ground beef thawing on my counter

[gregokdisney]

For the record, I always thaw meat on the counter and have lived to tell about it.

My suggestion is porcupine meatballs - google it or look it up at allrecipes.com. There are tons of recipes out there. My kids love them.

 

[starann]

Wow, I need glasses, I thought you wrote "thawing meat on my COMPUTER"

I thought, "Wow, that won't be good for her computer"

 

[rflorek]

Just an FYI from the USDA: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Fact_Sheets/Big_Thaw/index.asp

I know some of you said that you have always thawed meat on the counter and never had a problem, it only takes one time.....

 

[PrincessParty]

I made American stir fry last night. Brown ground beef, drain. Add the flavor packet from Ramen Noodles. Add a package of frozen veggies. (I use stir fry frozen veggies.) Serve over cooked Ramen Noodles. I do believe I read the recipe here on the Dis.

 

[mommy2_3]

i made nachos the other night. velvetta cheese, ground beef, rotel. just melted the cheese and rotel in the microwave. after you brown the ground beef. then add it all together. so yummy!!

 

[pixiewings71]

My Mom thawed meat on the counter, I do it in the winter but not in the summer. It's too hot in the summer. But I'm with everyone else, if I thaw it in the fridge it takes 2 days to thaw out! I do use the microwave defrost setting but only if I'm doing something like tacos where the meat will be crumbly anyway, no matter what I do my micro always cooks the edges so you can't use the meat for something like hamburgers. And I never thaw meat until it's warm or room temp.....my meat is always still frozen in the middle when I thaw it out. LOL It usually only sits for an hour or two before I need to cook it. I can't plan that far ahead either. LOL

OP how about taco lasagne? You use soft corn torillas in place of noodles, salsa in place of tomato sauce and taco cheese instead of ricotta/mozzarella. Just layer it and cook it like you do a lasagne but make sure you cook the meat first.

 

[dawson5]

in family circle a few years ago, they had about ten recipes that you could make in under thirty minutes. One is meatballs. They aren't typical meatballs in red sauce though.

You make meatballs almost as usual (egg, bread crumbs, salt and italian seasoning), bake. Then you make a roux add beef broth, sliced onions, mushrooms and italian seasoning. Serve over egg noodles.

My favorite is still home made sloppy joes.

 

[Gigi22]

Here's my ground beef casserole--just made a batch on Friday! Crumble 1 lb. ground beef in a skillet, add 1 c. chopped onion. Cook over med. heat until beef is browned and onion is soft. Add 1 tin cream of tomato soup, 2 oz. cream cheese (1/4 of an 8 oz. pkg.), 1/2 tsp. salt, ground pepper to taste, 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce, and 1 c. sliced mushrooms--fresh or canned. Cook and stir until cheese is melted and sauce is smooth. Stir in 1/2 of a 12 oz. pkg. med. egg noodles, cooked and strained. Pour into an 8 in. square or round baking dish or casserole. Sprinkle with 1/2 c. Corn Flakes or sliced almonds, and paprika to garnish. Bake at 275 F. for 45 min., or heat in microwave on High for 10 min., or until heated through.

 

[sk8jdgca]

Well I assume you have already ate but here is my secret never spoken of before recipe for GLUCK

Brown the beef with some onion soup mix

then in a large pot dump
browned beef,
not cooked noodles (egg one work best)-fill the pot 3/4 full
2 cans of mushroom soup
2 cans of water
1 can of mushrooms with the juice
1/2 block of cream cheese
1 couple tbsp of cheese whiz
some more onion soup mix



bring to a boil then simmer until the noodles are cooked just before you take it off the heat-add in some sour cream

 

[jmatlick]

Wow, I need glasses, I thought you wrote "thawing meat on my COMPUTER"

I thought, "Wow, that won't be good for her computer"

Don't feel so bad, I did too...and I'm wearing my glasses!

 

[leebee]

Try this... it's from Taste of Home Best Church Supper Recipes and makes enough to freeze half and cook the other half for dinner! This is really tasty, took it to a pot luck without having made it for us first and everyone raved. I was REALLY glad to have the 2nd casserole at home!


2lbs ground meat (we use turkey but anything will do...)
2c chopped celery
1/4 cup onion
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 8oz can sliced water chestnuts, chopped up
1 8oz can sliced mushrooms
1 c chopped broccoli (thawed- however you wish!)
1/4 c. soy sauce
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 cup sour cream
8oz wide noodles, cooked and drained

Brown meat, drain, add celery and onion and cook til tender. Stir in everything else EXCEPT sour cream and noodles; simmer about 10 mins.
Remove from heat, add sour cream and noodles. Put half into a storage container and freezw. Put remaining in a greased, 2qt. baking dish. Cover and bake at 350 for 30-35 mins or until bubbly.

