Help! Raw ground beef in crockpot for chili?!?!

[Anonymous]

If its 93% lean it should be OK. If its 80% you may want to defat it first.

[Anonymous]

I have done this before. And although it tasted ok...the way it looked was just gross. It just doesn't look right when you don't brown the ground meat first. That being said its not unsafe to eat or anything.

[Anonymous]

Microbiologist here. Relax, this is what a crockpot is for.

It will cook through completely and be fine to eat.

It might not even taste bad at all, depending on how he mixed it, fat percentage, spices, your tastebuds, etc.

[Anonymous]

Browning is for taste, not to ensure it cooks through.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have done this before. And although it tasted ok...the way it looked was just gross. It just doesn't look right when you don't brown the ground meat first. That being said its not unsafe to eat or anything.

I have honestly never seen this. What does the hamburger look like when it isn't browned first? I would have thought that it would brown in the crock pot but the fat left in the dish would be what would make it gross.

[Anonymous]

I never brown my hamburg meat before putting it in the crockpot. It turns out fine, seriously.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have done this before. And although it tasted ok...the way it looked was just gross. It just doesn't look right when you don't brown the ground meat first. That being said its not unsafe to eat or anything.

I have honestly never seen this. What does the hamburger look like when it isn't browned first? I would have thought that it would brown in the crock pot but the fat left in the dish would be what would make it gross.

Have you ever eaten Taco Bell? It will be exactly the same texture. The technique Taco bell uses is to mix water into the meat. It would be the same principle. It will be fine.
Some people do this on purpose when making Coney dogs or meat sauce for pasta.

http://www.bigoven.com/recipe/taco-bell-taco-meat/290756

[Anonymous]

It's a crockpot. You cook till it's done. You don't even have to brown the meat. Even after you think it's done-you really should check it before turning it off. If you realize it isn't done after you turned it off, no big deal, just pop it in the microwave or turn it back on.

If you mean, you left it out on the counter with it off for more than 30 min, and didn't realize it wasn't cooked, it shouldn't be out on the counter that long if it's not heated. You should've put that in the refrigerator or keep it heated in the crockpot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have done this before. And although it tasted ok...the way it looked was just gross. It just doesn't look right when you don't brown the ground meat first. That being said its not unsafe to eat or anything.

I have honestly never seen this. What does the hamburger look like when it isn't browned first? I would have thought that it would brown in the crock pot but the fat left in the dish would be what would make it gross.

Have you ever eaten Taco Bell? It will be exactly the same texture. The technique Taco bell uses is to mix water into the meat. It would be the same principle. It will be fine.
Some people do this on purpose when making Coney dogs or meat sauce for pasta.

http://www.bigoven.com/recipe/taco-bell-taco-meat/290756

Big difference between water and fat though. Just the thought makes me grossed out, sorry! I'm sure it's fine but I will continue to brown first.

[Anonymous]

If there is oil on top, put a paper towel in it to soak it up. I make chili the way yours is in a multi cooker. Tastes great. Matter of fact, my husband loves it.

[Anonymous]

I also suggest refrigerating it and then scooping the fat off of the top. I doubt it's ruined.

[Anonymous]

People cook the meat before they put it in the crockpot? Sheesh, what's the point of a crockpot then?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People cook the meat before they put it in the crockpot? Sheesh, what's the point of a crockpot then?

For chili, it's largely a taste and texture thing.

I made the same mistake OP's husband did one time...the meat was cooked through but it was very mushy. The browning gives it more texture.

From their, the point of the crockpot is the slowly cook all the ingredients together to meld the flavors, etc.

[Anonymous]

Won't the ground beef be in a big lump?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Won't the ground beef be in a big lump?

No, it won't, after a full day. A regular roast will be falling apart after a full day in a crock pot, ground beef won't stick together either.

We use farm raised Angus from my dad's farm. When I brown it I don't bother draining it because there is no fat to drain, I would have no qualms at all sticking it raw in a crock pot. It would be fine.