Stocking your freezer with high-quality beef from Oak Barn Beef is a great way to ensure your family enjoys premium, Nebraska-raised beef in every meal. Whether you’ve purchased a Quarter of Beef Package or simply stocked up on your favorite cuts, knowing how to store, thaw, and cook beef efficiently can make meal prep a breeze. In this guide, we’ll share the best meal prep strategies, easy beef recipes, and tips to maximize your beef order.
When you buy beef in bulk, proper storage ensures freshness, flavor, and quality.
Use vacuum-sealed packaging (like Oak Barn Beef’s) to prevent freezer burn. When handling vacuum-sealed packages, be sure to grab the meat portion of the package and not any of the extra plastic packaging. Grabbing the excess packaging can lead to the vacuum seal breaking.
Organize by cut, placing roasts and ground beef in easy-to-reach spots for quick dinners, and steaks in the back for weekend meals.
Use freezer organization bins for space efficiency—ground beef is easiest to store in a storage bin/basket instead of letting it roll loose in the freezer.
Refrigerator Thawing: The safest method—plan ahead by moving beef from the freezer to the fridge 24 hours before cooking.
Cold Water Thawing: Submerge vacuum-sealed beef in cold water for 30-60 minutes for a quicker option.
Never thaw at room temperature, as this can lead to unhealthy food.
Prepping beef in advance can save time and stress during busy weeknights. Here are simple meal prep strategies to make the most of your beef order:
Ground beef is the ultimate versatile protein—cook in bulk and store for easy meal assembly.
👉 How to Prep:
Brown 3-5 lbs of ground beef with salt, pepper, and a little onion for flavor.
Cool and divide into meal-sized portions in freezer bags.
Use for tacos, pasta, casseroles, or stuffed peppers throughout the week.
Cuts like skirt steaks, kabob and fajita meat, and other cuts can be pre-marinated and stored in the fridge for quick, flavorful meals.
👉 How to Prep:
Mix a simple marinade (olive oil, garlic, soy sauce, and Worcestershire).
Coat steaks in marinade and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before grilling or pan-searing.
Slow-cooked beef transforms tougher cuts into tender, flavorful dishes.
👉 How to Prep:
Toss roasts or stew meat into a freezer bag with broth, onions, and seasoning.
When ready to cook, dump everything into the slow cooker—a hands-off dinner!
Perfect for meal prep & kids love them!
Ingredients:
1 lb Oak Barn Beef ground beef
½ tsp salt & pepper
½ tsp garlic powder
8 slider buns
Cheese slices & toppings of choice
Instructions:
Mix ground beef with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
Form into small patties and grill or pan-sear for 3 minutes per side.
Assemble on slider buns with cheese, pickles, and condiments.
💡 Meal Prep Tip: Make patties ahead and freeze them raw, separated by parchment paper.
A quick, high-protein meal ready in 15 minutes!
Ingredients:
1 lb flat iron steak, cut into 1-inch cubes
2 tbsp butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
½ tsp salt & pepper
1 tbsp chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions:
Heat butter in a skillet over medium-high heat.
Add steak cubes and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until browned.
Stir in garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
Sprinkle with parsley and serve with roasted veggies or rice.
💡 Meal Prep Tip: Cube steak and store for a quick cook later!
Set it and forget it—fall-apart tender beef!
Ingredients:
3 lb Oak Barn Beef chuck roast
1 onion, sliced
3 carrots, chopped
2 cups beef broth
2 tsp salt & pepper
1 tsp thyme
Instructions:
Place roast, onions, and carrots in a slow cooker.
Pour beef broth over and season with salt, pepper, and thyme.
Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.
Shred and serve over mashed potatoes or in sandwiches.
💡 Meal Prep Tip: Leftover shredded beef makes amazing tacos or beef bowls!
To make the most of your Oak Barn Beef purchase, follow these key takeaways:
✅ Organize and store beef properly to maintain freshness.
✅ Plan meals ahead—batch-cook ground beef, marinate steaks, and prep slow cooker meals.
✅ Use the right cut for the right meal—ground beef for quick dinners, steaks for grilling, roasts for slow cooking.
✅ Repurpose leftovers into different meals to avoid food waste.
With a little planning, your Oak Barn Beef order can fuel your family with high-quality, delicious meals all week long.
Looking to stock up? Check out our beef packages here and start meal prepping with the best Nebraska-raised beef today!
If you’ve ever made a roast before, you know that there’s a fine line between preparing the perfect roast and serving something less than desirable. We’ve got tips to help you nail it every time.
