Beef, ground, unspecified fat content, cooked

Cooked ground beef is the workhorse of home cooking, browned in a skillet for tacos and burritos, formed into burgers and meatloaf, simmered into bolognese and chili, or crumbled into stuffed peppers and casseroles. Its texture shifts from soft and pink when raw to firm and browned once cooked, taking on whatever seasoning it is paired with, from cumin and chili powder to garlic, onion, and Italian herbs. Because it is labeled unspecified fat content, this represents a middle-of-the-road grind, not as lean as a 93/7 blend nor as rich as an 80/20 blend, giving a balance of moisture and beefy flavor without excessive drippings. Breaking it up with a wooden spoon while it browns keeps the texture loose and crumbly rather than forming a dense patty, which matters for dishes like chili and taco filling.

When buying ground beef, look for bright red color and minimal liquid pooling in the package, and cook it within a day or two of purchase or freeze it right away. A standard 3-ounce (85 g) cooked portion provides 240 calories and 25.1 g protein, about 50% of the Daily Value for protein, making it a straightforward way to anchor a meal around a substantial protein source. With 0 g fiber and 0 g sugar and 85 mg sodium per 100 g, it works best served alongside vegetables, beans, or whole grains to round out a plate, since the meat itself contributes little beyond protein and iron at 15% DV.