When you are doing your weekly shopping at the grocery store it is easy to be confused by all of the choices in front of you when it comes to hamburger meat. There are a variety of brands to choose from, as well as different fat to meat percentages to look into. By law hamburger meat sold at the grocery store can contain no more than 30% fat to meat ratio, so this narrows down our options thankfully! The less fat the more healthy, so aim for trying to find a 90/10 lean hamburger meat if possible. Hamburger meat is really the leftovers of the other cuts of the cow such as steak, and roasts so it is better to aim for less fat overall.
Know The Labels
According to epicurious, “Legally, the USDA “certified organic” label applies to ground beef from livestock raised on organic, pesticide-free feed with access to pasture. They’re also free of antibiotics or growth hormones. The USDA defines “grass-fed” as cows fed only grass and forage, but that doesn’t limit the use of antibiotics, hormones or pesticides nor does it mean the animals were on pasture all the time.” (1).
Always be mindful of where you are purchasing your beef whether it is at the grocery store, local butcher, or farmers market. Always add in your beef, and other meat last to your shopping cart as it is important they stay cold! Look for discoloration on the outside too, if the beef is brownish or gray on the outer rims it means the meat is close to spoiling. If it is browning on the inside/middle it is due to lack of oxygen.
Beware of Bacteria
There is nothing worse than E-coli poisoning, and it can be dangerous to deal with too! Always be mindful of where you are buying your meat and how long they have been “sitting out.” It is always best to cook your purchased meat at proper temperatures which is around 160 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure all bacteria is killed. Try and use or freeze your ground beef within at least 2 days of purchasing it to be on the safe side!
Because this type of meat is one of the most versatile meats, it comes in handy for many family meals. If you have not already tried the hamburger soup, it is quite a favorite within the PS1000 community. Click here for the recipe.
According to the Kitchn, there are several different kinds of ground beef to choose from which include: Regular ground beef, Ground Chuck, Ground Round, and Ground Sirloin. The most prestigious is the leanest type of ground beef, and regular pound beef is the most fatty.(2)
Shop Around
Don’t be afraid to look for a good deal, and buy in bulk! You can freeze ground beef, and it will taste just as good as the day you brought it home. Getting a deal on the most expensive meat is ideal, and you will be eating far more healthy because of it!
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