Frequently Asked Questions

Have a question about our Pound of Ground® products or want to learn more? We’re here to help. Find answers below or contact us for more information.

Products

What is Pound of Ground Crumbles® Frozen Uncooked Beef?

Pound of Ground Crumbles® is 100% Pure, all natural ground beef. Pound of Ground Crumbles® is designed to cook straight from frozen and into your favorite dishes that use crumbled ground beef – like tacos or spaghetti sauce.

What is new Pound of Ground® Burger Thins?

Pound of Ground® Burger Thins beef patties are 100% pure, All Natural*beef patties that cook from frozen in a skillet or on the grill in 5-6 minutes— no thawing or planning required! Each 1 lb. box contains six 2.6-ounce patties, the ideal portion size for kids, adults with smaller appetites, or those who love to stack their burgers. Keep a box or two of Burger Thins in your freezer for burger night any time, a protein topper for salads, or satisfying beef bowls in minutes.

Are Pound of Ground® products precooked?

No, Pound of Ground® products are uncooked (raw) ground beef, just like you would normally use.

Why do Pound of Ground Crumbles® cook so quickly? Does it really cook as fast as fresh ground beef?

The secret is in the clever design of Pound of Ground Crumbles! Simply put, it cooks quickly because small things cook faster than big things! Instead of being a solid brick, or block, of ground beef, each of the individually-frozen ground beef crumbled pieces is loose inside the bag.

Why do Pound of Ground® Burger Thins beef patties cook so quickly?

Each Pound of Ground® Burger Thins beef patty is 2.6-ounces, which is thinner than your average frozen patty so it cooks more quickly.

How fresh are the products?

Great question! Our fresh ground beef is quick-frozen at peak quality!

What is natural beef?

Natural beef is defined by the USDA as minimally processed, with no artificial ingredients or added colors.

Preparation

What is the proper temperature to cook ground beef?

Cook ground beef to the safe minimum internal temperature of 160°F (71.1°C). Use a food thermometer to check that it has reached a safe internal temperature.

Do I have to cook Pound of Ground® products before using it in a recipe?

Yes. Both Pound of Ground® Burger Thins™ and Crumbles® should be cooked thoroughly to 160°F. Cook Pound of Ground® Burger Thins™ in a skillet, on a grill, or in an air fryer, and brown Pound of Ground Crumbles® before using them to make tacos, spaghetti, or your favorite dish!

Can I use some of the crumbled pieces of Pound of Ground Crumbles® and keep the rest frozen? Can I just use a portion?

Of course! A great feature of Pound of Ground Crumbles® ground beef is that you can use as much or as little as you want. Place uncooked beef in a resealable bag and put it in the freezer. Or, after cooking, it is safe to re-freeze a portion of the cooked ground beef.

Can I use Pound of Ground Crumbles® to make meatloaf, hamburgers or meatballs?

Pound of Ground Crumbles® were designed for favorite dishes that use crumbled meat like spaghetti sauce, tacos, chili, casseroles, and sloppy joes. For hamburgers, use Pound of Ground® Burger Thins™, of course!

Can I freeze my finished dish that has cooked Crumbles® in it?

Yes! Cook the ground beef as you normally would in the recipe, and freeze a dish as you usually would. Pro tip: When reheating casseroles that have ground beef, be sure the internal temperature reaches 160°F (73.9°C).

Freezing & Storage

Why is Pound of Ground Crumbles® frozen together?

Fluctuations in temperature can cause the small pieces to soften and stick together. Gently squeeze the sides of the bag to break up larger pieces. Any larger pieces will break apart during cooking: in a covered skillet at medium-high heat, stir to break up any remaining larger pieces. Reminder: Cook ground beef to the minimum internal temperature of 160°F.”

How do I store Pound of Ground® at home?

When you get home, freeze Pound of Ground® products as fast as possible to maintain their quality. Store products at 0°F or below.

I thawed Pound of Ground® products… are they still good?

Pound of Ground® products should be used within 3 days of thawing for the best quality, taste, and experience.

In accordance with USDA Freezing and Food Safety Guidelines, meats that are refrigerator cold, partly frozen (solid), or frozen can be placed into the freezer for later use. You should immediately discard any meat that’s above 40°F or meat that is exactly 40°F that may have been so for more than 2 hours.

What about ice crystals?

Slight fluctuations in temperature during transportation or storage may cause Pound of Ground® to thaw slightly, and form ice crystals. This is okay, and not the same as freezer burn.

What about freezer burn?

According to the Food Safety and Inspection Service, freezer burn does not make food unsafe, merely dry in spots. It appears as grayish-brown leathery spots and is caused by air coming in contact with the surface of the food. Remove freezer-burned portions either before or after cooking the food. Heavily freezer-burned foods may have to be discarded for quality reasons.

How do I defrost safely?

Pound of Ground® products were designed to go right from the freezer to the skillet, grill, or air fryer. But, if you need to thaw, we recommend defrosting Pound of Ground Crumbles® or Burger Thins™ overnight. It’s best to plan ahead for slow, safe thawing in the refrigerator. However, in accordance with USDA Freezing and Food Safety Guidelines, there are three safe ways to thaw food:

  1. In the refrigerator, or
  2. In cold water, or
  3. In the microwave

Read more here.

Recycle

Is the packaging recyclable?

Check your local requirements to confirm that the paperboard sleeve is recyclable. It likely is!

What is the proper way to dispose of grease?

Never put fats, oils, or grease down your sink drain. Beef drippings/grease can be recycled at your local recycling center, or you can dispose of them in your trash can. Let the drippings/grease cool before you dispose of them.

Find Pound of Ground® in the frozen meat section

Add Crumbles® and Burger Thins™ to your freezer for real homemade dinners — with no need to thaw before cooking or planning ahead.

Where to Buy