# Beef mince (ground beef) cooking times

How long to cook beef mince: **8–10 min pan-fried, 30 min to 1 h boiled, 6–8 hours in a slow cooker and 15–20 min in a pressure cooker**. Every way to cook it is below, with the temperature and how to tell it’s done.

Source: https://feastflow.co.uk/beef-mince-cooking-times (FeastFlow free cooking-time guides). Last checked 11 November 2026.

## How long to cook beef mince

Times are for 500 g, for 4.

Beef mince (ground beef): cooking times by method:

| Method | Time | Heat | How |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Pan-fry](https://feastflow.co.uk/pan-frying-times) (Browned) | 8–10 min | over a high heat | Brown in a little oil, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Pour off excess fat. |
| [Boil](https://feastflow.co.uk/boiling-times) (In a sauce) | 30 min to 1 h | simmering gently in the sauce | Bolognese, chilli or cottage pie filling. The longer it goes, the better it gets; 2 hours is not too long for a ragù. |
| [Slow cooker](https://feastflow.co.uk/slow-cooker-cooking-times) (In a sauce) | 6–8 hours | on low | Brown first, then add the sauce ingredients. 4 hours on high. |
| [Pressure cooker](https://feastflow.co.uk/pressure-cooker-cooking-times) (In a sauce) | 15–20 min | on high pressure | Brown with the sauté setting, then add the sauce; natural release. |

## Before you start

Use a large pan and don’t crowd it, so the mince browns rather than steams. Pork and lamb mince cook the same way.

## How to tell it’s done

Browned all over with no pink. A bolognese or chilli is ready when the sauce has thickened and the meat is tender.

**Food safety:** Cook mince, burgers and sausages all the way through, to 71°C (160°F), with no pink left in the middle.

## Questions

### How long to pan-fry beef mince?

Browned: 8–10 min over a high heat. Brown in a little oil, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Pour off excess fat.

### How long to boil beef mince?

In a sauce: 30 min to 1 h simmering gently in the sauce. Bolognese, chilli or cottage pie filling. The longer it goes, the better it gets; 2 hours is not too long for a ragù.

### How long to cook beef mince in a slow cooker?

In a sauce: 6–8 hours on low. Brown first, then add the sauce ingredients. 4 hours on high.

### How long to cook beef mince in a pressure cooker?

In a sauce: 15–20 min on high pressure. Brown with the sauté setting, then add the sauce; natural release.

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Times are a guide for typical home portions: ovens, air fryers, microwaves and sizes vary. Check meat, poultry and fish with a thermometer. Safe temperatures follow USDA and UK Food Standards Agency guidance.

FeastFlow also plans a whole meal backwards from serving time, with every dish timed and oven temperatures that don’t clash: https://feastflow.co.uk/