BUONA AT YOUR GROCER FAQS
We receive many questions, comments, and requests about our company and products. Below is a list of the most frequently asked questions.
Click Here to contact us for further information or with feedback.
Can I refreeze Buona (beef and meatballs) product once it has been thawed?
For optimal taste and freshness, we do not recommend refreezing our Buona products once it has been completely thawed which is why we offer various sizes.
But if you save some for later…we recommend that you make certain that you use a properly sized container so that the gravy covers our natural Buona Beef before placing in the freezer.
When does product expire?
For best quality and food safety while kept frozen, product is good through the best by date printed on the bottom of the container. Once defrosted, product should be consumed within 5 days.
Can Buona (beef and meatballs) be cooked in a microwave?
For best results, we prefer our Buona products be prepared on the stovetop; however if you prefer to heat in the microwave, you will find easy to follow instructions next to the nutritional facts on our tubs. For Heating Instructions – Click Here.
*Remember USDA recommends to safely thaw in your refrigerator.*
Where are frozen tubs of Buona Beef available?
We are stocked at all of the major retailers in Chicagoland including: Jewel, Aldi, Costco, Sam’s Club, Marianos, Wal Mart, Mejier, Target, Strack & Van Til, Petes, Berkots, Tony’s & Caputos.
In Wisconsin we are stocked at Aldi, Costco, Sam’s Club, Wal Mart, Woodman’s, Festival foods & Sendiks.
We are also stocked at all GFS Marketplace Stores, which includes Michigan, Illinois & Florida.
*Tub sizes and availability depend upon specific store locations.*
For your convenience, we have teamed up with Goldbely (https://www.goldbely.com) services to make them available to people anywhere, nationwide.
How many servings per container?
The suggested serving size per container is always listed directly under nutritional facts and based on USDA standards for serving size (150g). With that being said, serving size per household can vary depending on how you portion your “sandwich.” We approximate the following number of 5” sandwiches from the various tub sizes: 6lb – 13-15 sandwiches, 5lb – 10-12 sandwiches, 4lb – 8-9 sandwiches, 20oz– 3 sandwiches.
Serving size for Marinara & Meatballs is 4 – Sandwiches or serve over 1lb (dry weight) of your favorite pasta to make a meal for 4.
I’m noticing a green tint inside my Buona Beef tub, why?
The green coloring is likely evident because of the high quality oregano that is used when preparing our Buona Beef. However, in some meats a natural occurrence known as birefringence occurs during slicing. It is the result of muscle fibers, or myofilaments being cut at diverse angles and is not an indication of spoilage or microbial activity. It may be more prevalent in our natural product because we do not use artificial coloring to mask this phenomenon.
Too spicy, what can I do?
Our ORIGINAL ITALIAN BEEF does have a lot of Italian seasonings. The easy answer would be to add water to your preference to dilute the spices.
Here are some suggestions/tips we can offer:
- Stir the gravy prior to making your sandwich
- When you empty the tub, you will find some of our natural spices at the bottom, add a splash of water, and toss the mixture into your sauce pan.
- Be sure to use a quality Italian bread (like Turano)
- Don’t tell “Papa” you made changes to the Old Italian family recipe 🙂
What is the best way to grill or tailgate with frozen product from Buona tubs?
You can empty thawed product into an aluminum tray or a saucepan of your choice. Place the tray or pan on low heat on the grill until it is warm. The gravy and beef need to reach 160 degrees to eat. Do not bring the gravy to a boil, this will over cook the meat.
For you tailgaters, the best safety practice is to maintain that temperature throughout and move leftovers to your refrigeration immediately.
