What To Do With Grease From Ground Beef? Solved

Last Updated on July 14, 2024 by Shari Mason

Once you have finished cooking a dish using ground beef, you may be left with excess grease and unsure of how to dispose of it.

Instead of just throwing it away, you can do plenty of useful things with the grease from ground beef. 

The possibilities are endless, from making your own cooking oil to getting crafty and making soap. Read on.

What Can You Do With Ground Beef Grease?

Ground beef grease, or fat, is incredibly versatile and useful when cooking. It can be used in various dishes, from soups and stews to burgers and tacos. 

Ground beef [1] grease can also fry vegetables, make sauces, or thicken gravies. 

Ground beef grease can also be used for baking. Substituting ground beef grease for butter or oil can add a savory flavor to baked goods like biscuits, cookies, and cakes. 

It can also add flavor to bread like focaccia or pizza dough. Ground beef grease can also grease baking pans and give food a crispy texture. 

It’s also a great way to add extra flavor and texture to dishes like macaroni and cheese. 

With creativity, ground beef grease can be used in various dishes to add extra flavor and texture.

Read:

• How To Dispose Of Hamburger Grease?
• White Stuff On Ground Beef After Cooking

How To Drain Grease From Meat

To drain grease from meat, drain as much grease as possible by pouring it into a container. Next, wrap the meat in paper towels and press gently to absorb more grease. 

Finally, cook the meat in a skillet over medium-high heat, flipping it regularly to ensure that the grease is cooked off completely. 

If the grease remains, you can place the cooked meat in a colander and let it sit for a few minutes to allow the remaining grease to drip off.

Read: Do You Need Oil To Cook Ground Beef?

How To Drain Grease From Ground Beef Without Straining

To drain grease from ground beef without straining, you can use a simple spoon to scoop off the grease from the top of the cooked beef. 

You can also use a slotted spoon or a sieve to help separate the beef from the grease. You can then pour the beef onto a paper towel to help absorb the excess grease. 

If you want to be extra careful, you can use a fat separator to measure and separate the fat from the beef.

Read: How Long Can You Leave Cooked Ground Beef Out?

Is Ground Beef Grease Bad For You?

Ground beef grease is not inherently bad for you, although it should be consumed in moderation.

The primary concern with ground beef grease is that it is high in saturated fat and cholesterol, which can contribute to heart disease if consumed in excess. 

“You don’t need a silver fork to eat good food.”

Paul Prudhomme, American Chef

However, it can also provide certain health benefits, such as providing a source of energy, aiding digestion, and helping to absorb certain vitamins and minerals. 

Therefore, it is important to maintain a balanced diet while incorporating some ground beef grease into your meals.

Read: How To Add Fat To Lean Ground Beef?

Where Do You Drain The Grease?

The best place to drain ground beef grease is a heat-safe container, such as a metal bowl or a jar. Make sure the container is large enough to hold all of the greases. 

Once the ground beef has finished cooking, turn off the heat and carefully pour the grease into the container. Allow the grease to cool before discarding it. 

If you wish to save the grease for future uses, such as making gravy or sautéing vegetables, transfer the cooled grease to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator.

Find out how restaurants clean grease traps here.

Ground Beef Grease Draining Hacks

1. Use a colander or strainer: Place your cooked ground beef into a colander or strainer over a bowl and let the grease drain out. 
2. Use paper towels: Spread a few paper towels over a plate and spoon the cooked beef onto the paper towels. The paper towels will absorb the excess grease.
3. Use a slotted spoon: Place the cooked ground beef into a bowl and use a slotted spoon to transfer the beef onto a plate. The slots in the spoon will allow the grease to drain out. 
4. Use cheesecloth or a nut milk bag: Place the cooked ground beef into a cheesecloth or nut milk bag and squeeze out the excess grease. 
5. Use a fat separator: A fat separator is a kitchen tool to separate fat from liquids. Place your cooked ground beef into the fat separator, which will strain the grease.

FAQs

In Summary

One easy and responsible way to dispose of grease is to let it cool and solidify, then scrape it into the trash.

Another option is to save the grease for future cooking by storing it in a container in the refrigerator or freezer. This can add flavor to dishes and reduce waste. [2]

Remember to never pour grease down the drain or toilet, and always be mindful of the impact of our actions on the planet.

References:

1. https://www.allrecipes.com/recipes/471/meat-and-poultry/beef/ground/
2. https://response.restoration.noaa.gov/about/media/8-ways-keep-earth-clean.html