HOW TO DRAIN GROUND BEEF (THE EASY WAY)

The best way to drain ground beef couldn’t be any easier and cleaner! Grab a bowl, colander, and some aluminum foil and you are all set!

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If you are anything like me and our house, you go through multiple pounds of ground beef or other ground meat each week.

Like many things in life, I used to always drain the grease like my mom did, putting it on sheets of paper towel. This would do a good job of soaking up the grease, but would use TONS of paper towel. Many times the grease would still soak through and get the counter or plate dirty. I just never felt like I was doing it best way.

After experimenting with a few different systems, I created this hack for how to drain ground beef. It involves a colander, a bowl, and aluminum foil.

Remember, here at Living Practically, I like to do things simple and make your life easier.

BEST WAY TO DRAIN GROUND BEEF

A few weeks ago I saw a viral video about how to drain ground beef. It was similar to mine, but a little different. In the video, he lined the kitchen sink drain with foil, dumped the grease into it, let it harden, and then throw the foil away. I don’t like that way for two reasons.

What if the foil moves or rips? All of that grease is going to make a mess in the sink and go straight down the drain.

As the grease takes at least 30 minutes to harden, that eliminates the use of the kitchen sink. Not that I love doing dishes, but I can’t stand the thought of having the motivation (not to mention the time) to wash the dishes and then find out I can’t.

Anyhow, I have been draining grease for the last few years using this system and am SO pleased by how it works and the minimal mess it makes.

1. LINE A BOWL WITH ALUMINUM FOIL.

Line a bowl with aluminum foil. Don’t worry, the bowl is not going to get dirty, just going to hold the grease.

2. PLACE COLANDER ON TOP OF BOWL.

Put the colander on top of the lined bowl. The grease is going to drain into bowl with no mess!

Here is one of the colanders that I have in my kitchen. It works really well for vegetables, pasta, and of course ground meat! I love that it is not toxic and it has so many uses. Without a doubt, I use this colander every single day!

3. BROWN THE MEAT.

Fry up your ground meat in a large skillet over medium high heat. Try to stir it minimally so the pieces can get a nice crisp browning.

Whenever you are cooking ground meat, I recommend doubling or tripling the amount of meat. Browned meat freezes so well and is great to grab quickly, thaw, and use for supper!

You can even add some homemade taco seasoning and then freeze the taco meat. We love having taco meat in the freezer for a very quick and easy meal!

4. DRAIN THE MEAT.

Drain the meat in the colander. It’s like magic, the grease goes straight into the bowl that is lined with aluminum foil. Let it sit for at least 1 minute.

Move the meat back into the skillet or wherever you need it to go.

5. CLEAN UP!

The best part about this hack to drain ground beef is the lack of mess!

COLANDER– Take one sheet of paper towel and wipe out the colander to get the excess grease. Grease can cause some MAJOR problems in your sink drain, so try to get the majority of it. Wash the colander with soap and hot water.

GREASE– After the grease hardens in the foil, (a couple of hours) grab the sides and throw in the trash!

That’s it! Easy peasy!