Cooking for two is a bummer.

[zwiller]

Lone dissenter. Family of 4 and running for food constantly. PM for address to send leftovers to.

 

[Inscrutable]

... I have to start to learn to portion up the food and freeze, because most of the time i just keep eating it until it is gone.
David

Man vs Food, The Return (and Man always wins)

 

[Inscrutable]

Have you ever explored home canning of meat? I only can chicken, pork, corned beef, fish and smoked fish, broth and pizza sauce. It's an option because not only do you have delicious meat to use for many things, the portions are controlled because you can choose pints, 1.5 pint, and quart jars. I can make an endless number of meals with canned meats. Chicken is probably the most versatile.
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Hmmm, interesting ... have never canned .... vs freezing, are you doing this to better preserve texture?

 

[SmokyMose]

Yep; this boat keeps getting bigger! I'll do a packer and a couple of butts in the fall, slice and pull, vac-seal in meal sized portions and it usually lasts the two of us all winter.
I even give a lot of sausage away just so I can make more....
Three of the Mrs. daughters are planning to come up from TN at the end of the month with two kids and want me to make something. I'm so excited,
partly because we haven't seen them in well over a year (we're vaccinated now) and partly because I get to cook for more than just us!

 

[Bearcarver]

It was only 3 of us for about 19 years, not that much different than the 2 of us now:
Anybody who gets to see any of my Threads knows my feelings about Leftovers---I plan on them!!
We usually get between 2 & 5 night's Suppers out of one Cook, and whatever is left gets Vacuum sealed & Frozen. We never had to throw anything away, so we must be doing something right. The only thing I never freeze is the "Sides". We just keep eating them until they're done. And when I reheat the Meat, Mrs Bear makes new sides, but only a small amount to go with that meal.
Much of the times, the leftover Meat ends up in some kind of a Sandwich for the Sammy Loving Bear Who Lives Here!!!

Bear

 

[daspyknows]

Same here so lots of sharing and those I share with share stuff with me (non food mostly) so its all good. They tent to ask what I am smoking hint hint. I need to stock the freezer for my son since once I have oral surgery in May I will be on soft food until late in the year. He had bbq withdrawals the past week while I was down from the first procedure.

 

[thirdeye]

Hmmm, interesting ... have never canned .... vs freezing, are you doing this to better preserve texture?

A combination of reasons, first I grew up eating canned meats and enjoy the flavors. Using canned meats take no time when making something like a pork stew, you get the other ingredients together and since the meat is fully cooked during processing, you add it at the end along with some broth and simmer a few minutes.

Like sausage making or curing meats, canning is a fun hobby. I don't can jams or jellies or vegetables but they are delicious.

I think properly frozen food is equal to canned foods with the exception that you have some shelf stable food, and you do save some freezer space. Canned food is good for at least 18 months.

Texture wise I do like canned pork as it's as tender as pulled pork. Canned chicken is likely my favorite, it's very tender and moist. Canning fresh or smoked trout or salmon is a wonderful way to enjoy it.... it has it's own unique texture and flavor. If I had to choose two canned meats only, I would choose chicken and fish.
Smoked is on the left.

 

[SmokyMose]

A combination of reasons, first I grew up eating canned meats and enjoy the flavors. Using canned meats take no time when making something like a pork stew, you get the other ingredients together and since the meat is fully cooked during processing, you add it at the end along with some broth and simmer a few minutes.

Like sausage making or curing meats, canning is a fun hobby. I don't can jams or jellies or vegetables but they are delicious.

I think properly frozen food is equal to canned foods with the exception that you have some shelf stable food, and you do save some freezer space. Canned food is good for at least 18 months.

Texture wise I do like canned pork as it's as tender as pulled pork. Canned chicken is likely my favorite, it's very tender and moist. Canning fresh or smoked trout or salmon is a wonderful way to enjoy it.... it has it's own unique texture and flavor. If I had to choose two canned meats only, I would choose chicken and fish.
Smoked is on the left.
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I started canning tomatoes and pickled peppers mainly because they all come up at once in the garden and I hate to waste them. Like you said, it's more like a hobby than a survival thing. Also, canned things don't use up freezer space. This canning meats sounds interesting. Any suggestions about where I should look to check it out further?

 

[GaryHibbert]

Try doing it alone!

Been there done that---foar 30 years after my first marriage.
Gary

 

[Smokin Okie]

It just being the wife and I, we can't eat all I want to cook. We vac/seal a lot of left overs but they eventually have to be consumed. I give smoked meat to the neighbors and our kids every chance I get and they just love it. Thank goodness for this forum providing a lot of different ways to prepare meals using leftovers. But still, the freezer gets full and I have to lay low for a while. Does anyone else have this problem? Discuss.

Yes.

Its just my wife and I , and I can easily get our freezer filled with barbecue. I don't cook near as often as I'd like.

 

[sawhorseray]

I'm at kind of a crossroads here. My wife doesn't eat pork, lamb, or beef cuts, will love the occasional burger. Jan eats chicken and seafood, when I do a beef or lamb roast, PP, or a rack of spares it's all for me. Since moving to AZ right before the pandemic it's all pretty much steaks and chops for me making sure I cook up something my wife likes a couple times a week, usually fish or shrimp. Commercial grade vac-sealer get a constant workout, there's always something that can be thawed for a easy meal, don't spend anywhere near what I used to on food. RAY

 

[6GRILLZNTN]

I'm single, but for some dang reason people come out of the woodwork when I fire up my smoker.

Dave

 

[Cabo]

Just the two of us also. We run a small a business so are busy during the week. I cook every weekend so we have stuff easy to reheat during the week.