Saving time with ground beef

[Debberdoo]

I'm not sure if this is the right place to put this but wanted to share a time saver that I use for ground beef. I brown several pounds of ground beef at one time. I usually buy 8-10 lbs at a time and brown it all. Then I drain it and put it into ziploc containers in the freezer in 1 lb containers. When I need to make hamburger helper or tacos or anything that calls for browned ground beef I have it very quickly without taking the time to thaw & brown. These 1 lb packages can be thawed very quickly in the refrigerator or on defrost in the microwave.

[Melissa]

Thanks so much for this tip! I always thought about doing it but never have. I am looking for shortcuts for dinners bc we are always on the go! How does chicken work doing this and freezing? I wonder how long it keeps.

[Debberdoo]

I think chicken would do fine this way as well. We have 6 people in our family so usually I just cook up a whole family pack early in the week, then use it as needed the rest of the week for things like chicken parmesean, stir fry, chicken alfredo. I shortcuts.

[mnm'z]

Hey Melissa,

I freeze cooked chicken all the time. As a matter of fact, I cook more chicken than I plan to use just so I have some on hand. I work every other week and when I do work, it's 10-12 hour days and I do NOT want to cook, LOL! I'll add it to a box of Pasta-roni or Rice-a-roni, add a veggie and dinner is done!

I do the same thing with Gr. Beef except I put the beef in Ziploc's and flatten to get the air out. They store wonderful in the freezer and there is virtually no thaw time at all. The flat, frozen beef can be added to any sauce and it's ready to in minutes.[/i]

[b_kleenex]

I also cook up mass amounts of ground beef and freeze it. My family LOVES tacos and taco soup and chili, so when I do the ground beef I go ahead and put in the taco seasoning or chili powder and make it into taco meat, then I freeze in ziploc bags. That way, you can just throw it in the microwave and you have tacos! Chicken freezes extremely well, I have an aunt that does it for casseroles, chicken salad, etc...