All you need to know about beef mince
Beef mince how-to guide
Choosing mince
Not all mince is created equal
Aussie retailers use different names and category terms for beef mince such as Premium, Gourmet, Lean, Star Ratings, Heart Smart, Best and Choice. Because these categories have such varying degrees of fat, we recommend you check the fat content on the label – or just ask your butcher.
Which mince to choose?
The leanest grades of mince are the healthiest. However, mince with a slightly higher fat content is a tasty choice for some recipes.
Which mince to choose for your recipe?
Mince grade |
Best for |
|
Leanest (little or no fat in the pan) |
Minced-meat sauces e.g. bolognaise |
|
Mid-range (a little more fat to keep the recipe moist) |
Burgers, meatballs, kofta, meatloaf |
|
Regular grade (spoon off the fat as you brown the mince) |
All-purpose choice |
Buying mince
- Feel pre-packaged mince to ensure it's well chilled.
- Only buy mince in undamaged packaging.
- Check packaging is properly sealed and meat juices cannot leak.
Safety Matters!
Minced meat exposes more surface area to bacteria than bigger, single cuts. Make sure you maintain good food safety habits when handling your mince to eliminate contamination.
Storing mince
How to store mince in the fridge or freezer
- Cook well within the use-by date.
- Cook leftover raw mince within 1-2 days of purchase or freeze.
- Refrigerate leftovers immediately and use within 1 day.
- Freeze mince you don’t intend to use for 2-3 months.
- Flatten butcher-bought mince so it freezes and thaws evenly.
- Cook mince as soon as possible after defrosting.
- Only thaw mince in the microwave if you're cooking it immediately.
- Always cook thawed mince before refreezing.
- Thaw frozen mince on your fridge's lowest shelf, away from ready-to-eat food.
- Don’t refreeze any defrosted leftovers.
Kitchen Science
Why is mince sometimes a brownish colour inside the pack?
Ever noticed how packaged mince can be bright red on the outside, but brownish in the middle? Stay calm – it's normal! Oxygen from the air reacts with exposed meat pigments to form the reddish colour. The pigment responsible for beef's red colour is oxymyoglobin.
The centre of your mince can be brownish due to lack of contact with air. Once exposed, the red colour or 'bloom' returns to the meat. Of course, if all your mince looks a bit grey, it’s a sign the meat is past its use-by time. Bin it!