The best way to prepare ground beef in quantity.

Meat Preparation Trick

You can pre-cook ground beef in a slow cooker and freeze portions to use at a later date.

Simply follow the process below.

You will be amazed at how much time and effort this will save you in meal preparation.

COOKING EQUIPMENT NEEDED

Slow Cooker – you can cook 4 to 5 pounds of ground beef in a 4-quart slow cooker

or 6-8 pounds of ground beef in a 7-quart slow cooker.

Meat Chop Stir Tool – used to stir and chop meat while cooking.

Walmart sells them and so does Pampered Chef.

Large Kettle – to hold grease while draining.

Colander/Strainer – used to drain the grease from the meat.

FREEZER PREP SUPPLIES

Ziploc™ FREEZER Bag - (1-quart size holds approximately one pound of cooked meat.)

OR

Extreme Freeze Redi-tainers™ - Deli Type - (2 cup/16 oz. size holds 1 pound of cooked meat.)

Masking Tape - to label containers.

Permanent Marker – to write on labels.

PRE-COOKING GROUND BEEF IN A SLOW COOKER

1.      The day you bring the raw meat home from the grocery store, unwrap it and break into small pieces placing them into the slow cooker.

2.      DO NOT ADD any seasonings at this time. This is done when you prepare the recipe.

3.      Cover slow cooker and set on LOW.

4.      Every hour lift cover and stir meat mixture with the chop stir utensil so it cooks evenly.

5.      When the meat mixture is fully cooked (approximately 3 - 4 hours) unplug slow cooker and begin the draining process of removing the grease from the meat.

6.      Place a large strainer/colander over a deep empty kettle. (I use a metal stock pot).

7.      Pour or ladle the meat mixture into the strainer.

8.      Let mixture drain & cool for approximately 2 hours, stirring occasionally to drain more grease.

9.      If you need more time to cool the meat completely place stock pot, strainer & cover in the refrigerator overnight to package the next morning.

10.   Once the mixture has cooled begin the process of packaging the meat for freezer storage.

PREPARING COOKED MEAT FOR FREEZER STORAGE

1.      While the meat is cooling begin labeling the containers you will use to freeze the meat.

Important to do BEFORE filling with the food. Label the side if storing in an upright freezer – eye level. Label the top if storing in a chest freezer looking down.

2.      Be sure the meat is completely cooled. This is what prevents freezer burn.

3.      Begin scooping meat mixture in to a labeled 1 quart Ziploc™ FREEZER bag or

a 2 cup (16 oz.) Extreme Freeze Redi-tainer. (Available through www.amazon.com)

4.      Place labeled meat in freezer and it will keep for 6 – 8 months.