Using a Dehydrator to Make Shelf Stable Ground Beef
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To see the Excalibur dehydrator I currently use, click here. For a complete collection of dehydrators offered by Amazon, click here.
Hey Everyone! Thank you for all of the wonderful feedback on my Youtube Dehydrating videos! I’ve made another one for you this week on how I dehydrate ground beef in order to save money and space in my freezer! Dehydrated ground beef is shelf stable and rehydrates like a charm (I can’t tell the difference!).
Be sure and watch until the end to see what my ground beef looks like once it is rehydrated! Links to products I use in the video are below.
Subscribe to my YouTube channel so you don’t miss future videos by clicking here.
Dehydrating is a wonderful way to preserve ground beef while leaving your freezer space free!
Other videos in this series:
- Making your own instant rice from bulk rice
- Dehydrating to save money and freezer space
- Affording groceries during times of rapid price increases
More money saving tips posts:
- Money Saving Tip: Rice, the Ultimate Budget Extender
- Money Saving Tip: Go Bananas!
- Money Saving Tip: Rethink Bulk
- Get 8 Meals From 4 Pounds of Ground Beef
LINKS TO PRODUCTS BELOW:
**I am using an Excalibur 9 tray dehydrator with a timer. You can read more about it by clicking here.
**The dehydrator fruit leather sheets I use (on the bottom, to catch the tiny bits) can be purchased at 9 for around $10 by clicking here.
**To vacuum seal my mason jars, I use a Foodsaver (Click here for the one I have) with a Wide Mouth Mason Jar attachment. I’ll do a video on both of those soon.
To see the Excalibur dehydrator I currently use, click here. For a complete collection of dehydrators offered by Amazon, click here.
you have made me a believer!
thank you christy!
Hi christy! Great video on making shelf stable beef! I just wanted to mention something that I ran into when I learned to do this. When you rinse the beef you really need hot water and it doesn’t hurt to use some drain cleaner In your sink after rinsing a few batches of the beef. The fat that rinses off the meet can build up in the sink pipes over time and if you have a septic tank will also clog your lines.
Thanks so much for the video, looking forward to more!
Angela
Dear Christy,
I’ve used my dehydrator more in the last two weeks than I have in the two years I’ve had it!!!
I’ve done your vegetables, your rice and a HUGE can of hominy. We like hominy in soup and this makes it so convenient. It reconstitutes in the soup and is so good.
Will be doing the ground beef next.
Thanks so much
JIll
I can’t wait to try this with ground beef. I already dehydrated all of my frozen vegetables & leftover celery and I love it. I have even already used some of it. I and my freezer love this. I also have to do the rice too. Thank you so much Christy.
My only problem is that I have one of the older round dehydrators and it holds so much less than yours. But, it still works!
I love my Excalibur dehydrator!!! Mostly I use it to make chicken jerky for my dogs. LOL After so many dogs got sick from jerky from China I thought the investment in the dehydrator was well worth the money. I was not aware you did dehydrating recipes. I know now and will check all the recipes.
I put parchment paper in the bottom of my Excalibur to catch the drips!
Thanks Christy!!!
Parchment paper!! Excellent idea, thanks!!
Love this video! Question…when sealing the dried beef in Mason jars, how do you seal them? Thanks for all the helpful tips, I’m thoroughly enjoying them!!!
To vacuum seal my mason jars, I use a Foodsaver (Click here for the one I have http://amzn.to/1rtmpU5 ) with a Wide Mouth Mason Jar attachment ( http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00005TN7H/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00005TN7H&linkCode=as2&tag=soutplat-20 ). I’ll do a video on both of those soon. . I’ll do a video on both of those soon.
Thanks, Christy for that information! I have a Foodsaver and need to get the jar attachments. I have some oxygen absorber packets and wonder if they would do the trick until I get some jar lid attachments? I HATE I missed you in Asheville last week! We are only about 90 miles away but everyone in my house has been sick with the cold/sinus crud and I couldn’t make it. Thanks for all of your inspiration!
I think the oxygen absorbers would work just fine but I haven’t tried it. Let me know if you do!! I hate that you were unable to make it and hope that everyone is feeling better and on the mend!!
I have put oxygen absorbers in the jars with my dehydrated hamburger and the jars actually seal themselves just like in pressure canning. Wonderful!
I did the same with dehydrated chicken and ham.
where in the world do you buy oxygen absorbers? This might be a dumb question but I have never heard of them. Thanks.
I ordered my oxygen absorbers from Amazon.com. They are used a lot by “preppers”, people who like to be prepared for anything.
Hi Christy, I’m new to your website, but have learned so much from you! I LOVE your dehydrator series and am looking forward to the next one! Let me say you really outdid yourself on the ground beef one! I told my hubs ” check this out! This is the best thing since shredded cheese! :)” He got a good laugh, you gotta love him!! I have a dehydrator like yours only smaller. We bought it 10 years ago to make our own venison jerky. I do have a question. If i want a lb. of meat how much dehydrated meat do i use? Can i do this with sausage? How about venison? My hubs a big hunter and tho i prefer beef i have found ways to like the venison too. Keep up the great work and amazing recipes! God bless! Joy
1 cup dehydrated ground beef = 1 pound fresh ground beef.
Good morning, Christy,
We’re still considering taking the plunge and purchasing a dehydrator. In your latest video on drying ground beef, could you do onions at the same time? Thanks for another great and informative video! P.S. I noticed we have the same loaf pan from your Italian Meatloaf recipe!
Cindy
You sure can! I might oughta warn ya though, whenever I dehydrate onions or peppers, I plug my dehydrator up outside on the back porch. If you don’t, the smell seems to permeate your house for DAYS! 😉
I actually have a Foodsaver machine, but I buy generic bags for A LOT cheaper online!!! eBay is a great place to find all the sizes that you are looking for.