Steak Night to Taco Tuesday: Your Local Beef Game Plan

Our Beef Butcher Boxes w/10 pounds of local beef divided as:

You can make a variety of dishes, and it can last a family of 4 about 7 to 10 meals, depending on portion sizes and how creatively you stretch the meat. Here’s a breakdown of what you can cook and how to portion out our local beef:

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🍔 Ground Local Beef (2–4 lbs)

• Ideas:
• Hamburgers (1/4 lb per patty = 8 patties = 1–2 meals)
• Tacos or taco salad (1 lb for 4–5 tacos = 1 meal)
• Pasta with meat sauce or baked ziti (1 lb makes 4 servings)
• Meatballs (1 lb = ~16 meatballs = 1 meal)
• Stuffed peppers, shepherd’s pie, or curry
• Stretching Tip: Add beans, rice, or vegetables to extend quantity.

➡️ Estimated meals: 3–4

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🍲 Stew Meat (2 lbs, or more ground beef)

• Ideas:
• Classic beef stew (with potatoes/carrots)
• Beef curry or chili
• Slow-cooked beef and gravy over rice
• Stretching Tip: Serve with rice, noodles, or bread to fill out the meal.

➡️ Estimated meals: 2–3

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🥩 Primal Steaks (3 lbs)

• Ideas:
• Pan-seared or grilled with sides (1 steak can serve 1–2 people)
• Sliced thin for steak salad or sandwiches
• Steak and eggs breakfast/brunch
• Stretching Tip: Slice and mix into dishes instead of serving whole cuts.

➡️ Estimated meals: 2–3

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🔥 Grilling Steaks (3 lbs)

• Ideas:
• Fajitas or stir-fry
• Steak skewers or kebabs with vegetables
• Marinated grilled steak slices with rice or salad
• Stretching Tip: Serve sliced in wraps, rice bowls, or noodle dishes.

➡️ Estimated meals: 2–3

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🍽️ How Long Will It Last?

For a family of 4, here’s a rough estimate:

• If served as the main protein in a meal: 7–10 meals
• If stretched with sides or used in mixed dishes: Up to 12 meals

If you’re eating beef 3 times a week, this could last 3–4 weeks.

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🧊 Storage Tips:

For best quality, keep your meats frozen until you’re ready to cook, then thaw as needed.

• 🔹 Raw Meat
  Refrigerator (Uncooked):
  Ground beef: 1–2 days
  Stew meat & steaks: 3–5 days
  Freezer (Uncooked):
  All beef cuts: Best used within 6–12 months
  Store in airtight bags or wrap tightly to prevent freezer burn
  
• 🔹 Cooked Meat
  Refrigerator (Cooked):
  Eat within 3–4 days
  Store in sealed containers, labeled with date
  Freezer (Cooked):
  Good for 2–3 months
  Portion before freezing for easy reheating
  
• 🔹 Defrosting Tips
  Best method: Thaw in the refrigerator overnight
  Faster method: Place sealed meat in cold water (change water every 30 min)
  Avoid: Defrosting at room temperature (can lead to bacterial growth)
  
• 🔹 Reheating Leftovers
  Heat to 165°F (74°C) to ensure safety
  Add moisture (broth or sauce) when reheating to keep meat tender

Supporting local beef means fresher, more sustainable meat raised with care. You help local ranchers, reduce environmental impact, and keep our island food system strong—all while enjoying delicious, high-quality beef.