The Ground Beef Debate

When my mother-in-law cooked dinner with ground beef today, I was taken aback—she didn’t rinse it. I couldn’t eat it and kept my kids away too. I’ve always rinsed ground beef before cooking, believing it removes excess fat and bacteria. Seeing her skip this step felt shocking, especially since I consider it a must for safety and taste. Studies suggest rinsing can reduce bacteria like E. coli if done carefully, though some argue cooking kills it

anyway. I prefer the cleaner result and lighter flavor. Her method—cooking it straight—left the meat greasier than I’m used to, which turned me off. I didn’t want to offend her, so I quietly opted for leftovers instead. Later, I asked if she’d try rinsing next time, explaining my reasoning. She shrugged, saying it’s unnecessary, sparking a small debate. Now, I’m curious—am I overcautious, or is rinsing a standard step? I’d love to hear others’ takes on this kitchen habit!