Whacky Doodle Ground Beef
Boiling ground beef may seem a bit whacky, but trust me—it’s an easy, mess-free, and surprisingly effective method for cooking a large batch of beef. With 6 pounds of beef, you’ll have plenty of cooked ground beef for meal prepping or quick weeknight dinners, all without the usual splatter mess.
Servings: 24 servings
Calories: 288kcal
Cost: Varies
Equipment
- Large stockpot
- Colander
- Freezer bags (for storage)
Ingredients
- 6 pounds ground beef
- Water enough to cover beef
Instructions
- Prep the Beef: Place 6 pounds of raw ground beef into a large stockpot. Add enough water to fully cover the beef.
- Boil: Bring the pot of beef and water to a boil over high heat. No lid necessary, and don't add salt yet.
- Break it up: Once the beef starts to cook, stir it occasionally to break up the larger clumps, about 10 minutes. The hot water will do most of the work, so don’t worry about splattering!
- Check for doneness: When the beef turns from pink to brown and the water is no longer murky, it’s done. You don’t need a rolling boil—just ensure all the meat is fully cooked.
- Drain: Use a large colander to drain the beef in batches. Make sure to save the broth for later! You can use it for soup, gravy, or just to add extra flavor to other dishes.
Notes
Portioning Made Easy: Once boiled and drained, measure 2 cups per bag (about 1 pound raw beef). Flatten bags to save space and speed up thawing. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Scalable Recipe: This recipe is easily scalable. Whether cooking 2 or 10 pounds, just adjust the pot and water accordingly. For larger batches, boil in two pots or in batches.
Uses for Portioning: Pre-portioned beef is perfect for quick meals. Thaw by breaking up the frozen beef and use it for tacos, sloppy joes, chili, or casseroles.
Meal Prep Tip: For variety, double or triple the recipe and season in different ways—taco mix, sloppy joes, or plain for spaghetti sauce. The options are endless!
Nutrition
Calories: 288kcal | Protein: 19g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 81mg | Sodium: 76mg | Potassium: 306mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 2mg
