How do YOU Thaw It?

Meatball Stew actually sounds quite delicious! If your anything like me, you never remember to get the meat out the night before to put in the fridge or what ever you planned on...I must say I am a microwave thawer of hamburg myself as it is so quick this way and then I cook it up right away! ~Heavens~

Yes, I've done it in the micro too if I totally forgot about dinner, or changed my mind at the last second, haha. It is faster I must say. Now I'm getting hungry again, lol!

Sorry about that! ~Heavens~

Hello breepeace! So glad that my discussion is so timely for you! I absolutely love good timing in life I actually had to chip away at it tonight also as there is something wrong with the fuses in our apartment or something and my Microwave is not working! Normally I just take it out of the freezer and put it in the microwave...the way I did it tonight takes so much more time and my Hubby had to go out tonight too...Thankfully the shepherds pie was ready for him on time! We have hamburg Helper about two or three times a month...Quick, Cheap, and Yummy! ~Heavens~

It's not advisable to leave any type of meat at room temperature as it can lead to bacterial growth.

rocketj1 is correct on that point! You should place the hamburger or whatever type of meat it is in a sink of cold water instead or in the fridge over night! If you use the microwave, cook it immediately! Do not reheat left over foods more than once either! ~Heavens~

The dip sounds yummy...what do you serve that with? I like to make my Meatloaf with stuffing and put it into muffin pans for baking! ~Heavens~

beware chevee, thawing meat at room temperature can cause bacterial growth. I only use the fridge to be safe. Some people use the sink with cold water but I don't risk it.

Hi Paula I agree with you for making patties or meat balls... The best way of thawing for that is definitely over night in the fridge or sink of cold water for sure! I'm often making pasta sauce or Shapherds pie or Hamburg Helper and so I usually go the microwave route for these! ~Heavens~

Fresh is the best where it has never been frozen but this is generally not possible for me as I don't drive and so buy quantities when I have the opportunity and it hits the freezer unless I keep out one portion for that night! I am a microwave person generally when thawing Hamburg. I like it because it takes about four minutes and then I cook it right away, so quick this way! ~Heavens~

Hello sahmof2 and Welcome to My Lot! So glad that you dropped by here to talk about your thawing processes We really enjoy talking about just about anything here Usually I just take it out of the freezer and thaw in the microwave then cook immediately or I would put in fridge over night. I cook with hamburg at least once a week, maybe more as it is a very economical meat and there is so much you can do with it! Your favorites are some of mine as well My husband just loves meatloaf made with stuffing instead of breadcrumbs and made in a muffin pan!!! With Hamburger Meat the possibilities are many! ~Heavens~

It is better if you thaw it in cold water...Much safer that way! ~Heavens~

I want to make lasagna one day, but there are two of us so it is not feasible. I bought the frozen kind and the cheap kind tasted like tomato sauce mixed with hamburger and noodles on top. I used to make meat loaf when I was in my twenties. I was thinking of buying the ground sirloin like Rachel does on her show, but it costs a bit too much for us.

I've actually found a ready made lasagna that is quite reasonable in price that my family really likes but I have had the type you are talking about here and they are not the best I must agree! I just use regular hamburger meat for my meat loaf and it is quite good! I have an awesome recipe! ~Heavens~

I use hamburger for a large variety of dishes and meals and likely use it at least twice a week as finances are short and we are unable to go out or order in...Hamburger meat is very economical and so is a staple in our house..I buy the lean as it is healthier also! ~Heavens~

I pretty much thaw mine out the same way! We use it for several dishes here as it is so economical and versatile! ~Heavens~

Sorry forgot to answer your second question - we usually make burritos or mix it with hamburger helper, or make mushroom meatballs and sorts.

That's a wonderful idea and the best way to thaw out any meat is in the fridge over night as that is definitely the safest! I prepackage my meats also but then I have three mouths to feed here!Hamburger Meat is a staple around here! ~Heavens~

Yes, it especially helps if you add a little water to the pan and put the lid on for a bit...just make sure it doesn't dry out of water and this will prevent burning this way! I agree, the best way to do it is in the fridge for sure! ~Heavens~

You are the second person who has mentioned these metal thawing tray things which I have never heard of before! I would imagine that would not be really safe though as you should never just leave meat out unless it is in cold water....I took a Food Handling Safety course and learned that there. In fact the best thing to do is place it in a bowl on the bottom shelf to thaw over night. I actually have an excellent "different" recipe for Meatloaf that you make in muffin tins! Absolutely delicious!!! ~Heavens~

Do you just put it in frozen and then place a lid on top? Do you add water so it doesn't burn that way? ~Heavens~

Oh, yes it gets burned sometimes.

I suggest that you add a bit of water then...This will stop it from burning while it thaws! ~Heavens~

Neat Idea! I never thought of cooking first and then freezing it... This could save time too especially when cooking something like Shepherds pie or lasagna or pasta sauce or chili where the meat has to be browned first anyways!!! Thanks for the tip! That is so awesome that you own a farm or Ranch by the sounds of it... I was raised on a farm! I do hope you are enjoying yourself here on the Lot! ~Heavens~

Wow! Twenty pounds a week is a lot! You must have a large family! So you precook it and then do you freeze it once it is cooked and how do you re-heat it? I agree that Hamburger is very economical and stretches nicely also. I also like the variety of meals it can be used for! I do hope that you are enjoying yourself here also! ~Heavens~

we have a very large family and i feed my clients most lunches i have an open door policy for all workers on the farm as well if im cooking they are invited. i just throw the frozen meat in the microwave for about 3 minutes to thaw or if doing a crock pot thing i add it frozen that is why i love the rubbermaid sandwich size boxxes they let me pop the frozen cooked burger right out

I admit I am a microwave type of person as well! I love the variety that Hamburger has to offer in the dishes you can make also! I cook with it often...It is a staple in my house! ~Heavens~

Spaghetti with my meat sauce is one of my favorite things!! I must say I have never heard of one of these metal things...Would you be able to post a photo of it? Thanks so much for your response! ~Heavens~

I agree the best way to thaw any meat would be to take it out the night before and place it on the bottom shelf of the fridge over night or missing that to thaw in cold water and cook immediately but the way my mind works I often fail at these and so end up microwaving! ~Heavens~

Sorry I am three weeks in getting back to you my Dear OURDEW! It has been quite a month for me to say the least and I have not posted much since this discussion until today... If you see my latest discussion from today then you will understand why I am so late in getting back to you here and I hope you can forgive me as I truly do appreciate your response here as always! I truly do love the versatility of Hamburger! I make my own pasta sauce, tacos, meat loaf, shepherds pie, Meat Balls, Hamburgers, Chili and much more...It's a staple around here these days as it is so economical as well! ~Heavens~

I am sure there are many people that do this...I should know, I work in a Grocery store but this is not practical for me as I always close the store and so I arrive home late at night and am unable to pick up anything when I close the store any way!! I know what you mean about planning ahead I sometimes have difficulty doing this also but I need to do this more and am thinking about writing up an actual menu for the week so that we are more organized here...However, that is why either a sink of water or the microwave is my best friend!!! ~Heavens~

Welcome to My Lot mogutou! I agree that the Fridge is the best way to do it however I usually do use the microwave and then yes fry it immediately! I took a food handling safety course and was actually told there that it was ok to put meat in a sink of cold water as long as it is either cooked immediately or placed in the fridge until cooked once thawed. Butter and Cream with Hamburger...Is that the entire meal? ~Heavens~