You may be curious if washing ground beef helps decrease bacteria or improves its healthiness. The USDA advises against washing raw beef, especially ground beef. Here's why: when you wash meat, water can splash and spread dangerous bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella around your kitchen. This mixing of germs could end up on kitchen surfaces, tools, and even food close by.
Which choice is the best? Cook the minced meat until it reaches a temperature of 160°F inside. That's when the bad bacteria are completely killed, making the meat safe to eat. According to science, washing food is not needed for safety. Instead, good cooking is what does the hard work.
Dangers of Washing Ground Meat
Many think washing ground beef removes bacteria, but it can actually make it less safe. For what reason? Rinsing can make it more likely for germs to spread. When water from the meat splashes, it can carry bacteria to different parts of your kitchen like cutting boards, sink, or other foods you are cooking.
Also, washing the meat does not completely get rid of bacteria on the meat. The heat from cooking is what destroys these harmful microorganisms. Therefore, rinsing may appear to be an additional safety step, but it is more likely to be harmful than helpful. If you want to make sure your kitchen is safe, the most important thing is to pay attention to how well you cook the meat, not how much you rinse it.
Can rinsing ground beef lower its fat content?
