Ground beef, 2 x 250 g, frozen

Buy Ground Beef: 100% Beef, Freshly Frozen and Portioned

Ground beef belongs in every well-stocked kitchen. Whether it’s Bolognese, burgers, meatballs, or chili con carne: hardly any other ingredient can be prepared so quickly and in so many different ways. Our ground beef consists exclusively of beef and contains no additives. This lets you decide on the seasoning and texture yourself. Depending on the region, ground beef is also called “Rinderhacktes”; in Austria, it’s known as “Faschiertes.”

The ground beef comes in two 250-gram portions, each packed in a casing. This is convenient if you only need a small amount: simply thaw one portion and leave the second in the freezer. For a meal serving two to four people, use both portions together.

Ground beef for Bolognese, burgers, and more

Ground beef has a richer, more savory flavor than mixed ground meat and adds a distinctive beefy note to sauces and stews. At the same time, it’s versatile enough for quick everyday meals. Ground beef is popular for dishes such as:

• Spaghetti Bolognese, lasagna, and other pasta sauces
• Chili con carne and tacos
• Meatballs, patties, and meatloaf
• Homemade burgers and smash burgers
• Köfte and grilled meat skewers
• Stuffed bell peppers, zucchini, or cabbage rolls
• Casseroles and Shepherd's Pie

Ground beef for Bolognese and chili con carne

Ground beef really shines in slow-simmered sauces. For a classic Bolognese, first brown the ground beef thoroughly before adding vegetables, tomatoes, and wine if desired. Then let the sauce simmer for a long time over low heat. This allows the roasted flavors and tomatoes to blend into a creamy, rich sauce. The same principle applies to chili con carne, except that beans, bell peppers, and chili peppers take center stage alongside the meat.

Burgers and Meatballs Made with Ground Beef

For burgers, shape the ground beef directly from the package into patties, or on days when you’re in a hurry, reach for our pre-formed burger patties made from Simmental, Charolais, or Wagyu beef. A burger topped with cheese and braised red onions beautifully showcases how well the robust beef flavor harmonizes with sweet notes.

For meatballs and meatloaf, knead the ground beef with an egg, a soaked roll, or breadcrumbs and onions—but only for as long as necessary, since kneading for too long will make the mixture tough. When seasoning with salt, pepper, and other spices of your choice, you have complete freedom, as the ground beef is delivered unseasoned. For burger patties, it’s best to sprinkle salt on the surface just before cooking.

How much ground beef per person?

As a rule of thumb, use about 100 to 150 g of ground beef per person for dishes like Bolognese or chili, and 150 to 200 g per patty for burgers, depending on the desired size. So, two 250-g portions are enough for a Bolognese serving about four people.

Ground beef, mixed ground meat, or ground pork?

You’ll find various types of ground meat in stores, which differ in taste, fat content, and use. The following maximum fat content values are based on the German guidelines for meat and meat products. You can always find the specific value for a product in the nutrition facts label.

Whether ground beef or mixed ground meat works better depends mainly on the dish. Ground beef is particularly well-suited when the meat flavor should take center stage. For köfte or Middle Eastern meat skewers, you can also mix it with ground lamb to give the skewers their own distinctive, spicy flavor.

Properly Thawing Frozen-Fresh Ground Beef

Since Kreutzers delivers ground beef “fresh-from-the-freezer,” you can store it in the freezer at a temperature of at least minus 18 °C until you’re ready to prepare it, ensuring you always have a supply on hand.

Thaw Gently in the Refrigerator

The gentlest way to thaw ground beef is in the refrigerator. Place the desired portion in the refrigerator about 24 hours before cooking, preferably on a plate or in a bowl to catch any meat juices that may seep out. Do not let ground beef thaw at room temperature. Use thawed ground beef promptly and do not refreeze it raw.

Hygiene When Handling Ground Meat

Because it’s ground, ground meat has a very large surface area where bacteria can easily spread. Therefore, make sure your hands, knives, and cutting boards are clean, and keep raw meat separate from foods that won’t be cooked.

How to cook ground beef: tips for success

1. Searing ground beef properly

For sauces and stir-fries, sear the ground beef over high heat in a well-preheated skillet or heavy pot. Don’t add all the meat at once to a pan that’s too small, or it will cool down and the meat will release water instead of browning. Let it sear for a few minutes without stirring until browned, and only then break it up with a spatula to the desired crumb size.

2. Cooking Through: The Right Core Temperature

You should always cook ground beef thoroughly. For ground beef, a core temperature of at least 70 °C for at least two minutes is recommended. For meatballs, meatloaf, and thick burgers, the safest way to check this is with a meat thermometer, since it’s difficult to tell when they’re done just by looking at the outside.

Buy ground beef online

If you want to order ground beef online, the fresh-frozen variety is a convenient option: you’ll always have a supply in your freezer and can thaw only the amount you need at any given time. Buying ground beef is especially worthwhile if you’re ordering beef steaks or roasts anyway and want to restock your supply for everyday cooking at the same time.