| 1 | Ground beef packages are labeled according to u.s. |
| 2 | Department of agriculture standards and by supermarket preference. |
| 3 | Lean to fat ratios vary; however, if a package is labeled ground beef, it must be no more thant 30% fat. |
| 4 | A bright, cherry-red color indicates fresh ground beef. |
| 5 | However, fresh ground beef goes through a number of color changes during its shelf life. |
| 6 | A darker, purplish-red color is typical of vacuum-packaged ground beef or the interior of packaged ground beef which has not been exposed to oxygen. |
| 7 | Once exposed to oxygen, ground beef will turn from darker red to bright red. |
| 8 | Store properly wrapped ground beef in the coldest part of the refrigerator (36°F to 40 f); use or freeze within 2 days. |
| 9 | Ground beef can be frozen in its original transparent packaging for up to 2 weeks. |
| 10 | For longer storage, rewrap ground beef tightly in heavy-duty aluminum foil, freezer paper or plastic freezer bags and store up to 4 months at 0°F or lower. |
| 11 | Defrost ground beef in the refrigerator to prevent bacterial growth. |
| 12 | Never defrost at room temperature. |
| 13 | Wash hands with hot soapy water before and after handling raw meats. |
| 14 | Also, wash utensils, counters, cutting boards and other surfaces raw meat has touched. |
| 15 | Do not overmix as patties, meatballs and loaves will have a firm, compact texture. |
| 16 | Cook ground beef to a least medium (160°F) doneness, or until no longer pink and the juices run clear. |
| 17 | All forms of ground beef including patties, loaves, meatballs and crumbles should be cooked to medium doneness. |
| 18 | It"s risky to eat rare ground beef because surface bacteria are transferred to the interior of the meat during grinding. |
| 19 | Brush brown sauces such as teriyaki, worcestershire or soy on the cooked surface of beef patties. |
| 20 | When these sauces are mixed into the raw product, it is difficult to determine doneness. |
| 21 | * cookfdn brings you this information with permission |
