Should You Eat Raw Beef That Was Cooked in a Microwave
A microwave can be used to cook, reheat, boil and even make your popcorn. But have you wondered if you can cook ground beef in your microwave?, and if you can, how to cook ground beef in the microwave?
You can cook ground beef in your microwave by putting it in a microwave safe bowl and rotating the microwave heat or power level from medium to high. Medium heat will usually allow your ground beef to properly cook from the center, while not overcooking or burning the exterior. High heat will cook it from the outside and make it well done.
In this article, we will discuss more about the different methods of cooking ground beef in the microwave and guidelines to follow when cooking ground beef in the microwave.
How to Cook Ground Beef in the Microwave?
In order to cook ground beef in microwave, you have to understand the power levels of your microwave,
Take out the ground beef from the packet or packaging and put in a sieve.
Put the sieve inside a slightly bigger microwave bowl and place it in your microwave oven
Cook using medium heat for about 5 minutes. Take a fork and stir. Cook it for another 5 minutes. Continue this process until all the fat is drained out.
When you are satisfied that it is cooked, you can turn up the heat to max and cook for another 3-5 mins to make it well done.
Make certain that when you place the ground beef in your microwave, it is spread out evenly over the pan. Avoid larger chunks otherwise you will notice uneven cooking from the inside.
Take out the ground beef from the colander and allow to cool.
Add it to your food as necessary. You can also put in a Ziploc bag and store in your freezer (after it cools down).
Understanding Microwave Power Level / Heat
You can select the right power level for your cooking need. It determines how much microwave energy it produces.
Microwave heat is not controlled in the same manner as a regular oven.
With microwaves, you have to select different power levels. Most digital ovens come with 10 power levels with each level corresponding to 10% of the total output power.
A medium heat is about 6-8 power level. At this power level, the surface of the food is not exposed to the hot radiation a lot and thus it gives time to the content inside to heat up evenly.
When cooking ground beef or chicken, it is recommended that a medium power level is selected.
Also Read:
- What is Power Level in Microwave Oven?
- What is the Power Consumption of a Microwave?
How to Thaw Ground Beef in the Microwave?
Many people do not know that ground turkey can be defrosted in the microwave. Though there are a couple of other options, thawing ground turkey in the microwave is relatively fast compared to the other methods.
Instructions
Microwave your ground beef in batches of 500g. This will help speed up the process.
Take out the ground beef from its package and place in a microwave safe bowl.
If your oven has a defrost button or feature, turn it on and microwave at 2 minutes intervals
If not
Set your microwave oven to medium heat and cook for 2 minutes, stir and cook at 1 minute interval till it reaches room temperature.
Remove from the microwave oven
How to Cook Ground Beef for Macaroni in the Microwave?
Ground beef is an essential ingredient for most pasta. Source: JustCook
Ingredients
- ½ pound ground beef
- Raw Macaroni
- Onion
- Pepper
- Salt
- Water
- Chili
- Tomato sauce or paste
- Ketchup
- Kernel corn- 1 can
Instructions
- Stir your grounded beef till its thoroughly separated
- Add some onions and stir
- Cook on medium heat for about 3 minutes.
- Take the beef out of the microwave oven, add all other ingredients except the macaroni.
- Stir again and set aside
- Put the macaroni in a microwave safe bowl
- Add some water until the macaroni is thoroughly covered
- Cook using high heat for about 30 minutes
- Drain out the water and stir in the previously seasoned ground beef
- Add some cheese.
- Your ground beef macaroni is ready to be served.
Also Read: How Long to Reheat Pasta in Microwave?
Microwave Cooked Ground Beef and Rice
Ingredients
- Rice
- Butter
- Ground beef
- Almond
- Onions
- 4 pieces of fresh Mushroom
- 1 can mushroom soup
Instructions
- Add some fresh onions to the ground beef, put a colander inside a microwave safe bowl.
- Pour in the ground beef and cook under medium heat for about 2 minutes.
