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.

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.
DRAIN.
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

Common Cuts | 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:

Harvest Meat Loaf

Whole wheat couscous, extra lean ground beef and tons of healthy veggies makes this meatloaf a complete and satisfying meal! If making it with baby in mind, brush the Glaze topping on just part of the meat loaf and skip the Worcestershire sauce – serve with a splash of Worcestershire and some chutney or red pepper jelly on the side to season for adults.

Mediterranean Beef and Pasta Bake

Not your typical Mac’ n’ Beef or Shipwreck Casserole, this recipe for Mediterranean Beef & Pasta Bake makes hearty and healthy go hand-in-hand. If pressed for time, skip the baking and use as a stove-top dish.

Herb Beef Patties and Veggie Sheet Pan Dinner Pitas

Have your meat and veggies cook together in this easy sheet-pan dinner. For an added kick of flavour be sure to drizzle on some sriracha mayo before eating!

Traditional Italian Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

A restaurant favourite known as “Polpette al Sugo”, tender, flavourful meatballs are simmered in a simple tomato sauce to enjoy with toasted garlic bread. Chef Ponzo prefers to use medium ground beef for these meatballs but lean works well, too. This recipe was adapted from Chef Ponzo’s original and modified, as necessary, for home cooks.

One Pot Cheesy Broccoli Ground Beef and Rice

One pot meals are perfect for a busy night and an easy clean up ! Impress your family with the delicious all-in-one meal, healthy and tasty, using ingredients you have right in your pantry and freezer. Make meals faster then take-out with Big Batch Beef and 20-minute rice.

Beef Asian Bowls with Oven Roasted Veg

This dish has an intense flavour. It’s not very saucy, but still juicy and really delicious! Add this simple and quick dish to your weeknight meal plan rotation.

Heart-Shape Mini Meatloaves

Emily has been making these meatloaves since her kids were little. The kids would recognize Valentine’s Day as Love Day, and this was the perfect way to shape one of their favorite dishes into hearts. If you have a heart-shaped cookie cutter, be sure to cut out hearts from potatoes and roast them to serve alongside.

Sizzling Swiss Beef Burger

These lean Canadian beef burgers really sizzle: spiked with smoky bacon, chunks of Canadian Swiss and punchy horseradish. Try them either on the grill or cooked in the oven. Other cheese options to try: Canadian Mozzarella, medium Cheddar, Provolone or Gouda.