Excitingly, ground beef reigns as the ultimate selection in the meat department. From round to chuck and patty to meatball, it offers unparalleled versatility. This crowd favorite dominates both sales volume and revenue, making it a surefire winner. Elevate your culinary creations by opting for lean ground beef. With its adaptability, you can effortlessly turn this pantry staple into a delectable feast suitable for any event – be it tacos, casseroles or soups!
Burgers
A staple of comfort foods and often a main ingredient in many meals, ground beef, is one of the most popular items found in the meat section at grocery stores. It’s also a common protein for grilled, sautéed, or roasted dishes, such as hamburgers. The different options of ground beef available can sometimes be confusing, however. They may all appear similar and be labeled as ground beef, sirloin, or chuck, but they can contain different ratios of lean-to-fat content and have added seasoning, phosphate, extenders, or binders. Choosing the right prepackaged ground beef is key to getting that juicy and flavorful burger everyone desires. The best choices are typically a source grind of 80/20 and higher, resulting in the lowest shrinkage during cooking. The shrinkage caused during the cooking process directly correlates to how much fat is in the grind. Fattier cuts of meat are more forgiving and can handle high cooking temperatures, resulting in a plump burger with less shrinkage. Another important factor when selecting ground beef is how it will be packaged and stored after purchase. Many newer prepackaged ground beef varieties, commonly called chubs, are available in tubes with longer shelf life than traditional packaging. This is because the lines replace some air with other gases, such as nitrogen or carbon dioxide, extending the product’s shelf life.
Chili
Winter is the ideal time of year to make a pot of chili. This is a hearty dish for families and individuals of all ages. This meal has endless variations, and it is easy to add vegetables and beans, allowing everyone in the household to customize their bowl. Ground beef packages can be purchased at many grocery stores, but some may also find it at specialty meat markets. The USDA has inspected this type of ground beef, and it meets specific standards for quality. This kind of ground beef typically comes in a tube called a chub. These packages come in 1-, 2-, 5- or 10-pound sizes. The chub packages are vacuum packaged in a roll-stock machine where a cavity is formed in the bottom film, the product is placed in the hole, and the box is sealed with the top film. The chub packaging also allows for a longer shelf life than traditional packaging. Unlike freshly cut, classic ground beef sold in bulk, these meat tubes are tied at each end and vacuumed sealed to remove oxygen. This allows the meat to maintain a cherry red color that many consumers prefer. When buying a chub, look for the “Sell-By” date on the label. Although this is a guide for retailers, it does not affect the freshness of the product. If you are still determining whether the beef is good, a simple sniff and sight test will reveal if it has gone bad.
Meatloaf
The classic American meatloaf is a hearty one-dish meal that consists of ground beef, eggs, breadcrumbs, onions, ketchup and spices. It is moist and tender inside with a tangy glaze on top. This dish can be made in several different ways by adding various ingredients. While all-beef meatloaf is still a favorite, experimenting with other ground meat can offer a unique flavor experience. For example, switching out beef for pork can give the meatloaf a more ‘meatball’ taste and texture to it. In addition, using a combination of ground meats can also help keep the meatloaf from drying out during cooking. Other ingredients, such as garlic, Parmesan cheese, marinara sauce, and even smoked paprika, can also be added to the mixture for a smoky flavor. The recipe can be topped with either ketchup or brown sugar for an irresistible combination of sweet and savory flavors.
One of the key things to remember when making meatloaf is to keep the ingredients the same. Over-mixing can result in a dense and tough texture. In addition, it is important to use high-quality ground beef with the right fat content to ensure the meatloaf stays moist. For example, opting for an 80/20 lean-to-fat ratio will create a moist and tender meatloaf, while using a 90/10 lean-to-fat meat will result in a dry and tough meatloaf.
Pasta
Ground beef packages can be found at your local grocery store in different types of packaging, depending on the brand. These different types of ground beef packaging affect how the meat looks, smells and tastes.
For example, some ground beef packaged in tubes are called chub packages. These are tubes of ground beef that vary in size and leanness (e.g., 80% lean:20% fat). They are often made from tough cuts of meat such as round, sirloin or chuck and typically have no added water or fillers. Other types of ground beef packaged in tubes are vacuum sealed. This packaging removes air from the package and darkens the meat color to help it keep longer. This type of ground beef packaging is also useful if you plan on freezing the beef. Regardless of the packaging used, check your ground beef before purchasing it at the grocery store to ensure it is fresh and safe for consumption. Look for signs of spoilage, such as a sour smell, dull or brownish-gray color and a slimy texture. If your ground beef has gone bad, discard it immediately and use another piece of meat instead.
