Many people want to reduce their fat intake and therefore use various methods in the kitchen.
One of them is rinsing cooked ground beef with hot water.
The most important choice
Nutrition experts interviewed by Good Housekeeping say that the most important step is choosing lean ground beef.
They also point out that portion size and a diet rich in vegetables and whole grains have a much greater impact on overall health than rinsing the meat.
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They also recommend draining the fat from the pan after cooking.
For lean ground beef, this is often sufficient, and rinsing may also make the meat less juicy.
Fat can be removed
According to Good Housekeeping, research published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics shows that rinsing can remove some of the fat from cooked ground beef.
The effect is greatest if the meat is first drained and the remaining fat is blotted away.
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At the same time, experts say that rinsing removes only a small amount of the fat, while the beef retains most of its nutrients, including protein, iron, zinc, and B vitamins.
Should you rinse the meat?
The most important advice is that raw ground beef should never be rinsed.
According to Good Housekeeping, doing so can spread bacteria to the sink and kitchen surfaces. Instead, the meat should be cooked thoroughly.
The overall conclusion is that rinsing cooked ground beef can slightly reduce its fat content.
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However, according to the nutrition experts cited by Good Housekeeping, choosing lean ground beef and maintaining a healthy diet are far more important for overall health.
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