- Stir to drain the excess fat and cook for another 2 minutes. Follow this process until ground beef changes from pink to light brown
- Get a fresh bowl and pour in the ground beef, add the rice and microwave for 2 minutes. Add in the mushroom, mushroom soup and almond to taste
- Add the rest of the ingredients into another bowl (stuffing mix, some water and butter)
- Add some of the mixture to the rice and stir
- Cook for 2 minutes and take out of the microwave oven
- Allow to cool and serve.
Also Read: How to Microwave Jasmine Rice?
Tips to Follow When Cooking Ground Beef in the Microwave?
You can use the following tips in order to achieve good cooking results with ground beef.
Always Start Cooking with Medium Heat
Due to the dryness of the exterior of ground beef, starting off your cooking on high heat can cause the ground beef to get brown even when the interior isn't properly cooked.
Starting off your cooking on medium heat will allow the beef to cook from the inside out.
You should also check the interior of the beef before taking it out of the microwave oven. This is to ensure that it is properly cooked.
De-Bone Your Beef
While you can get ground beef that have been previously de-boned, if what you have still has some bones, you should take it out.
Bones use up heat that should be used to cook the rest of the meat. De-boning your beef will help you reduce cooking time.
Use Oil When Necessary and Stir Your Beef
If your ground beef is a little dry, you can add a few oil droplets. Adding some extra droplets of oil on your beef will reduce the chances of your beef drying out.
It will also help add some extra needed moisture to your beef. While you cook your beef, stir it constantly to so that it will cook evenly. Stirring will also allow the excess fat in the beef drain through the sieve.
Cover Your Oven Safe Bowl With a Lid
The oil or fat in the microwave oven can spread and stain your microwave oven wall.
Therefore, cover your oven safe bowl with a lid. If you're cooking the ground beef in a sieve, use a bigger lid, one that can thoroughly cover your bowl. It will stop any chance of splattering in your microwave oven.
Always Get Fresh Ground Beef
When you want to get ground beef from the store, ensure that you get a package that is thoroughly frozen. Check all the sides to make sure that it is not torn or leaking.
When you're not using, keep your ground beef frozen at all times.
Whenever you need some ground beef from the package, only take out the quantity you want to use from the freezer to avoid it spoiling.
Conclusion
In this article, we learnt about how to cook ground beef in the microwave. Ground beef like most meat requires medium and consistent heat to cook thoroughly.
Though microwave ovens have regulated temperature, you can still cook your ground beef in your microwave.
Simply follow major precautions like not defrosting your ground beef using high heat. Also take out your raw ground beef and microwave in a colander if you can.
This will allow the excess fat in the beef escape through the colander into your microwave safe bowl. You will also have a healthier product free of excess fat.
1. Can you cook raw ground beef in the microwave?
Yes, you can cook raw ground beef in the microwave. While microwave cooking of raw meat is safe, the food must reach the proper temperature. Raw beef, pork, and lamb should have a temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit, ground meats should have a temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit, and all ground meats should have a temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. How long does it take to cook beef in the microwave?
Cooking time is approximately 5–7 minutes. Cook the steak in a microwave-safe dish on HIGH for five to seven minutes, flipping halfway through. Cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of your steak and desired degree of doneness, but this method will yield a medium-cooked steak.
3. How do I cook ground beef in the oven?
Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Wrap a large sheet pan in foil ($20, Crate & Barrel). Break up the meat into equal-sized pieces about an inch or smaller using a wooden spoon or spatula. Cover with additional foil and bake for 15 minutes.
4. Can you thaw ground beef in the microwave?
Yes, you can microwave ground beef to thaw it. On days when deciding what to make for dinner is the last thing on your mind, you can quickly defrost ground beef in the microwave. Remove all packaging from the meat and place it on a plate. Microwave on 50% power for 2 to 3 minutes, rotating and flipping the beef every 45 seconds, until it is completely thawed.
5. How do you cook hamburger in the microwave?
Microwave the hamburger for approximately 3 to 4 minutes on "medium" power, depending on the size of your microwave and how you like your "burger." Not spectacular, but quick and delectable! Cook for an additional two to three minutes, depending on how well-done you like your burger patties!
Source: https://kitchengearoid.com/microwave-oven/how-to-cook-ground-beef-in-the-microwave/
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