FYI! Not too worried about the government guidelines, even with advanced degrees in food science. Nana thawed meat on the counter, mom thawed meat on the counter, I thaw meat on the counter. Nobody's died yet. There are caveats. Food micro class tells me that for bacteria to grow, not only does meat have to be completely thawed through and come to above-room temp throughout, but needs to sit on the counter for a minimum of 4 hours after reaching this state, before bacteria will multiply. I am willing to take my chances. Of course, on meatloaf night my mom used to give us little "treats" of raw burger, and uncooked meatloaf mix (yes, with egg in it), and although I don't do this anymore, I confess to enjoying it! We also ALL enjoy cookie dough and licking the beaters/bowl from brownies and cakes- not too worried about raw eggs, either... HORRORS

 

[lovesmurfs]

Counter-thawer here, too!

Family's favorite is the Hungry Jack Beef Casserole

Shepherd's Pie is a favorite as well.

 

[jfoofj]

Hi there~ Thanks for all the great recipes! I am looking forward to trying them. My neighbor gave me some seasonings she bought from Tastefully Simple to try and I used Onion Onion and tomato soup and made meatloaf. It was pretty good.

As for counter (or computer ) thawing.... I know, I know. I just hate thawing in the microwave and it takes so long in the fridge, the meat would still be frozen by the time I was ready to make dinner. I usually plan further out so I am better prepared, we all lived and feel fine today. My mom ALWAYS thawed on the counter, and we never got sick, but I do agree that it is safer to thaw in the fridge.

My goal is to have each weeks menu planned out so I thaw in a timely fashion!

 

[Panna]

I thaw my meat in cold water in the sink.

My little recipie to contribute:

1 lb ground meat
1 can red kidney beans (drained)
1 can corn (drained)
1 can diced tomatos (drained - can omit depending on preference)
2 cups of cooked rice.
Curry (to taste)
Salt & Pepper (to taste)

Brown the meat then drain. Add in kidney beans, corn, tomato, rice and spices. Cook until hot.

I guess it's more of a rice goulash instead of a pasta goulash, but for some reason it's a favorite, and still a hit for left overs.

 

[disny_luvr]

I don't know what this is called, but I make it often. It isn't the healthiest meal, but my kids sure do love it.

Brown 1-1 1/2 pounds of ground beef; drain
Mix with 1 can cream of chicken soup; spread on the bottom of 9x13 pan
Add 1 can of your child's favorite vegetable (I use corn) on top of mixture
Put sliced cheese on top (I think it is about 6-8 slices)
Put 1 bag frozen tater tots on top; bake at 350 degrees for about 30 mins. or until cheese is bubbly

 

[Panna]

We do something like that too.

In a glass baking dish layer..

1 lb uncooked ground meat (seasoned to taste, usually I don't add anything),
1 can Cream of Celery Soup - spread over the top
top off tiny tater tots - placed so not much of the soup shows.

Bake at 350 degree's until done, usually about 40 minutes.

 

[PixieDustandEeyore]

It's okay to Thaw on the counter as long as you put the package on the plate and leave it in a sealed package..nothing is coming in or out And if you are worried about bacteria on the counter or plate... disinfectant wipe things afterwards

 

[njcarita]

We do something like that too.

In a glass baking dish layer..

1 lb uncooked ground meat (seasoned to taste, usually I don't add anything),
1 can Cream of Celery Soup - spread over the top
top off tiny tater tots - placed so not much of the soup shows.

Bake at 350 degree's until done, usually about 40 minutes.

I actually have this in my crockpot cooking right now...
except I used soy crumbles instead of ground beef and made my own "Cream soup " ....... keeping my fingers crossed that it tastes good when done...

 

[disneysteve]

It's okay to Thaw on the counter as long as you put the package on the plate and leave it in a sealed package..nothing is coming in or out

Please read the link in post #23. It is NOT okay to thaw meat on the counter or in hot water.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

This all came about one night when I did not have time to wait for a meatloaf to cook. Since it was not your typical burger we called them garage burgers since they contain a little of this and a little of that

I take a pound of hamburger, (I am only feeding two people so adjust your amts accordingly), and break it up into a bowl.

I add to it: (keep in mind I eyeball the amt of my ingredients)
Some bold A1 sauces- about 1 cup
Palm size amount of chopped onion
2-3 tbs of relish
Salt & Pepper
I also add a pinch dill weed to it sometimes.

Now the mixture will be very wet to form into patties so I add plain bread crumbs to it until I have a slightly wet mixture. I add the bread crumbs a little at a time till I feel I have the right consistance.

Form into patties and cook in a skillet.
I usually ended up with 5 patties. You can serve these on buns just as you would a hamburger or on a plate with rice/mash potatoe's and a veggie.

.