Sometimes, you can find a great deal at the grocery store on ground beef. Then comes the problem of how to use it up before it goes bad.
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Vacuum pack the ground beef in 1 pound bags. It will stay usable for about 6 months, maybe a little more. If you don't have vacuum sealer, wrap the beef in freezer paper, then in a zip lock freezer bag. Squeeze as much air out as you can, then freeze. You will have to use the ground beef in 3 months or less. Otherwise you will lose the meat to freezer burn.
I have been cooking my beef in water for several years. I have a number of recipes that use beef broth and that is what I use the broth for. I also put a straw in the freezer baggie and suck all the air out before I seal it.
I am a big fan of using the freezer to store my bulk meat. I divide it out as soon as I get home. I usually do about 1 1/2 pounds in zip top freezer bags. Sometimes, I will make burger patties and freeze those with parchment paper or plastic wrap between. I have also cooked the ground beef with onions and garlic before freezing. That makes for a quick weeknight meal as it defrosts pretty quickly even if frozen. Just drain off the grease before packaging.
I will often plan out one ground beef dinner per week. My family has enjoyed tacos, chili, spaghetti, stroganoff and meatloaf, to name a few uses. You can also combine the beef with ground turkey if you want to lighten it up. Sometimes, I will make a big batch and then freeze the excess for individual lunches or another dinner.
The last time I visited my sister she made meatballs by dropping them, after rolling them into balls, into a pot of boiling water. She cooked them only until done (she said they fall apart ortherwise if overcooked...then you make hamburger soup).
The best time to buy meat at the supermarket is in the mornings, look for the "quick sell" labels (sometimes orange, sometimes neon green), usually they have to be sold by that day.
This sounds like a great idea. Although I always buy my ground beef in bulk I never thought to cook it ahead of time before dividing and freezing and getting that great beef broth. Will definitely try this next time.
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