Heat a large skillet or pan over medium-high heat. When the pan is hot, add the beef. Season with salt and pepper. If you are preparing ground beef for a recipe, the recipe may direct you to add other seasonings, or other ingredients, like onions or garlic.
Stir the beef periodically, breaking up the meat into crumbles. Don’t stir it constantly; you want to give the meat a bit of time to sit in contact with the hot pan so that it browns. Keep stirring until it is all browned and crumbly.
Carefully drain the fat in a colander. Proceed with your recipe! There are all kind of ways to use ground beef, in recipes from quesadillas to enchiladas.
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Notes
Don't crowd the pan. Make sure the meat is no more than ½-inch thick across the bottom of the pan, or it will steam instead of browning evenly.
Start with a hot pan, and keep the heat medium high. Too low, and the beef will steam; too high, and it will start to become quite brown in spots and toughen before the rest of the meat cooks.
Take breaks when stirring; allow the meat a bit of time to sit in contact with the hot pan so that it browns.