Can you cook frozen ground beef? Absolutely. Read this article to learn how to cook frozen beef; it’s easier and faster than you might think.
A block of frozen ground beef can save dinner time on busy days. Ground beef is delicious and versatile, and it cooks super-fast even when it’s frozen. And if you would like to know more about cooking frozen food, check out How to Cook Frozen Sausages or Frozen Chicken Breast in the Air Fryer.
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Tips for freezing ground beef
Best one: Freeze it in reasonable portions. About 1 pound of beef (450-500 g) is the right amount for many recipes. So, I often leave it in the original packaging.
The raw beef will freeze in a block, so once frozen, you will not be able to remove just some of it from the pack; you will have to use it all at once.
You should NEVER freeze defrosted food again.
Freeze the meat in good freezer bags or containers to avoid freezer burn.
Recipe ingredients
- Ground beef: about 1 lb/ 450-500 g. However, you can cook as much as you need for a recipe.
- Vegetables and spices. You could also try our Homemade Ground Beef Seasoning.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Recipe steps
- Step #1: Place the frozen block of ground beef in the saucepan. Add about ¼ cup of water, cover the pan, and cook the meat on low heat for 2-3 minutes.
- Step #2: Flip the block.
- Step #3: Scrape off the cooked outside of the block (the meat that has already changed color and is now brownish-grey). If necessary, add very little water again.
- Step #4: Continue cooking the meat for 2-3 minutes, scrape again, flip and scrape the other side. By now, you should be able to break the block into smaller pieces using a wooden spoon.
- Step #5: Add vegetables, stir, increase the temperature to medium-high, and cook without the lid. Add all the spices and stir well, trying to break all the lumps with the wooden spoon.
- Step #6: Cook for another 7 to 10 minutes, or until the meat is cooked through, there are no more red or frozen pieces, and the vegetables are soft. The cooking time depends on the thickness of the frozen block.
Learn how to cook Frozen Beef in the Instant Pot as well.
Recipe FAQs
Yes. Pork or a mixture of beef and pork, ground turkey, or ground chicken. Cook them as instructed, making sure the meat is cooked through before serving.
Refrigerate in an airtight container for 2-3 days.
Reheat well before serving. Place the leftover cooked meat in a small saucepan and add a splash of water. Reheat gently, often stirring, until piping hot.
What to serve with ground beef?
- Cooked ground beef is versatile. You can make lots of delicious meals with it and serve it with almost anything.
- Spice the meat with taco seasoning and use it to fill tacos, tortillas, enchiladas, or tostadas.
Do you like this recipe?
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How to Cook Frozen Ground Beef
Equipment
- Large saucepan with a lid.
Ingredients
- 1 lb frozen ground beef 450-500 g, Notes 1,2
- ¼ cup water
- 1 red bell pepper Note 3
- 1 medium onion
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 teaspoon coriander Note 4
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon chili
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt or Kosher
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Place the block of beef in the saucepan. Add about ¼ cup water, cover the pan and cook the meat on low heat for 2-3 minutes.1 lb frozen ground beef / 450 g + ¼ cup water/ 60 ml
- Flip the block and scrape cooked meat off (the meat that has already changed color and is now brownish-grey). If necessary, add a tiny splash of water again.
- Continue cooking the meat for 2-3 minutes with the lid on, scrape again, flip and scrape the other side as well.
- Break block: By now, you should be able to break the block into smaller pieces using a wooden spoon.
- Vegetables: While the meat cooks, dice pepper, chop onion and garlic finely.1 red bell pepper + 1 medium onion + 2 garlic cloves
- Add them to the pan, stir well and cook on medium heat without the lid.
- Add all the spices and stir well, trying to break all the lumps with the wooden spoon.1 teaspoon coriander + 1 teaspoon cumin + 1 teaspoon sweet paprika + ½ teaspoon smoked paprika + 1 teaspoon oregano + ½ teaspoon chili + ½ teaspoon fine sea salt or Kosher + ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Cook for another 7 to 10 minutes or until the meat is cooked through, there should be no red/pink or frozen pieces anymore, and the vegetables should be soft (Note 5).
- Adjust the seasoning.
Notes
- Amount: You can cook more meat than that; adjust the cooking time accordingly.
- Other types of ground meat: This method can be used to cook ground pork, a mixture of beef and pork, turkey, or chicken. Cook them as instructed, making sure the meat is cooked through before serving
- The vegetables are optional: If you cook frozen beef to use in other recipes, you can leave out the vegetables or use other vegetables instead.
- The spices are optional: If you need the meat for another recipe, use other spices as required.
- Doneness: The meat should be very hot and brown all over, with no pink or red spots. The internal temperature should be 160°F/ 72°C. Still, I find it difficult to check that with a digital meat thermometer, as there is no whole piece of meat to stick the thermometer into. If you follow the time instructions, the meat should be cooked through, but make sure to check by looking at it thoroughly and stirring well to check all over.
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