How to freeze ground beef portions?

[Anonymous]

https://www.traderjoes.com/home/products/pdp/extra-lean-ground-beef-96-lean-4-fat-026366

I want to buy this (see link) ground beef and then divide it into three or four packages to freeze. That way I can pull out one portion to cook at a time because I don't eat it that often. How to freeze the portions? I have tinfoil and ziplock baggies, but could buy something else if that's better.

[Anonymous]

Quart-size Ziploc freezer bags work fine. (The freezer bags are thicker than the basic sandwich bag.) You can form the beef into patties before freezing which will help it thaw faster when you need it. Just don't keep it in the freezer for more than 3-4 months because it will dry out and lose quality. (That ultra-lean beef is pretty dry, anyway.)

[Anonymous]

I use foodsaver to do this. I have a pack of stew beef right now in the foodsaver bag defrosting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Quart-size Ziploc freezer bags work fine. (The freezer bags are thicker than the basic sandwich bag.) You can form the beef into patties before freezing which will help it thaw faster when you need it. Just don't keep it in the freezer for more than 3-4 months because it will dry out and lose quality. (That ultra-lean beef is pretty dry, anyway.)

Thanks, I'll look for freezer bags next time I'm at the store. Seems like quart size is bigger than needed, but Amazon has pint-sized which will be perfect! (I make meat sauce with the beef, so it won't feel/taste dry when eaten.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Quart-size Ziploc freezer bags work fine. (The freezer bags are thicker than the basic sandwich bag.) You can form the beef into patties before freezing which will help it thaw faster when you need it. Just don't keep it in the freezer for more than 3-4 months because it will dry out and lose quality. (That ultra-lean beef is pretty dry, anyway.)

Thanks, I'll look for freezer bags next time I'm at the store. Seems like quart size is bigger than needed, but Amazon has pint-sized which will be perfect! (I make meat sauce with the beef, so it won't feel/taste dry when eaten.)

The other posters above have same advice that works

I also portion mine into quart zip locks, you can flatten them out while expelling air to make them stackable.

I do this with stuffing/dressing during holiday season. Just make stacks for the freezer. Take them out from time to time. 48 hours until you can put it into a bowl into the microwave.

Repeat for any pasta dish like lasagna macaroni and cheese, etc.

[Anonymous]

No idea. This is what a professional is for.

[Anonymous]

Could you make a large portion of meat sauce and freeze it in super cubes? That would make super easy dinners.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Could you make a large portion of meat sauce and freeze it in super cubes? That would make super easy dinners.

No, because I don't have super cubes and am not in my buying phase right now. Plus meat sauce would stain and I hate that. These freezer bags are going to work best. I eat this type of meat like once a month.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Could you make a large portion of meat sauce and freeze it in super cubes? That would make super easy dinners.

No, because I don't have super cubes and am not in my buying phase right now. Plus meat sauce would stain and I hate that. These freezer bags are going to work best. I eat this type of meat like once a month.

OK,

Your OP literally asks for suggestions on what to buy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Could you make a large portion of meat sauce and freeze it in super cubes? That would make super easy dinners.

No, because I don't have super cubes and am not in my buying phase right now. Plus meat sauce would stain and I hate that. These freezer bags are going to work best. I eat this type of meat like once a month.

OK, Your OP literally asks for suggestions on what to buy.

Yes, but I already said I settled on using freezer bags.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No idea. This is what a professional is for.

You and OP are both slow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No idea. This is what a professional is for.

nothing to add? don't bother replying. you're not clever.

[Anonymous]

Get a foodsaver vacuum sealer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Get a foodsaver vacuum sealer.

I hate these. We got one as a gift and it was so much more expensive to use than a ziploc bag. I use ziplock bags For everything I freeze. I typically use the freezer ones but sometimes if it’s something less than a quart I’ll use a regular sandwich bag.

[Anonymous]

Food saver is the best method it’s essentially repackaging in the same way that package comes in, airtight.

If you go to Ziploc method, I suggest you get all of the air out and flatten your packages so that they defrost faster and they’re easier to store in your freezer as well. You’ll see lots of tutorials on that online.