A TikTok trend about washing ground beef has gone viral, raising the question: Should you wash ground beef before or after cooking?
Experts say no, you shouldn’t. The U.S. food system ensures that beef is safe to eat without washing. Diana Clark, a meat scientist, advises keeping ground beef cold and cooking it to 160°F for safety. Washing it could spread harmful bacteria, especially if it splashes in the sink. The USDA warns that water can spread bacteria up to three feet around your sink, so cleaning surfaces afterward is essential.If you’re concerned about grease, drain the cooked beef instead of washing it, as rinsing removes flavor. Chef Ferrell Alvarez agrees, stating there’s no reason to rinse ground beef at all.Bottom line: Skip the colander. Rinsing raw ground beef is risky and rinsing cooked beef removes flavor. Drain instead.
