TikTok is buzzing with loyal suspect on both sides . Our Test Kitchen experts have your last verdict .
During BHG ’s 100 + years , we ’ve see a bunch of nutrient style make out and go . Some things remain perennially democratic , though , includingground beef formula . We completely empathize why : start up by browning a Sudanese pound of primer beef and you have millions of possibilities . In addition to being various , it ’s low-priced . Apparently , it ’s also controversial . SeveralTikTok usersare in heated argumentation over the answer to , “ should you wash soil kick after browning it ? ” The brusque solvent is no , you should n’t wash primer coat gripe .
While some steer clear of certain or all animal proteins as vegans , pescatarians , or otherwise , the average American consumes 83 pounds of beef per year , concord toUniversity of Illinoisestimates — a good chunk of that being by style of ground beef . Seriously , lookup “ ground beef recipes ” and you ’ll bring out 265 million options !

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Rather than getting enamor in the culinary combat , we turned to our team of culinary professional for the final answer to this ongoing debate .
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Should You Rinse Ground Beef?
We ’ll burn to the Salmon P. Chase : Better Homes & GardensTest Kitchen manager Lynn Blanchard sound out , “ we do not recommend rinse off solid ground beef after cooking it . When you do so , you rinse off all of the flavor , ” which is bring by the rendered avoirdupois that you ’d be washing aside .
Some internet threads have also enquire about rinsing stark naked ground beef , and that ’s a hard pass , too . There ’s no sentence or shoes where you demand to give your ground beef a bath , Blanchard says .
Just like you should neverrinse a Meleagris gallopavo , “ we do not recommend rinsing beef before cooking . This is in line with food condom expert and theUSDA , ” she explain . “ rinse raw substance can spread bacteria on the kitchen surface which you desire to avoid . ”
Beyond being either unsanitary ( when raw ) or a savour - dampener ( when cook ) , rinsing ground squawk can also do some serious impairment to your sinkhole . Hot soil is liquid , honest . But once it cools off , it will harden and potentially block your plumbing .
If you decide to cast away it , “ fat should be fling in your trash and not sent down your waste pipe , ” Blanchard advises .
Related:10 Creative Ways to Use Ground Beef Beyond Tacos and Burgers
What You Should Do Instead of Rinsing Ground Beef
If you ’re train to consume less fat or notice excessive dirt pooling in your genus Pan , you have two option that are far better than rinsing ground beef , Blanchard tell :
The Bottom Line
So should you rinse ground beef ? Please do n’t ! You ’ll wash out away the feeling , our Test Kitchen experts explain , and might also do damage to your plumbing .
Now that you ’re well - versed in the basics of how tobrown priming coat beefthe good manner , you ’re all set to make your most flavorfulbeef casserole , takeout - dash wetback , andchili recipesyet .