How to Grind Beef
Ground beef is one of the most commonly chosen types of beef due to its versatility and convenience. It is available with varying percentages of fat, with the fattiest usually the most economical. With more surface area exposed to air, ground beef has a shorter refrigerator shelf life than other types of beef. For the freshest ground beef, consider grinding your own. You can grind your own beef using a food processor or electric or manual meat grinder. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- 1 pound beef chunks, boneless and chilled
- Food processor
- Meat grinder, electric
- Meat grinder, manual
- Bowl
Instructions
-
Food Processor
-
1
A food processor quickly turns beef cubes into ground meat. Place the metal blade in the bottom of the food processor.
-
2
Add the chilled cubes of beef to the work bowl and snap the lid on securely.
-
-
3
Pulse the meat cubes until the texture is to your liking. Rough grinds are good for hearty chili while a finer grind is best for casseroles and patties.
-
4
Repeat this process for each pound of ground meat you want to grind.
Electric Meat Grinder
-
5
An electric meat grinder chops meat portions with the push of a button. Place a bowl underneath the grinder to catch the meat as it is ground.
-
6
Put the meat cubes in the hopper at the top of the appliance and engage the grinder with the proper button, following the directions provided by the appliance manufacturer.
-
7
Feed the grinder with more meat as it grinds and extrudes the ground beef.
Manual Meat Grinder
-
8
A manual meat grinder does not need electricity to grind meat. Assemble the manual grinder parts and attach the meat grinder to the proper surface securely. Follow the manufacturer's directions.
-
9
Place the bowl in the proper position for catching the meat as it is ground.
-
10
Place the meat cubes in the feeder at the top, turning the handle to grind the beef as it passes through the blade.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
When you grind your own beef you have the advantage of seeing the cut of beef before it is ground, so you know exactly what you are getting.
Some cooks chill the meat before grinding to make grinding easier and to keep the fat evenly distributed within the ground beef.
Electric grinders come as individual appliances or as attachments to heavy-duty, multi-purpose appliances.
Keep your hands and all kitchen surfaces as clean as possible during the grinding process. You must keep the raw meat from contaminating other surfaces and other surfaces from contaminating the raw meat.
Use the ground product immediately or refrigerate for a day or two. After that, it must be frozen to remain safe to eat.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Stockbyte/Stockbyte/Getty Images Zedcor Wholly Owned/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images Ryan McVay/Photodisc/Getty Images Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images
