Cutting up meat

[heretohunt]

When butchering animals I usually break it down into muscle groups and wrap it in roast size portions. Then separate the trim into a garbage bag. I was told garbage bags are for garbage. What do you store your trimmings in to make burger, sausage, stew meat later?
Grinding hamburger is a great post season project. I bought some food safe 5 gallon pails but bags would store easier in the freezer.
Does anyone have any suggestions?

[schleprock]

Ziploc freezer bags or vacuum pack

[huntinstuff]

Originally Posted by schleprock

Ziploc freezer bags or vacuum pack

X2

[Moo Snukkle]

I use 15” wide vac seal. Come in a roll so you can customize the length. I just triple fold one end and tuck tape it shut. I put 25 lbs in each and they lay fairly flat in the freezer.

[Dick284]

You can also purchase heavy duty “trim” bags from places like Halford’s, CTR, Butcher and Packers.

[3blade]

Vacuum seal everything, I bag the trim in 4 lb portions because that’s what I usually use for a recipe. Then only thaw and grind what you’re gonna cook. By far the best results that way

But if a vac sealer isn’t in the budget, get extra large ziploc freezer bags.

Garbage, contractor, and any other non-food grade bags are absolutely not acceptable for meat.

[Mountain Guy]

I use lard / margarine / mayo pails I get from a buddies restaurant. Rectangular shape and hold about 20lbs of trim. Good size for one batch of sausage. Right size to be able to keep and stack a few in the freezer. I put meat wrap on top the meat and push all the air out. Snap the lid on and it keeps very well.
I have some for you...so far not required for me because I'm a crappy hunter

[vance]

Agree with all suggestions. If you use ziplocks/vac sealed bags, freeze on a sheet pan, rather than lying directly on wire shelves in the freezer (if you have those shelves). Once frozen, you can stack as you wish in the freezer.
This makes the frozen bags flat sided and less vulnerable to damage.

The plastic food tub idea is very clever and also gets the AO recycling award for the day (if that award existed.....)
Vance

[MountainTi]

As said above, 15lb freezer bags from Halfords. I weigh them all out to 10lbs (I don't do small batches of sausage). Trim lasts a long time in those bags.
I won't put meat in a ziploc bag for any longer than a couple weeks...

[DirtShooter]

Somewhat on topic, if you're bringing trimmings to the butcher what do you put it in? Same bags as if you weren't? Won't have time this year to process my own I don't think.

[Mike_W]

As long as they are unscented and BPA free you are fine using a garbage bag. I have switched to freezing in 10lb clear food safe bags.