Cooking Ground Beef in a Crockpot

RE: Cooking Ground Beef in a Crockpot Post By Rachael (Guest Post) (02/25/2008) The key to cooking ground beef in the crockpot is to add water. I usually add one to three cups of water depending on how much ground beef I am cooking. The water steams the beef so it doesn't get clumpy, it ends up nice and crumbly. When the beef is cooked, I drain it in a colander and rinse it in really hot water to remove whatever grease is clinging to the meat. Then I separate it into individual freezer bags after it has cooled some, and then freeze. I have cooked up to 10 lbs of ground beef at a time this way. It's perfect! Report Spam or Abuse RE: Cooking Ground Beef in a Crockpot Post By Rachael (Guest Post) (02/25/2008) The key to cooking ground beef in the crockpot is to add water. I usually add one to three cups of water depending on how much ground beef I am cooking. The water steams the beef so it doesn't get clumpy, it ends up nice and crumbly. When the beef is cooked, I drain it in a colander and rinse it in really hot water to remove whatever grease is clinging to the meat. Then I separate it into individual freezer bags after it has cooled some, and then freeze. I have cooked up to 10 lbs of ground beef at a time this way. It's perfect! Report Spam or Abuse RE: Cooking Ground Beef in a Crockpot Post by nikkiev (7) | (08/13/2006) Profile | Contact I prefer to freeze my hamburger raw, but myMother in Law always cooks her ground beef in her crock pot first and then she lets it cool enough to get rid of the grease before putting into containers/bags for the freezer. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Cooking Ground Beef in a Crockpot Post By (Guest Post) (08/11/2006) Phyllis: Go to about.com and type in slow cooker recipes, there are tons of quick and easy recipes. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Cooking Ground Beef in a Crockpot Post by phylimac (17) | (08/11/2006) Profile | Blog! | Contact thanks for the great idea. I'm going to buy ground beef and freezer bags and get that ready this weekend! Does anyone have any great recipes for crockpots?? phyllis Report Spam or Abuse RE: Cooking Ground Beef in a Crockpot Post by Debbie52 (915) | (08/11/2006) Profile | Contact I've never cooked up ground beef in the crock pot but you could use the microwave. My newer crock pot seems to cook better or at a higher temp so I'll bet it would work well to do that. I'm always saying I'm gonna buy a goodly amount of ground beef and cook up ahead and freeze but then I never get around to it. It would be such a convenience and a savings if the meat is on sale! Report Spam or Abuse RE: Cooking Ground Beef in a Crockpot Post By (Guest Post) (08/11/2006) I don't care for frozen, cooked hamburger so what I do to save time is freeze (maybe a pound or less) in a freezer bag and "squash" it down into a large patty. When you need it, take it out and it thaws in a short amount of time, or I put it in a frying/saucepan with a lid and cook it...takes very little time (microwave would work also to thaw), drain and make my dish. Tastes a whole lot better for the little effort taken. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Cooking Ground Beef in a Crockpot Post by PICO (258) | (08/11/2006) Contact This is my chili recipe that I always make in the crockpot. My hubby does not like kidney beans so I use pork and beans. Don't let the tomato soup throw you off. Give it a try, tastes great You already have the ground beef cooked so you are ready to go, no need to thaw it out, just put in the crock pot frozen with the other ingredients and stir in an hour or so. Crockpot Chili 1 lb. ground beef, browned 1/2c onions, diced 1 clove garlic, minced 1 tbs chili powder 1 can of pork and beans 1 can of tomato soup 1/2 cup water 4 oz.green chilies (optional) In the morning put everything in the crockpot give it a good stir and put on low for 5-6 hours. This is the original recipe. I usually add, diced green or red peppers and celery(whateaver I have on hand) Can be doubled and freezes well ------------------------------ You can also make your favorite meatloaf recipe in the crockpot, form it into a loaf and cook on low for @ 5-6 hours. I line my crockpot with tinfoil so it is easier to remove from the crockpot Report Spam or Abuse RE: Cooking Ground Beef in a Crockpot Post by especielle (27) | (08/10/2006) Profile | Contact I use my crock pot everyday that I work. I have cooked ground beef in the crock pot in the large quantities that you are asking about. I did not have a problem with the meat looking "pale" It looks quite normal. I use ground turkey mixed with ground sirloin(1/2 and 1/2),as well as alone,in the crock pot. who cares what it looks like? It still tastes the same. Has the same nutritional value. Another tip I have taken ground turkey and added oatmeal, and have used bread crumbs also, to stretch the meat and have used it in everything from spaghetti to meat loaf. My family never knew the differnce. Happy cooking. I also drain my meats. And have cooked all sorts of meat in my crock pot.. pork chops,chicken breasts, chocolate cake(wait thats not meat) Good luck. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Cooking Ground Beef in a Crockpot Post by mef1957 (262) | (08/10/2006) Profile | Blog! | Contact I'm sure you can cook it in the crockpot, but I'm not sure I'd want to. Without pan browning wouldn't it be an odd pale color? And unless you are home to continually stir it, I would think it would cook in clumps too. Not to mention it'd be swimming in all that fat also! Just my two cents though... Report Spam or Abuse RE: Cooking Ground Beef in a Crockpot Post By Omajust (Guest Post) (08/10/2006) Don't know why not-- Make sure your crock pot is safe from loose dogs and kids-- and after it's done-- I would drain the cooked hamburger in a colander and possibly rinse it with hot water-- Started doing this years ago to cut down on beef fat-- it's the wrong kind for us humans-- for the taste, when I use it for a meal I put in some olive oil-- it's better for us you see. I certainly do know about the heat! I think we've had 11 days of triple digit temps. So stay cool by all means! good luck Report Spam or Abuse RE: Cooking Ground Beef in a Crockpot Post By glinda (Guest Post) (08/10/2006) You can cook hamburger in the crock pot, also, you can add the seasonings and onions, and make your hamburger dish. We make meatloaf like this also. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Cooking Ground Beef in a Crockpot Post By Connie A. (Guest Post) (08/10/2006) Brown it in the microwave. It doesn't heat up the house and it will do the job. After you have browned it, drain the grease off, (I use a baster to suck the juice out of the dish) then season and freeze. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Cooking Ground Beef in a Crockpot Post By (Guest Post) (08/10/2006) Of course you can. Just mix it well a couple of times during the day or you may have meatloaf! Drain it really well in a colander. Report Spam or Abuse