I first learned about a tool called a ground meat grinder in 2018. I was writing a story about rare kitchen utensils and posted it on Facebook, asking my friends to share ideas. recommendations on tools they loved and couldn't live without.
The minced meat grinder was mentioned enthusiastically at the time, but I dismissed it, thinking the goofy-looking gadget was a gimmick.
Six years later, I Finally I got one and my only regret is not buying it sooner. It helps break down ground meat much easier and faster, making dinner easier many nights of the week. So when I saw that ALDI was selling the Crofton Meat Chopper, I knew I had to share.
It's baffling that it took me six years to buy this when every time I cooked mince or sausages this recommendation came to mind. As I thought back to the Facebook post in preparation for writing this story, I noticed that several other friends had also commented that they owned and loved this product.
The original poster, Amanda, said she was “usually very skeptical of products that only have one use” but went on to say that “this mix and chop thing from Pampered Chef is really the BEST for breaking up ground meat” and she used that all the time. “It’s really the only fancy thing I have in my kitchen, but it’s really useful.”
She's right; if I had listened to it in 2018, I would have saved myself a lot of time and frustration. The Pampered Chef's Mix N Chop is listed for $34.99 on Amazon, but the ALDI Crofton Chopper retails for just $3.99.
Simply Recipes / Photo Illustration by Wanda Abraham / Retailers Below
Why I love this meat grinder
This meat grinder has become my favorite tool for quickly breaking down and evenly browning ground meat and sausages (something we tend to eat a lot of), making meal prep much quicker and easier.
One of the biggest appeals of the meat grinder is the way it breaks up and evenly distributes the ground meat in the pan. Most people probably use a spatula to perform this task, which has a main edge or “blade.” With the mincer, you work with five blades, quickly breaking up large pieces and clumps and ensuring that the meat browns and cooks evenly.
This is handy for several pounds of meat, which used to be a real arm workout with just a spatula. I once made these chicken tacos for a crew of neighbors before I got this tool and needed backup just to cook the meat.
Cleaning it is also a breeze since the entire chopper is dishwasher safe and has few nooks and crannies where food can get stuck. I usually do a quick rinse under the faucet and then add it to the normal dishwasher cycle so it's ready for the next time.
Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop styling by Lindsey Lower
Other ways to use this tool
ALDI calls it a “meat grinder” because it blows other tools out of the water when it comes to preparing meat. But this little tool also has many uses beyond meat. Following Amanda's recommendations, I've used it to chop cooked potatoes, chickpeas, beans, large quantities of things like egg salad, and even vegetables when I first started cooking and that I realized I wanted them to be a little smaller. It features a comfortable grip and thumb rest that makes it easy to get leverage, even when the pan is full.
Ultimately, the ALDI Crofton Meat Grinder is one of those rare, seemingly nifty purchases that lives up to the hype. It's a brilliant, well-designed invention that makes cooking faster and easier than ever. And with that price of $3.99, it's also very affordable. But even if I had to pay $34.99 to get it again, I probably would. Since this is an ALDI find, it definitely won't last long. So don't wait for this one, like I did, and regret not buying it sooner!
