This no mess method is a great time saver, and you’ll always have browned ground beef in the freezer for tacos, spaghetti, soup, etc.

Directions for browning ground beef in the oven:

1. Line large shallow pan with heavy duty aluminum foil
2. Press 3-5# of ground beef (I prefer lean ground beef) in bottom of pan.
3. Always wash your hands after handling raw meat.
4. Place in 450 degree oven on bottom rack for about 30-60 minutes. (The time depends on the poundage of meat and fat content. Cook until all water has evaporated and meat is browned.)
5. Remove from oven, allow to cool slightly, and chop meat by hand or in a food processor.
6. Portion meat into plastic freezer bags, label, and freeze.
7. Use for recipes calling for browned ground meat.

Hints:

1. You can increase the amount of ground meat to 5# but it will take longer to brown.
2. If you use ground meat with a higher fat content, it will take longer to cook and there will be fat to drain off before chopping.
3. Use this same method for browning sausage, ground turkey, or bacon