When we buy ground beef, we usually buy it in bulk which means it has to be divided into meal size portions and frozen.
Sometimes I will make meatloaf and freeze it before cooking ...
Sometimes I will make meatballs and freeze them before cooking ...
But most of the time, since conserving freezer space is important in my freezer, this is the way we do it ....
My husband usually helps me and we divide up the portions and vaccum seal them. Notice that it is just a lump of ground beef in a vaccum sealed bag at this point. If this was put in the freezer like this it would take up unnecessary space and be hard to reposition after it had frozen solid.
But wait, it doesn't have to go in the freezer like that ...
Here's my secret weapon ... my rolling pin! I take that rolling pin and flatten out each package of ground beef by rolling it back and forths until the bag is completely filled and ground beef is evenly distributed.
The finished product labeled, flat and ready to be stacked neatly in the freezer!
Which would you rather work with in your freezer, the lump of ground beef in the first picture or this flat package?
patsi
She looketh well to the ways of her household … Proverbs 31:27
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Love it!!! I usually just flatten mine out with my hands. I will try the rolling pin next time!
ReplyDeleteHolley, the rolling pin saves the hands and distributes the bags contents more evenly.
DeleteThat's a great idea! It must thaw more quickly too. Thanks for the tip!
ReplyDeleteIt does thaw more quickly!
DeleteOh that's brilliant! I've been doing the flattened bags for fruit and veg from the garden, they really are a huge space saver.
ReplyDeleteAllegra, give me flattened bags in my freezer anyday!!!
DeleteCool idea! Never would have thought that would work. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI thought it was neat when I first learned about it too!
DeleteDear Patsy,
ReplyDeleteWell I can tell you from experience that I would rather have a flat package! My husband harvests a deer each fall and we vacuum seal the meat, but I had not thought to flatten it with a rolling pin afterwards. I am going to do this next time. It would make for quicker thawing too! Thanks again, that's two helpful tips from you this week :)
With love, Kelsey
Kelsey, using the rolling pin is easier on my hands.
DeleteI feel much better knowing that I wasn't the only one to not think of this myself! A friend shared this trick with me about 10 yrs. ago and I think it's brilliant! I've used it ever since. It also makes it easier to take inventory when a sale comes along. No confusing it with roast pieces.
ReplyDeleteLOL, love that Debbie ... 'no confusing it with roast pieces!' I can totally relate!!!
DeleteWhat a difference flattening the meat will do ! :) I hate how packages tumble when they are odd sizes and stacked on the freezer shelve.Thank you so much for the hint! Sarah
ReplyDeleteSarah, it makes it alot safer to open the freezer door isn't it!!!
DeleteThanks for the tip! Brilliant! I am going to do this next time.
ReplyDeleteDuh! Why didn't I ever think of this? This is a trick I can use.
ReplyDeleteThanks
Jeannie @ GetMeToTheCountry
BRILLIANT!!!
ReplyDeleteI've got try this at Harvest Lane Cottage.
I never would have thought about the roller pin. Great idea. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous spacesaver!! We just butchered our first cow raised here on our farm and the butcher put in pkgs, but thanks to you, I'll be talking/thinking this over for our next cow. Freezer space is precious when you raise your own food which usually ends with a bulk lot at once, but grocery bargains need space, too!!Thanks so much!!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a great idea to me! I cook it ahead of time to pull out of the freezer and put into the meals I make.
ReplyDelete