This is a really simple but detailed post, but I promised my next post would be about the different ways I store ground beef.
I even took the time to take a few pictures.
Warning.. If you don't like looking at raw meat.. Don't keep reading. :)) and this will probably be a long post too! There are so many details and ideas that will most likely come to mind while writing..
Anyways. Here we go!!
As you probably already know, I love cooking. Not just because I have 5 children but its fun and I love experimenting and learning new things.
As you read in my previous ground beef post, I buy my meat at Sam's club.
My husband gave me a great idea in separating the meat out when we got home from the store.
He is a electronic tech/engineer and thinks analytically and is a perfectionist in most things. So the first method was his idea!! :D
Method #1
Weigh the beef by 1lb and then put it in a square glad container! It's perfect! Its uniform and fits nicely in a container or in your freezer not taking up too much space. I pat it in real nice and then flip it over onto the counter on top of Saran Wrap. Wrap it up and pound number 1 is done!! I absolutely love it!! I continue till all 10 lbs or so is done...
Method #2
I always start off by weighing the beef by 1lb. Next I will fry the beef and then after its cooled a little put it into sandwich zip lock bags. Freeze it and its perfect when I want to make spaghetti in a hurry.
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| Ground beef bags for spaghetti |
Method #3
We love to make home made burgers.. I weigh the beef at 5.3 oz which is about 1/3 burger. I use my all in one nutritional drink canister lid as a mold. I pop it out onto a cutting board and I usually do about 12 patties just like this for a later date. I use wax paper to separate the patties so they won't stick. This last batch I did I put it in the gallon size ziploc bags and it worked out perfectly. When I made them, I set the bag of patties in the microwave to defrost a little and then put it in the refrigerator till it was completely thawed... They were delicious!!! Perfect round hamburger patties!
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| Yummy hamburger patties |
Method #4
I used this method when I went on a little trip.. I used my already fried ground beef bag and made taco seasoned meat out of it. Our family always adds rice to our taco meat and sometimes add beans to it. We love eating burritos with it too for a quick and easy lunch.
Once the rice is done (click on my "How to make easy rice in 18 minutes or less post" If you want to make rice my way)I add about 2 cups of cooked rice into the taco seasoned beef mixture and then once its cooled put it into sandwich ziploc bags. With the rice added, it goes a long way. I then measure out 2 cups of that mixture and that will fit a small sandwich bag. The reason I usually measure things like that is so I have a better idea of how much we use as a family.
Sorry I don't have a picture of this one, but you can use your imagination :D
Method #5
This is a simple method and works just great. Grab your measured raw 1lb beef and put it into a ziploc sandwich bag. Pat it nice and flat and put it into the freezer. This is a great way to store as well, if you're not a perfectionist and you have plenty of room in your freezer. This method is also great when you want to defrost beef in a hurry for meat loaf or something.
I told you it was a long post!! Hopefully it was helpful and gave you some new ideas..
