TikTok has certainly become a popular source for fun culinary ideas for cooking at home. From learning the best way to chop onions, to a simple baked feta pasta dish requiring just a few ingredients, and even hot honey chicken that brings a taste of Nashville to your kitchen, the platform offers inspiration galore.
Recently, a video about rinsing ground beef went viral on TikTok, leaving many folks curious. Naturally, we turned to the experts to settle the debate: Is it necessary to wash ground beef before or after cooking?
Should You Consider Washing Ground Beef?
According to Diana Clark, a meat scientist with Certified Angus Beef, “The key point to remember is that the U.S. food system ensures all beef is safe for consumption, so there’s no need to wash it before cooking.” If you’re concerned about food safety, she advises storing ground beef in the fridge to keep it fresh and cooking it to an internal temperature of 160°F.
On the chance you do opt to rinse your ground beef, Clark emphasizes thoroughly cleaning your sink and surrounding surfaces to prevent any bacteria from spreading in your kitchen.
Clark also mentions guidance from the USDA, warning that water can splash bacteria up to three feet, so it’s crucial to clean those areas to avoid cross-contamination.
Heidi Meyer, who co-created Pound of Ground Crumbles, shares a similar viewpoint.
“I think the general advice is not to wash raw ground beef due to the risk of spreading raw juices throughout your kitchen,” she explains. “Regardless, always ensure you cook ground beef to a safe and tasty 160°F.”
And What About Washing It After Cooking?
Clark notes there’s also a trend regarding washing cooked ground beef. “From a food safety perspective, there’s no necessity. If you’re concerned about grease, simply draining your ground beef suffices. The remainder holds the delicious flavor you don’t want to lose.”
We reached out to Chef Ferrell Alvarez, a Tampa-based culinary expert with The Proper House Group, where Nebraska Mini-Mart serves hamburgers, for his take on this trend.
“I’ve never heard of rinsing ground beef, ever,” Alvarez comments. “I don’t believe it’ll harm anything, but there’s absolutely no reason for it.”
The Conclusion
Step away from the colander. Rinsing raw ground beef can lead to health risks by spreading bacteria-laden juices over your kitchen surfaces.
Once cooked, rinsing the beef only washes away the good taste. To reduce grease, just drain it instead of rinsing. Following these simple guidelines ensures not only safety but also flavor retention in your dishes.
