Budget Helper - Marvellous Mince
With First Grade Beef Mince locked down to $16.95 per kg for the month of July in our Everyday Great Price specials, it’s time to stock up, freeze and cook with this versatile and budget-friendly ingredient.
What makes mince “First Grade”?
It’s mince which is high quality, lean and often made from the chuck cut, with good flavour and about an 80% lean - 20% fat ratio. This fat content keeps the mince moist and flavourful. It’s ideal for meatballs, Bolognese and burgers.
Mince storage tips
• Always cook mince by the use-by date.
• Raw mince can be frozen for 2-3 months.
• Cook mince as soon as possible after defrosting.
• Always thaw frozen mince in the fridge overnight on the lowest shelf to stop any juices leaking onto other food.
• You can defrost mince in the microwave if you are going to cook it right away.
A freezing and defrosting hack
When freezing mince, put it in a large Ziplock bag and flatten it as much as possible – a rolling pin can help with this. When it’s time to defrost, it will thaw much more quickly than if it was frozen in a brick shape.
Mince beyond hamburgers and Bolognese
While we love a good burger and Bolognese is a family go-to, there is so much more you can do with beef mince. Here’s some inspiration from Hill Street’s recipe collection.
Greek Keftedes with Mediterranean Couscous Salad
Loaded Beef and Bacon Roasties
Tortilla Burrito Bowls with Chipotle Cream
You can search our recipe collection for more inspiration on how to cook beef mince!