10 Things You Can Make With a Meat Grinder
A meat grinder makes burgers, sausage, meatballs, ground jerky, fresh mince blends, breakfast patties, taco and chilli meat, ground poultry, and even non-meat jobs like grinding dried bread into crumbs. Grinding your own gives better flavour, texture and food safety than pre-packed.
A meat grinder is one of the most underused tools in the kitchen. Once you own one, you realise it does far more than mince, and everything it grinds is fresher and better than the pre-packed version.
1. Burgers
Fresh-ground chuck makes juicy burgers no packet matches; see how to make burgers.
2. Sausage
Grind, season and stuff your own links or patties; see how to make sausage and the best grinder for sausage.
3. Meatballs
Custom blends of beef, pork and veal for tender, flavourful meatballs.
4. Ground jerky
Tender, uniform jerky from ground meat, extruded with a jerky gun; see ground beef jerky.
5. Custom mince blends
Blend cuts to your ideal fat ratio, leaner, richer, or a mix of meats.
6. Breakfast & slider patties
Season fresh mince for breakfast sausage patties or sliders.
7. Taco & chilli meat
Coarse-ground beef for hearty tacos, chilli and ragu.
8. Ground poultry
Grind chicken or turkey for leaner burgers and meatballs, cook it thoroughly.
9. Game & venison
Process a hunting haul into burgers and sausage; see the best grinder for deer & game.
10. Non-meat jobs
Many grinders turn stale bread into breadcrumbs, or grind hard cheese, handy extras. Choosing a grinder? See the best meat grinders.
Frequently asked questions
What can you make with a meat grinder besides burgers?
Sausage, meatballs, ground jerky, breakfast patties, custom mince blends, taco and chilli meat, ground poultry, and non-meat jobs like breadcrumbs, all fresher than store-bought.
Is grinding your own meat better?
Yes, you control the cut, fat ratio and freshness, get better texture, and know exactly what is in it. It is also often cheaper for premium blends.
Can a meat grinder do more than meat?
Some can grind dried bread into breadcrumbs, or hard cheese, and with attachments, stuff sausage or make pasta. Check your model; avoid bone unless it is rated for it.