How long should you cook 5 pounds of ground meat?

It's impossible to tell you exactly how long to cook 5 pounds of ground meat without knowing what kind of meat it is and how you're cooking it. Here's why:

* Type of meat: Ground beef, turkey, pork, and lamb all cook at different temperatures and times.

* Cooking method: Cooking in a skillet, baking, or grilling all have different heat distributions, affecting cooking time.

* Desired doneness: Do you want your meat well-done, medium, or rare? Each level requires different cooking times.

Instead of focusing on time, focus on internal temperature:

* Ground beef: 160°F (71°C)

* Ground turkey: 165°F (74°C)

* Ground pork: 160°F (71°C)

* Ground lamb: 160°F (71°C)

Use a meat thermometer for accurate results!

Here are some general guidelines for cooking ground meat in a skillet:

* Break up the meat into smaller pieces for faster cooking.

* Cook over medium heat and stir frequently.

* Ground beef: 5-7 minutes total, about 2-3 minutes per side.

* Ground turkey: 7-9 minutes total, about 3-4 minutes per side.

* Ground pork: 5-7 minutes total, about 2-3 minutes per side.

* Ground lamb: 7-9 minutes total, about 3-4 minutes per side.

Remember: These are just guidelines. Always cook meat to its safe internal temperature to avoid foodborne illness.