Plain Ground Beef (Batch Base)
Unseasoned cooked ground beef for maximum versatility. Use as-is in boxed meal mixes, or season for tacos, chili, casseroles, and more. One 5lb batch yields four 1lb portions.
Equipment
- Cast iron skillet
- Dutch Oven
- Wooden spoon
- Fine-Mesh Strainer
- Vacuum Seal Bags
- Containers
Ingredients
Ground Beef
- 5 lb Ground Beef 80/20
- 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt Morton brand, optional
- 1 cup Water
Instructions
- Heat a large cast iron skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Add the entire 5 lb of ground beef.
- Break the meat apart with a wooden spoon as it cooks until no pink remains, about 15-18 minutes.
- Sprinkle with salt if using and stir.
- Add water to deglaze the pan.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer until most water has evaporated, about 5-7 minutes.
- Drain the rendered fat through a strainer and save for cooking.
Notes
This unseasoned base is intentionally plain so you can use it in any recipe. Perfect for boxed meal mixes like Zatarain's Dirty Rice that call for 1lb cooked ground beef. Store rendered beef fat in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
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