DIY Mince Meat

Icemaiden

I'm going to have a go at doing my own mince meat but which cuts of meat is best to use, thinking in terms of cost and quality? I will be using it for burgers, spag bol, cottage pies etc...My O/H is funny when it comes to shop bought mince as hes convinced they throw any old meat in it.

Many Thanks.

Iguana

When I used to do this I used to use braising steak; I suppose beef skirt would be ok as well, I used to cut off excess fat and use an old hand mincer before I got a food processor. That was before extra lean mince.

thriftlady_2

An obliging butcher will mince a cut of meat for you for free.

skylight

I tend to buy Braising steak and chop that up in my food processor.

At least you know whats going in. Allthough, I have found that I use a little more beef that way than buying cheaper mince. But you can tell the difference in the amount of fat produced and taste.

I try to balance using more beef, by adding more veg.


And I too am convinced that they chuck almost anything in!!!!!

soba

I bought a 1950's mincer from ebay - my best buy yet. I used to work in a butchers and it's true that unscrupulous traders will use unsold meat in their mince. If you've got a good butcher you've nothing to worry about. Personally I'd rather mince my own. I use chuck steak (braising) but I don't cut off all the fat, just leave a little bit on for extra taste. The good think about getting your own mincer is that you can mince other meats as well, lamb for moussaka, pork for piggy shepherds pie etc.

I found that if I used my food processor it shredded the meat instead of mincing it and we found it a bit tough.

Zed42

Well after much procrastination on my part (and DH's ... oh ok, mainly mine, but y'know how it goes!) I have finally bought the mincer / sausage-maker attachment for my Kenwood.

I now need some advice ... which cuts of beef do you find mince best for things like:

Lasagne / cottage pie
Chilli / bolognaise
Burgers

Also, lamb ..... for moussaka

Also, pork for erm ... pork dishes ...

I have a local farm where I get my beef from and I can specify any cut I'd like in advance ... but never having bought meat to mince, I'm not sure what's best!

Many thanks in advance ....

trying-very-trying

I'm sure someone will know, but why not just ask your friendly farm butcher what he would recommend?

Zed42

Thanks ... I will ask her ..... but I'd like to sound an ickle bit knowledgeable before I do ... oh and I'm just excited at the prospect! So if anyone can recommend I'll be happy to hear

gt568

I mince hand of pork for my sausages and mince, but pretty much any cut of beef or prok will mince.

lauren_1

Hi, does anyone still own a meat mincer?

I was wondering if it would be cheaper (and nicer) to buy a load of mishaped and off cut meat at the farmers market, then mine it our selves.

We go through 1-2 packets of mine a week and i know its not that expensive i do like to have mince without gristle. Most beef mince recently has been full of it.

Thanks

Penelope_Penguin

Hi, there :beer: I'll add this to the existing thread where people discuss mincing their own meat.

Penny. x