Basics Mince?

dbelle

How different is the basics beef mince from the other stuff?

We normally buy the lean steak mince which is £1.10 (sainsburys) for 250g but the basics mince is 75p for 400g.

Any opinions?

Nelski

Personally wouldnt touch it with a barge pole:eek: - dread to think what is in it and the fat levels are probably way higher. Would rather pad out more expensive meat with pulses/beans/chick peas whatever then it will go further. Having said that maybe its like the brand/non brand issue and is the same

andipandi_2

Don't buy the cheap stuff,my daughter has to process and package that stuff,look at the fat content ,try to buy lean mince with maximum fat content of
10%-12%.
the cheap stuff is basically the s**t with red colouring.

dbelle

:eek:

Thanks for that! I shall steer clear!

Red colouring!

lynzpower

yeah I agree- its the fat content you want to look out for. We always dry fry our mince first then drain off the fat with a sieve, itsa bad enough on the lean mince ( the leanest one) TBH

I would always keep an eye out in the reduced to clear corner and freeze whatever you find for cheapness, Id never use this sort of mince- gristle involved too i expect :eek:

jo1972

You can tell the difference when you brown it, it's full of fat/water. You have to drain about 5 times more liquid out of it. Plus I find the consistancy of it when it's cooked is really tough/dry/grisely(sp?)

If you really want a cheaper option then some of the frozen mince isn't bad, wouldn't buy the value personally tho. Frozen mince cooks up quite good in spag bol or chilli altho not tried it in sheperds pie doubt it would work as well.

I think Nelski's suggestion is the best bet by bulking it out with pulses etc. plus it's the healthiest option!!

Sarahsaver

I have used sainsburys basics mince with no problems. When I make meat balls I cook them in the oven and thus the fat runs off.
I alternate between the cheap stuff and regular priced. If we have a joint of beef I mince the leftovers usually, for pies or bolognese sauces. If you drain the fat off cheap stuff it's ok but the frozen cheap stuff I used to buy long ago I wouldnt touch now - it turns into a sort of slurry :eek:
There is a 'cheap' butchers in town and once when I wanted mince there was none so he got a tray of steaks and minced that for me

jcr16

i buy either tesco H/l Ground steak mince £1.69 for 500g or morrisons lean steak mince 500g for £1.79 and i never get any fat come from either.

i ahve bought value in the past and i found it very gritty with strange hard white lumps in. not nice at all. imp it better to have less meat of a better quality than lots or poor quality.

but this is my opinion. i know someone who only ever buys the cheapest of the cheap and like it. but she does boil it.

lil_me

For the £1 extra a kilo I pay at the farm shop, would rather have that personally, I pick what cuts I want and he minces it in front of me.

I've tried value minces etc but seen it as false economy with the amount of waste fat etc that came off it. If I chose to use it I would personally drain it well.

I also go along the same principal, I'd rather have better quality and less of it.

odds-n-sods

I agree; i get 99% of my meat froma butcher; they only have minced lean steak, and it is great for burgers!

tr3mor

Try pork or turkey mince, they're cheaper and healthier than beef, and work just as well in most dishes.