Comments on: Quick Tip: Freezing Ground Beef

By: JoAnn

JoAnn — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 19:34:22 +0000

Like Lori mentioned, I will fry up a giant batch of ground beef. I dump it into a colander in the sink, give it a quick rinse with some hot water to get a lot of the grease off and then I’ll drain on cookie sheets that have been covered with paper towels.

I’ll measure out 1-lb ziploc freezer bags full, flatten them when I freeze them and then whenever I need ground beef at the last minute I can grab one of these packages, microwave at defrost 1-lb and then dump into whatever I’m making (spaghetti, sloppy joes, chow mein, cabbage soup, chili, etc.).

By: Lori

Lori — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 02:39:48 +0000

I do this too...including premade hamburger patties. I buy the ground beef in bulk, come home pat out the burgers, and then put them in ziploc bags. Then, they can just be tossed on the grill! A tip my sister gave me is that she does on big "fry" of hamburger meat. Then, she throws it in the freezer in ziplocs. When she needs some for a meal (like spaghetti) it is already cooked and it just has to be heated. Pretty cool! Lori’s last blog post..Beechnut Baby Food Offer

By: Jim @ CoolStuffForDads.com

Jim @ CoolStuffForDads.com — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:00:24 +0000

This is a good tip. Like Courtney wrote, it takes up less space and a crowded freezer can be a real pain in terms of fitting stuff in there. I always seem to have trouble locating the actual frozen item I am looking for. Jim @ CoolStuffForDads.com’s last blog post..Vintage Music, "Romancing The 70s"

By: Super Mega Dad

Super Mega Dad — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 05:05:56 +0000

This is probably counter productive to the whole “being frugal” thing, but I buy our ground beef in the 1 pound chubby packs and when I need them, I sit them in a bath of hot water for 10-15 minutues. For me, it’s more a matter of convenience over being frugal. My utter laziness outweighs my frugalness sometimes.

Super Mega Dad’s last blog post..Daylight Savings Makes Me Sad

By: Nicki

Nicki — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 23:25:10 +0000

I’m so happy to hear that about the bread! Glad I could help

By: Liz

Liz — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 22:29:40 +0000

Great idea. I'll have to be sure to do this next time I buy bulk ground beef. I do come here for the ground breaking stuff. You have inspired me to bake our own bread for the last 6 loaves. Yesterday's batch was the most delicious with a perfect cutting texture and crust. Yum! Liz’s last blog post..Group Think

By: Emily

Emily — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 22:43:40 +0000

Nikki, if you're not in too much of a hurry to defrost youe meat (maybe you have 45 minutes), put it in a heavy-bottomed skillet. Somehow the metal communicates the cold away from the meat, and it thaws MUCH faster! Emily’s last blog post..Judge Mathis, You Maverick, You!

By: Courtney

Courtney — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 19:09:06 +0000

This is a great tip! We do this too, not only because it defrosts quicker, but also because we also buy our ground beef in bulk, so freezing all those one pound packs is so much easier when they are all flattened. Takes up way less space in the freezer.

Also, if I forgot to pull meat out to thaw I fill up this tall, rectangular Tupperware thing we have (I think it’s really supposed to be used for storing cereals or pasta or something) with cold water and put in the frozen meat pack. The water covers the whole thing, and the cold water doesn’t cook it, but does defrost it. So convenient for all those many times I don’t plan ahead!

By: Heather

Heather — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 13:50:51 +0000

The flat freezing is a great suggestion.

In practice, I’m with Momstheword. We are lucky enough to be able to buy our beef by the 1/2 cow, the ground beef is in 1.5lb loafs. If I happen to forget to pull it out in advance, I just thaw it in the frying pan. The caveat, I wouldn’t just toss it into the slowcooker on low as a solid chunk, with the low heat parts of the meat could remain at an unsafe temperature for too long.

By: momstheword

momstheword — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 01:44:06 +0000

I usually thaw mine in the frying pan. I just scrap off the edges as they start to cook until it's all thawed. I should really try the microwave sometime though. Thanks for the tip! momstheword’s last blog post..MENU PLANNING