I have been looking for canned hamburger (I know it sounds gross), but would like to have some on hand for casseroles, soups, etc. I am unable to can it myself (don't have all the suppliies or budget).

I appreciate any links to sites you may have seen. Thank you in advance for any help.

-- Sammie Davis (sammie0nospam@hotmail.com), August 19, 1999

Answers

I have found commercially packed taco filling (hamburger and TVP) which is pretty good, in 3 pound cans.

What I'm doing with hamburger, however, is making "hamburger rocks" -- i.e. dehydrated fried hamburger.

Fry well done, drain grease, wash under hot running water, add seasonings, fry and drain again, put in dehydrator until it is completely dry and crumbly, double bag in zip locks, thence into food grade plastic pail. It's a great convenience food, simply add to simmering tomato sauce.

-- robert waldrop (rmwj@soonernet.com), August 19, 1999.

Sammie, I understand that you do not have the supplies, but the budget for canning your own meat would be far less than buying anything canned by others. I canned my own chicken for less than $1 per pound but it costs $3.49 per pound in the store. Ask around for someone who might have a pressure canner that they would either let you use or help you with the project. Your results will be better this way as you know the quality and can season it the way you want.

-- smfdoc (smfdoc@aol.com), August 19, 1999.

I just found a great resource! I talked to Bruce at www.cartoonstrip.com - he sells canned meats (great stuff too!) I bought some beef from him and asked if he had hamburger. He says there is not as much demand for that as there is for the others but he will pick some up from the factory for anyone wanting to order.

It is the best price I have seen: 12/12 oz cans $49

Beef, turkey, chicken, hamburger - He also auctions cases on ebay, they start at a slightly lower price $45, but so far only has auctioned beef.

I am not affiliated with this company in any way, just bought some great tasting beef from him.

-- Sammie Davis (sammie0nospam@hotmail.com), August 20, 1999.

I have found that buying boned and skinless chicken thighs on sale (at 69 cents a lb.) in 10 lb. bags, is a good buy. The thigh meat looks just like white meat when canned. And, IMHO thighs are more moist and flavorfull than chicken breasts. But, then again ... we all have different tastes.

All you need to can is a blue water bath kettle $6.00 and time. It does the same thing as a pressure canner. $75.00.

Most of the things you will need you can buy at yard sales. Ask questions - most people are glad to help. buy a Kerr canning book and go for it! Especially the old Kerr canning books. I don't like the new ones quite as much ... they talk about a lot more than I need to know ... and can be confusing.

I've been canning for over 55 years. [But, I'm still learning to type and am getting some help.]

I've been very impressed with how helpful everyone has been, and would like to contribute. Cheryl's going to get me typing software, so I can learn to type. This took me a loooooooooong time to type. And, I still needed help with the editing.

-- Jan Morningstar (Ckufta@internetcds.com), August 20, 1999.

For those who "just want to buy it" not build it, my local Bee Hive store has freeze dried sausage for too much a #10 can. Sorry no hamburger but it is ground meat.

Email me if you want info..

-- helium (heliumavid@yahoo.com), August 20, 1999.

They have it here: http://www.pleasanthillgrain.com/canned_meat.html

That is, if ground beef = hambuerger.

-- Preparer (nospam@myaddress.com), August 21, 1999.

I guess I will throw in my opinion. I would not can meat in anything BUT a pressure canner. They can be had at auctions and yard sales. Parts are available at good hardware stores. As far as getting the "old canning books," I would advise on getting a new one. As with everything, methods change, and it is best to be up to the minute.

-- David A Jones (jonesey@hotmail.com), August 25, 1999.

i have to go with david on this one.......please don't can meat or anything low acid without a pressure cooker.....it takes that extra heat provided by the pressure to make sure the bacteria are killed

haven't tried the "hamburger rocks" that robert suggested yet.....but i intend to! i've heard nothing but good reports from everyone who has tried this method

you can find dehydraters for next to nothing now-a-days....or make your own....plenty of plans out there on the net....i have a "bought" ronco brand, and one made with a little plywood and two 100w lightbulbs...and both work equally well

and then you'll have the added value of being able to dehydrate other things such as veggies and fruit that you find on sale

jan.....you may have been canning for over 55 years, but if you've been canning meat with a water bath, then you've just plain been lucky

and jan.....you're doing just fine! as far as i could tell.....you were typing just as fast as i could read : )

andrea

ps....you can find TONS of information on the web having to do with dehydrating or canning......just do a search, or email me if you can't find anything

-- andrea (mebsmebs@hotmail.com), August 26, 1999.

I did not find hamburger, but at Dollar general they have small 5 oz cans of White chicken for $1.00. Also cheep cans of chillie and other meat and juice products. I am going to look at Family Dollar next.

I can a lot of beef, chicken, pork, (hot dogs) & pork broth, beef broath, and chicken broath. in Pressure canner. Bargin stores are one of the best places to find some canned goods.

Beth

-- Beth (craig@icu2.net), October 25, 1999.