Some people try rinsing ground beef with vinegar or lemon juice, hoping to âsanitizeâ it. While these acidic liquids may slightly reduce bacteria on the surface, they do not penetrate the meat, and they donât eliminate the need to cook it thoroughly.
đ§Ÿ Bottom Line
Noâdonât wash ground beef before cooking. It wonât make your food safer or cleaner. In fact, it can increase your risk of foodborne illness due to cross-contamination in your kitchen.
Instead, focus on proper storage, handling, and cooking techniques. If you’re aiming for cleaner or leaner meals, choose lean cuts, drain fat after cooking, or even mix with veggies or grains.
Safe, simple, and no sink splashing required.
