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.

POG beef crumbles out of freezer

Product

What is Pound of Ground® Crumbles® Frozen Uncooked Beef?

Pound of Ground Crumbles is 100% Pure, all natural ground beef. It’s one ingredient, that’s it! Isn’t it amazing? 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.

Is it precooked?

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

Why does it 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 tray.

How fresh is the product?

Great question! Fresh, ground beef Crumbles are quick-frozen so your ground beef is 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 before using it in a recipe?

Yes. Brown Pound of Ground Crumbles in a skillet before using it to make tacos, spaghetti, or your favorite dish!

Can I use some of the crumbled pieces 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. Put the remaining, uncooked ground beef in a sealed bag back in the freezer and reuse later. Or, after cooking, it is safe to re-freeze a portion of the cooked ground beef.

Can I make meatloaf, hamburgers or meatballs?

Pound of Ground was designed for favorite dishes that use crumbled meat like spaghetti sauce, tacos, chili, casseroles, and sloppy joes.

Can I freeze my end dish?

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. Give the tray a shake to break any pieces apart. 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 Crumbles as fast as possible to maintain its quality. Store ground beef crumbles at 0° F or below.

I thawed Pound of Ground Crumbles… is it still good?

Pound of Ground Crumbles 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 was designed to go right from the freezer to the skillet. But, if you need to thaw, we recommend defrosting Pound of Ground Crumbles 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 the local requirements where you live! The paperboard sleeve is likely recyclable. The tray, if washed and rinsed and clean of food residue, is potentially recyclable.

If not, here is a quick #hack: use the tray as a receptacle for any drippings you drain off the meat after cooking. See more below!

What is the proper way to dispose of grease?

Dispose grease in your trash can. Like Pound of Ground, it’s three easy steps, like 1-2-3!

  1. Let the drippings or grease cool
  2. Once cool, pour the grease into the tray that can be thrown away
  3. Keep this tray in your fridge, and when it is full, place it in a plastic bag to prevent leakage and then throw it in the garbage

Find it in the frozen meat section

Add Pound of Ground to your freezer for real homemade dinners — with no need to thaw before cooking or planning ahead.
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