This simple tutorial is a tried and true meal prep hack straight from my kitchen to yours. This is the technique I use for preparing Make Ahead Ground Beef for Freezing. I cook it on a day when I have extra time to cook a large batch of seasoned beef then pack it up and freeze it for busy day meals.
Make Ahead Ground Beef for Freezing
Are you a bargain shopper? I'm a proud penny pincher and I'm constantly looking for ways to save money and time when it comes to my grocery budget and weekly meal prep. It occurred to me one busy afternoon while preparing to brown ground beef for sloppy joes, that many of my ground beef recipes begin the same way with olive oil, diced onion and garlic seasoned beef. So, I began making cooked beef in large batches lightly seasoned, knowing that half of the work was done for busier days when there's little time to plan and cook.
Helpful Tips for Making Ground Beef to Freeze
While I love eating out on occasion like anyone else, I don't think it should be your "go to" meal plan on busy days. By taking time to prepare portions of your meals in advance you can keep both your grocery and eating out budget on track.
- To make make ahead ground beef, start with quality lean ground beef.
- Season and cook with diced sweet onion for an added layer of flavor.
- Cool cooked beef and separate into individual meal prep portions. When preparing this ground beef to freeze, you can separate it into any amount you'd like to suit the size of your family.
- I choose to separate it into 2 cup portions knowing that if I need more for a recipe, I can easily pull two packages out for transforming it into a meal.
- Toss frozen beef it into a skillet and it thaws in minutes, adding seasonings and sauce for the recipe you're making.
- Freeze in freezer safe bags or containers of your choice.
Ways to Use Make Ahead Beef
On a hectic day pull a pack or two, from the freezer and you're ready to make smokey joes, chili spaghetti, Shepherd's pie and many other ground beef casseroles and meals that suit your fancy. Doing so will save you time and money on those days you may be tempted to order out. You may also like this freezer friendly Ground Beef Tacos from Carlsbad Cravings. Visit my recipe index for more scrumptious ways to enjoy ground beef here.
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Helpful Kitchen Items:
Make Ahead Ground Beef For Freezing
Ingredients
- 1 jumbo onion small dice (Or 2 large onions)
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 6 lbs lean ground beef
- 6 teaspoon garlic salt Roughly 1 tsp/pound
- 2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ⅓ cup Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Drizzle a large skillet with olive oil. Add the diced onion and cook over medium-high until softened about 2 minutes.
- Add the ground beef, garlic salt and black pepper to the pan. Cook the meat over medium-high until no pink remains around 12-15 minutes.
- Drain all excess fat from the pan, then add the Worcestershire sauce. Cook for 2 minutes stirring to fully distribute.
- Remove from the heat and spread onto a large paper towel lined baking sheet. Place into the fridge to cool.
- Divide the cooled beef and package into quart size plastic freezer bags, 2 cups per bag and label.
- Press flat, seal and freeze.
Nutrition
My name is Melissa and I'm the Creator of Melissa's Southern Style Kitchen. Cooking, baking, developing recipes and kitchen tips is my passion. I love sharing my dishes and connecting with people through the food that I create.
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Kathy
Hi. How long can can you keep the thawed cooked ground beef in the fridge? I started cooking my ground beef ahead and putting it in the fridge to thaw but something would come up and I would not be able to use it after it thawed and may not be able to do it the next day. I've thrown ground beef out several times for that reason. Do you know how long it is good to keep in the fridge
after it has thawed?
Melissa
Follow the dates on the packaging to be safe.
Michelle
Thank you for sharing this tip and recipe.
Melissa
It's my pleasure.
Kelsey
How long is the meat good for in the freezer?
Melissa
I'm not certain there's a time limit but, I usually use it within 30-60 days.
Lauren
Hello Melissa!
I’m a vegetarian and my significant other is a complete meat eater. I feel I am always in the kitchen for hours since I have to adapt recipes and take a portion out to make it vegetarian in some way. I’m so excited to try this idea! I absolutely love cooking, but I really feel this will help me on days when I’m feeling overwhelmed with being in the kitchen for hours. I’m also about to check out your website for other recipes and whatnot. I’m excited for that too! 🙂
Melissa
Ah this is perfect for you, thanks for visiting!