil will keep the ground beef from sticking to the pan. For leaner ratios, olive oil is an excellent choice to add richness and flavor, but vegetable oil works well, too, especially for higher-heat cooking.
Is 93/7 ground beef good for burgers? ›
A 70/30 blend is going to be 70% lean meat and 30% fat. That means 93/7 has almost no fat. Do not think for one minute you're going to get a juicy, mouthwatering burger with a 93/7 blend. It's too lean and with burgers, you need some fat.
How to add fat content to ground beef? ›
The workaround? Add the fat you seek directly to the meat. Butter is readily available, affordable, and adds moisture and fat to beef — making for a tender, juicy burger.
Is 80/20 ground beef good for burgers? ›
The best ground beef to buy for burgers is 80/20 ground chuck – 80% lean meat and 20% fat. Ground chuck is ground from the shoulder and has that ideal lean-to-fat ratio of 80/20 (i.e. not too lean) for a super flavorful, juicy burger. Ground round comes from the back of the cow, near the tail, upper leg, and rump.
Ground sirloin is the leanest type of ground beef, at a 90 percent lean meat to 10 percent fat ratio. This ratio can vary, so be sure to closely examine the packaging before purchase. One of the most delicious types of ground beef, ground sirloin is an excellent option for those looking for a healthier meat.
What are the top 5 leanest meats? ›
Here are the top 5 lean meats for weight loss and muscle gains.
- CHICKEN BREASTS. These are the easiest to get hold of and most familiar. ...
- RABBIT. This used to be a common sight on British dinner tables but is less popular today despite being one of the leanest meats around. ...
- VENISON. ...
- PHEASANT. ...
- OSTRICH.
It's Relatively Lean
As far as steaks go, this one is relatively lean, offering just six grams of total fat and less than three grams of saturated fat in a 3-ounce serving.
Is 93% lean ground beef good for burgers? ›
A 70/30 blend is going to be 70% lean meat and 30% fat. That means 93/7 has almost no fat. Do not think for one minute you're going to get a juicy, mouthwatering burger with a 93/7 blend. It's too lean and with burgers, you need some fat.
How do you render fat from ground beef? ›
Place the fat into your pan, then add enough water to cover the bottom of the pan by about half an inch. Place the pan over a medium flame, until the water starts to boil, then turn heat down to low. Cook gently for 1-2 hours, stirring every so often until most of the fat has rendered.
Does lean ground beef make a difference? ›
a. Ground beef less than 80%-lean is good for dishes in which you drain the fat from the cooked beef, such as Sloppy Joes, chili and spaghetti sauce. b. Ground beef 80-85% lean is good for meat loaf / meatballs / beef patties as they hold their shape better when a moderate level of leanness is used.
How do you bind lean ground beef? ›
In my experience, the best way to prevent your burger patties from falling apart during cooking is to use both egg and breadcrumbs to make them. You can add eggs to the mixture and then, coat them with breadcrumbs before shaping them into burger patties.
