Can I brown beef the day before?

[Lochroy]

Planning a slow cooker beef casserole but I want to get ahead with the prep. Can I brown the beef the day before and put it back in the fridge or does that defeat the object of killing the germs?

I can't help, but I've wondered this too.

The browning is for flavour rather than germ killing. I've never even sure as I'd partially be cooking the meat.

I've wondered this too, not that I ever bother browning for the slow cooker, just chuck everything in raw and let it do its thing

Well recipes for Beef Wellington 'prepare' the beef ie browning wrapping etc then say you can chill until you want

So I would say yes

Yeah it's fine, just obviously make sure it's covered and cool before it goes into the fridge.

Thanks. I always thought browning was to kill the germs on the outside.

No browning is just to add flavour.

And colour

Yes it's fine to do the day before just make sure it's fully cooled, then cover and fridge.

But then once it’s all cooked in the slow cooker, you couldn’t have leftovers to reheat, right?

Yes I've done this loads of times. I also then reheat the leftovers, although technically you shouldn't.

I thought it was only chicken you couldn't reheat more than once

Does it count as reheating if it's going into a slow cooker for six hours?