Marinating is a way of giving your meat that extra punch or flavor, and it is pretty easy and quick to do. While meat like chicken and steak is the conventional food to marinade, can you still marinade ground beef?
Yes, you can marinade ground beef, not only will it enhance the flavor, but with the right blend, it also enhances the texture. If done properly, it also reduces the amount of fat in the beef.
If you want to know how to marinade your ground beef, what ingredients to use, and the pros and cons of marinating, then read on.
What is marinating?
Marinating is a technique or process of soaking beef, poultry, and even fish in spiced and flavored liquid for a while.
The most common type of marinade is spiced liquid, oil, or even a mixture of other liquids like vinegar and soy sauce.
What is ground beef?
Ground beef or minced beef is meat that has been finely chopped with a meat grinder. It is used for various dishes such as hamburgers, meatloaf, Bolognese sauce, and meatballs.
There are speculations about the kind or part of meat used for ground beef. However, according to the US Department of Agriculture, heart and other organ meat are not used for ground beef.
Can you marinate ground beef?
Yes, you can. Marinating your ground beef is a way of boosting its taste while also enhancing its tenderness.
Although, you should be careful not to marinade for too long as it might make the ground beef soggy.
What are the pros of marinating ground beef?
1. Adds flavor
Marinating is a simple and easy way to bring more flavor to your ground beef.
2. Make the beef juicier and more tender
Marinating helps break down some of the tough fibers and tissues in the beef. As a result of that, the ground beef comes out more tender and juicy.
3. Reduces the amount of fat in the ground beef
For those on a diet or those that worry about the amount of fat they take, marinating is the best choice. It is a way to make your beef leaner while also requiring less fatty ingredients to cook it.
Are there any cons to marinating ground beef?
There are only a few known disadvantages of marinating ground beef. They include:
1. Hide the flavor of the beef
Marinating ground beef hides the flavor of the beef, especially when vinegar and fruit juice is used.
2. Makes the beef soggy
When ground beef is marinated for too long, it makes it soggy, mushy, or watery.
So, how can you marinate your ground beef?
Marinating is a very fast and easy thing to do, but the right blend of spices is required, or it may contradict the taste. However, I will walk you through the best way and blend to marinate your ground beef.
Below are the ingredients needed for a one-pound serving of ground beef:
- Worcestershire sauce (half cup)
- Two teaspoons of red wine vinegar
- Two teaspoons of brown sugar
- One teaspoon of vegetable or olive oil
- Three cloves of minced garlic
- One teaspoon of black pepper
- Half a teaspoon of salt
Step 1: Mix the seasoning
Pour the Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, black pepper, and salt into a bowl. Then stir them all together, it should take the form of a thick mixture.
Step 2: Add the red wine vinegar
Pour the red wine vinegar into the mixture and stir till they mix evenly.
Step 3: Add the ground beef to the marinade
Add the ground or minced meat into the marinade mixture and give it a little stir.
Step 4: Allow to marinade for 1 – 2 hours
Allow the minced meat to sit in the marinade for 1 – 2 hours in the fridge. You can also use a zip lock bag for this step; simply pour the marinade and the minced meat into a zip lock bag and place it in the fridge.
Step 5: Brush the pan with oil
While the beef marinates, brush your pan with oil, you can use vegetable, olive, or avocado oil. This step ensures that the ground beef does not stick to the pan.
Step 6: Preheat the oven
Preheat the oven to a temperature of 350°F.
Step 7: Place the ground beef on the pan and bake
Move the marinated beef into the oiled pan and place it in the oven to bake. The US Department of Agriculture recommends that all ground or minced meat be cooked to a temperature of 165°F.
It should take around 40 – 45 minutes to achieve this temperature. By this point, the ground meat should be evenly brown.
Common mistakes people make when marinating ground beef
There are some mistakes people make when marinating ground beef that alters its taste. Some of these mistakes are;
1. Marinating for too long
Ground beef should not be marinated for too long, this is because it causes the muscles to break down too much.
This affects the taste and look of the beef, causing it to be mushy, soggy, or watery. For the best result, marinate for only an hour or two.
2. Using the wrong type of marinade
Using the wrong marinade or blend is another mistake made that alters the taste of the minced beef. Although there are marinades that feature yogurt, vinegar, or lemon juice, they aren’t the best choice for ground beef.
The best marinade blend for ground beef is red wine vinegar mixed with brown sugar, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, and salt.
3. Over-cooking ground beef
Ground beef should be cooked to 165°F, anything higher than that may alter its taste.
FAQ
How long should you marinate ground beef in the fridge?
You can marinate ground beef in the fridge for one or two hours. Any longer than that, the acidity starts to break down the proteins, making them soft or chewy.
Is it safe to marinate ground beef overnight?
No, it is not. The US Department of Agriculture states that it is not safe to marinate your ground beef overnight. It would be best to use steak if you want to marinate overnight.
Can you use a metal bowl to marinate meat?
No, you shouldn’t. Metal bowls may react with the acid in the marinade. The best containers for marinating are glass, ceramic, or plastic.
Can you reuse marinade?
No, you can’t. The US Department of Agriculture states that it is not safe to reuse marinade liquid. It would be best to throw out the used marinade and make another.
Is it safe to marinate ground beef at room temperature?
No, it is not safe. Marinating at room temperature allows the meat to grow bacteria or other contaminants.
Conclusion
Yes, you can. Marinating is a way of amplifying the taste and texture of your ground beef. However, using the right marinade liquid and timing is essential to get the best taste out of it.
You can use the recipe mentioned in this article to achieve the best marinade for your ground beef.
Learn how to store raw ground beef properly to prevent contamination.
Thank you for reading this article.
