Timing guide
How Long to Cook Ground Beef on the Stove
How long it takes to brown ground beef properly, plus the safe temperature and the trick to real color instead of gray, steamed meat.
The short answer
In a hot skillet over medium-high heat, one pound of ground beef browns in about 7 to 10 minutes. It is done for food safety when it is no longer pink and reaches an internal temperature of 160°F.
Thicker crumbles or a crowded pan take longer, so give the meat room and go by color and temperature rather than the clock alone.
- One pound: about 7–10 minutes over medium-high.
- Safe internal temperature: 160°F, no pink remaining.
- Drain excess fat once the meat has browned.
Brown it, do not steam it
Add the beef to a properly heated pan in large pieces and let the first side develop color before breaking it up. Stirring constantly from the start releases water and the meat steams gray instead of browning.
If liquid pools in the pan, let it cook off before adding onions, tomato paste, or spices, which taste better when they hit the hot pan rather than boiling in juices.
Put the method into practice
Recipes that use the techniques in this guide.
Food safety & sources
Cook and store with confidence
The cooking temperatures and storage guidance in our recipes and guides follow official U.S. government food-safety standards. Always confirm doneness with a food thermometer rather than by color or time alone.
- Safe minimum internal temperatures — U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, FoodSafety.gov
- Cold food storage chart — U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, FoodSafety.gov