Ground Beef

Ground beef’s got a lot going for it — it’s fast and easy to cook, versatile and enjoyed by all. Is it any wonder that ground beef is the #1 Canadian meal-maker! And there‘s more to ground beef’s benefits – plain and simple, ground beef’s good for you! Here’s all you need to know to make dinner – made easy with Canadian Ground Beef!

Get Ready

Forever flexible, ground beef can be pan-fried for meat sauces and casseroles or shaped into burgers, meatballs and more.

  1. COOK ground beef in non-stick skillet over medium-high heat for 8 to 10 minutes, breaking into small chunks with cooking. Cook thoroughly, until browned throughout.
  2. DRAIN.
  3. ADD to pasta sauce or soups or use in chili, casserole, taco and soup recipes, seasoning to taste.

Watch

Common Cuts

Extra lean ground beef
Maximum fat content 10% (90% lean)

Lean ground beef
Maximum fat content 17% (83% lean)

Medium ground beef
Maximum fat content 23% (77% lean)

Regular ground beef
Maximum fat content 30% (70% lean)

Myth Buster

MYTH:

Ground beef has colour added to it – that is why it is purple in the centre of the pack but bright red on the surface.

TRUTH:

Ground beef is 100% beef with no additives, fillers or colours. As beef is exposed to oxygen, it naturally develops a red hue – so the meat at the surface of a package is bright red. The meat at the centre will turn red too once it’s opened up to the air.

Tips for Ground Beef

Cook’s Notes:

  • All ground beef comes designated as Extra Lean, Lean, Medium or Regular, based on the maximum fat content. This designation is the same for all ground meats: beef, turkey, veal, chicken, pork and lamb.

Ground beef types

  • EXTRA LEAN (10% maximum fat) great for flavour-packed recipes that you don’t drain after cooking. Use in meat loaf or cabbage rolls.
  • LEAN (17% maximum fat) Canada’s No. 1 grind is a good all-purpose choice. Use in all kinds of ground beef recipes.
  • MEDIUM (23% maximum fat)
  • REGULAR (30% maximum fat) use for grilling, broiling and drain to reduce fat before adding to your recipe. Use Medium in burgers and meatballs, and Regular or Medium in pasta sauces and casseroles.
  • Have you tried “Steak Experience” Ground Beef? Look for the names Sirloin, Chuck and Round on packages of ground beef. These names indicate that the ground beef is made from a single cut, not a mix. Ground Sirloin tastes like Sirloin Steak for example – it’s ground beef gone gourmet.
  • Refrigerate ground beef within 1 to 2 hours of purchase.
  • Refrigerate at 40° F (4° C) or lower, on bottom shelf to avoid dripping on to other foods.
  • Thaw in the fridge, allowing 12 to 15 hours per pound, OR thaw in the microwave, cooking immediately after thawing.
  • Cook all ground beef thoroughly to 160° F (71° C). Test temperatures with a digital read thermometer. Never eat ground beef raw.

Big Batch Beef

The Question of Colour

Contrary to popular belief, the colour of beef is not a reliable indicator of freshness. In its initial state, beef is a deep purple colour. As it is exposed to oxygen in the air, the pigment turns cherry red. That same beef can turn purple again if oxygen is removed. The perfect example is vacuum-packaged beef.

With certain packaging types, that initial cherry red pigment will begin to take on a slightly brown hue quite quickly. The meat is still fresh and safe to eat, but just not as bright a red as when it was first exposed to oxygen. The Best Before date is still the best way to know if your fresh beef needs to be prepared and eaten right away or frozen.

Some ground beef can be brownish in the centre. This is because the small amount of oxygen present in the centre gives the meat pigment a brownish hue. However, the meat remains fresh and safe to eat up to its Best Before date.

Cuts used with Ground Beef

Ground Beef Options

regular-ground-beef-canadian-beef
EXTRA LEAN GROUND BEEF
Maximum fat content 10% (90% lean)

regular-ground-beef-canadian-beef
LEAN GROUND BEEF
Maximum fat content 17% (83% lean)

regular-ground-beef-canadian-beef
MEDIUM GROUND BEEF
Maximum fat content 23% (77% lean)

regular-ground-beef-canadian-beef
REGULAR GROUND BEEF
Maximum fat content 30% (70% lean)

Ground Beef recipes:

The All-Canadian Beef Sirloin Cheeseburger

This boast-able burger represents the taste of the nation: Canadian quality beef, smoked Canadian Cheddar, back bacon and seasonings reminiscent of tourtière – OH Canada!

Thai Beef Meatballs

To serve this recipe as elegant hors d'oeuvres, skewer each meatball with picks made from cleaned stalks of lemon grass. Serve on a platter with purchased Thai chili or sweet and sour sauce in a small bowl for dipping. Make Ahead Tip: Cooked meatballs can be frozen for up to 3 months and reheated in microwave to serve.

Spaghetti Beef Pie

Do the chopping and cook the beef and pasta in advance. That way the kids can take over the kitchen, making this recipe for Spaghetti & Beef Pie themselves by simply assembling and heating in the microwave. This recipe's a handy way to use up any leftover spaghetti.

Baked Scotch Eggs

These are big, meaty and delicious. Enjoy them as a meal with steamed veggies or a side salad. Don’t forget to serve with some pickles and dipping sauce.

Mexi-Mozza Beef Burger

This yummy Mozzarella cheeseburger recipe features lean Canadian beef spiced up with a salsa-and-chili combo that can’t be beat! Finish off the burgers with slices of Canadian Mozzarella or try Canadian Havarti, Gouda or Cheddar cheese instead. Top with warm Grilled Peppers for the ultimate homemade Mozza-burger. Note: You can also cook the burgers in a skillet over medium-high heat, 5 to 7 minutes per side.
Canadian-Beef-Beef-Mushroom-Thai-Lettuce-Cups

Korean Beef Lettuce Cups

This Asian-inspired ground beef recipe lets you entertain with style and within budget. It works for family meals too — easy to prepare and casual to eat.

Skillet Beef Gnocchi

It’s easy to turn store-bought potato gnocchi into pillows of goodness with this simple and speedy dish. And the bonus… this makes 4 portions and the welcome leftovers are delicious reheated for lunch another day!

Cheeseburger Roll Ups

No problem getting the family to the table when you make these super simple Cheeseburger Roll-ups. This is a perfect weeknight recipe.

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