Ground Beef Ideas

[milosmomma]

I generally buy a 5lb "tube" of ground beef and divide it into 1lb portions to freeze it. However, last time I bought beef, I was in a hurry and threw the entire tube into the freezer. So, now I have 5 lbs of beef defrosting in my fridge and I need to figure out what to do with it.

What would you do to use the beef? I want to get the most bang for my buck. I don't want to do hamburgers (I prefer fresh beef for that) or meatloaf (I usually use turkey). If nothing else, I'll just brown it all and split it up to freeze (uh...I can do that, right? )


BTW, have I mentioned that I don't particularly like ground beef? I keep it around for when my husband gets manly and needs things to be "meaty"

[robugmum]

I would make a monster batch of bolognese, then freeze it for later use as spaghetti sauce, sloppy-joes, lasagne, over polenta...:

[calebsmommy25]

Tacos/burritos or some sort of mexican lasagna, mmm...taco salad, goulash, stuffed cabbage or peppers, spanish rice, chili.

[Alyantavid]

I'd brown it all and refreeze. Then you'll have lots of meals partially ready and you don't have to eat it all at once.

[VeezieTG]

you can use 2 lbs at least for jamaican beef patties. tacos. spaghetti sauce. i agree with the brown and freeze. you can do a ton of things with brown meat.

[Magelet]

Personally, I would do some freezer cooking. A huge batch of chili? (that would probably be my preference). a ton of lasanga in the freezer? (and some for dinner of course). meatballs to freeze?

[Ruthla]

I wouldn't just brown all of it. I'd make some of it into meatballs, and brown some of it.

It's definitely safe to refreeze the meat after cooking.

When you freeze the cooked meat, put it into individual portions- big enough for one meal. Maybe even half the size of a typical meal, so you can take out smaller portions, or take out 2 for a regular recipe. For freezing meatballs, I'd lay them out on a tray and put the whole tray in the freezer, then transfer the frozen meatballs into a baggie. You can thaw as many meatballs as you need each time.

[Chinese Pistache]

Originally Posted by VeezieTG

you can use 2 lbs at least for jamaican beef patties. tacos. spaghetti sauce. i agree with the brown and freeze. you can do a ton of things with brown meat.

What are jamaican beef patties?

[mistymama]

Originally Posted by Chinese Pistache

What are jamaican beef patties?

The best things ever! And I rarely eat meat.

AMAICAN BEEF PATTY

INGREDIENTS:

Below is a delicious recipe for Jamaican Beef Patties:



PASTRY

2 cups Flour
1/4 teaspoon Salt
1/2 tablespoon curry powder
1/4 cup Solid shortening
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) margarine
1/3 cup Cold water

Recipe by ©eatjamaican.com



Sift the flour, curry powder and salt into a large bowl. Cut in the shortening and margarine until crumbly. Add the cold water to make a stiff dough. Lightly flour a wooden cutting board and roll out the dough until about 1/8-inch thick. Cut out 8-inch circles. Cover with wax paper or damp cloth until ready to use. You can place the dough in the refrigerator overnight. If you do refrigerate, remove the dough at least 15 minutes before using.

MEAT FILLING

Recipe by ©eatjamaican.com

2 tablespoon oil
1 Small white onion, Finely chopped
1/4 teaspoon Chopped Scotch Bonnet pepper
1/2 lb. Lean ground beef
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/2 teaspoon Freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon Curry powder
1/2 teaspoon Dried thyme
1/4 cup Breadcrumbs
1/4 cup Beef or chicken stock
1 Egg, beaten
1/4 cup Water

In a heavy skillet, melt the margarine and sauté the onion and Scotch Bonnet Pepper until they become limp. Add the ground beef, salt, pepper, curry powder and thyme and mix well. Brown the meat for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add the breadcrumbs and stock and combine all the ingredients well. Cover the skillet and simmer for about 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. When all the liquids have been absorbed, the filling is ready. It should be moist but not watery. Remove the skillet from the stove and preheat oven to 400 degrees F.



Uncover the dough circles and place 2 to 3 tablespoons of filling on half of each. Moisten the edges of the dough with water and fold the dough circle over the meat filling. Pinch the edges closed with a fork. Lightly brush the pastry with a mixture of the egg and water. Bake on a lightly greased baking sheet for 30 to 40 minutes or until the pastry are golden brown.

Serves: 10 Patties

[inkslinger]

I would probably do some freezer cooking as well. A batch of spaghetti sauce, chili, lasagna, etc. Brown some for tacos, etc.

[vegmom]

I had some odds and ends in my fridge the other day. Pickles, stock, cream, hamburger, carrots and celery. I made a pickle soup and added hamburger meat to it. It was very good. And fresh dill just made the flavours pop.