50 lbs of hamburger

[Snowking]

I have to cook 50 lbs of hamburger for tacos. How would you cook it. I was thinking about putting it in the oven and then into the kitchen aid to break it up. Any ideas would greatly appreciated.

Thanks chad

[Finns]

A few turkey roasters?

[Eric_Kruger]

I had to do this when my fiance graduated, I did it ten pounds at a time in a big 5 gallon pot on the stove, then dumped it into the crockpots. we originally tried 25 at a time but found we got more flavor and better consistency by doing it 10 lbs at a time.

[the squirrel]

A couple 18 qt turkey roasters should do it.

[pushbutton]

Would think the big canning pots or oven ....or both depending how much time you have. With the oven would do 350 ish until the pink is gone and just break it up by hand after it cools a little. With the big pots would do a mediumish heat and maybe add a little water/stock, as well as stir often so it does not stick on the bottom. You would have to drain the fat out in something like a colinder. Would also suggest doing this at least a day ahead of time, possibly season it as well, and just reheat on the day of serving. Thats a lot of tacos........

[B-man715]

A propane turkey cooker is about the fastest way to cook anything. Its hard to beat a couple hundred thousand BTU's baby A few batches and an hour of time is about all you should need to complete the project.

[delcecchi]

If I had to do it, I would either put it in the oven in roasting pans and mash it periodically, or (thinking outside the box) deep fry it like 5 pounds or so at a time. The turkey fryer would be great. chop or break it into small pieces before cooking. Shouldn't take more than a few minutes per batch.

[jerkin'm]

Years ago when I worked at a hotel, the chef used to cook batches that size by covering in water and simmering until done. You can break it up in the water very easily before it gets hot....drain water off and season it up...I couldn't believe it worked as well as it did and you would have never known it was essentially poached...The turkey fryer would work perfectly for this method..

[huntnfish]

I have done hamburger by boiling it. I haven't ever done more than a couple pounds and I'm sure you lose a little flavor. I do this when I'm making barbeques normally and haven't noticed much difference in flavor. I think in places like schools that have to brown large batches just throw it in a roasting pan and cook it in the oven.

[Snowking]

We ended up doing it in a couple cast iron pans in six pound batches. Took about 25 minutes per batch. It was a lot easyer than I expected. Made 36 pounds up front and that was good still have about 5 pounds of taco meat left over and 15 pounds of raw meat. I'll be making a bunch of hamberger pattys to freeze for a quick dinner when needed. Thanks for all the input