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How To Dehydrate Hamburger And Make Hamburger Rocks

If you are interested in becoming more self reliant and living off grid, you will want solutions for preserving meat without a refrigerator or a freezer.  One method is canning, but that can be energy intensive.  Another great option for preserving meat is through making jerky.  Jerky has limited uses though, so when I found this recipe on how to make dehydrated hamburger, or “hamburger rocks”I knew it was a great option for using dried meat in every day meals.

If you are looking for a storage solution for meats try making dehydrated hamburger or hamburger rocks. They don't need a freezer or refrigerator!

Related Posts: What To Do When You Have No Refrigerator and Preserving Meat Without Canning Or Freezing By Making Oven Jerky

How To Make Hamburger Rocks

The first step in making hamburger rocks is to precook the meat.  Fry your ground meat.  I prefer using cast iron, but any pan will work.

Next, drain off the grease and put the meat in a colander.  Here’s where it gets a little different than your run of the mill meal prep.  You need to rinse the cooked ground beef really well.  Get as much grease off as you possibly can.  When you think you’ve rinsed it enough, rinse it some more.

Once you’ve removed as much grease as possible, replace the meat in the pan and fry it a second time to remove the excess water.

Once the water from the rinsing has cooked off, transfer your meat onto a drying rack or cookie sheets in the oven.  If you have a dehydrator you can use that too.  Dry the cooked ground beef for two hours or longer if needed until dry.  If it doesn’t seem to be drying, it’s possible it may be too greasy.  I did mine overnight because I thought it wasn’t getting dry, but it turns out it was just too greasy.

Once the meat is completely dry, you can store the hamburger rocks in mason jars in the kitchen or pantry.  They are easily rehydrated by soaking in twice as much water.  For example, use two cups of water per one cup hamburger rocks.

The rehydrated hamburger rocks can be used in any recipe calling for cooked ground beef.  I suggest using it casseroles.  I used mine in lasagna and it was good.

Hamburger rocks can really expand your diet if you are living without a fridge and make a great emergency food.  Go ahead and try them!

How To Dehydrate Hamburger And Make Hamburger Rocks

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Ambrose McLaren

Monday 31st of July 2023

What telp was your oven when you dried the beef?

Thnx for a fine tutorial.

Kathryn

Thursday 3rd of August 2023

The lowest temperature on the oven, which should be about 200 degrees.

Teresa

Saturday 28th of May 2022

So I don't have to seal the lids to store long term? Should I add an oxygen absorbers to car before I close lid? About how long can I store this? Thank You!

Susan

Wednesday 13th of July 2022

@Kathryn, I made some a number of years ago. I stored them in quart sized sealed jars. 1 jar was passed to back and found 5 years later. Tasted perfect

Kathryn

Tuesday 31st of May 2022

You don't have to use oxygen absorbers, but do try to expel air out of the bag where you store it if you can. You don't need to use canning lids. If you're storing for a long time oxygen absorbers may be helpful. I am not sure how long it lasts. I have always used it up before it's shown any sign of spoiling or deteriorating.

Deb Cunningham

Monday 4th of April 2022

How long do you leave it in the water to rehydrate? I love this idea!!!

Kathryn

Tuesday 5th of April 2022

It probably won't take more than 30 minutes!

Catherine

Tuesday 8th of March 2022

Thanks for the great idea! At what temperature should the oven be for the two-plus hours? Or would the heat from the pilot light be enough?

Kathryn

Tuesday 8th of March 2022

The lowest setting, usually around 150 degrees.

Debbie

Sunday 6th of February 2022

Have youtried this method with ground pork, chicken and turkey ?

Kathryn

Tuesday 8th of February 2022

I have not personally tried it, but the steps should yield a similar result.

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