Raw Roast Beef in Freezer Section of the Refrigerator Frozen for 3 Months

Are yous using your freezer efficiently and effectively?

Buying meat in bulk and stocking upwardly the freezer is a peachy manner to relieve money, reduce trips to the grocery store, and make sure you always have something to eat! Think of your freezer as your savings account, where yous can fix "funds" (aka nutrient) aside for a rainy day. The fridge is your checking account, where you go on the assets y'all plan to use soon.

To get the best bang for your frozen buck, it'southward important to know some important safety tips for freezing and thawing your meat. Learn all the details hither for smarter shopping and saving!

Does Frozen Meat "Go Bad?"

Co-ordinate to the USDA, frozen meat kept at 0°F or lower will always technically be rubber to eat. This depression temperature prevents the growth of microorganisms and microbes like bacteria and mold.

Simply that doesn't mean information technology will gustation expert forever. While freezer fire doesn't brand frozen meat unsafe, it will make the texture dry out and leathery. To identify freezer burn, look for ice crystals on the surface of the meat, or for a shriveled or discolored appearance.

You can cut off freezer-burned spots before or afterward cooking. Or if the meat is heavily freezer-burned, yous may want to throw it away.

How Long Does Frozen Meat Last?

In general, the less a piece of meat has been processed, the longer information technology will final. So a whole, raw chicken can final in the freezer for upwards to a year, while cured and cooked beef hot dogs are best frozen for one to two months.

Here'due south a quick list of mutual uncooked meats and how long they'll stay tasty in the freezer.

• Bacon – 1 month
• Sausage (pork, beef, craven, turkey) – 1-two months
• Steaks – six-12 months
• Pork chops – four-6 months
• Pork butt or roast – four-12 months
• Whole chicken or turkey – ane twelvemonth
• Cut chicken or turkey – 9 months
• Ground beefiness, turkey, or pork – 3-four months

You're not limited to only freezing raw meat! Cooked meat tin can likewise be frozen to prolong its life.

For example, y'all could cook a large roast and freeze half of it to use in a time to come dish. Just be aware that raw frozen meat keeps a pleasing texture for longer than cooked frozen meat, since information technology hasn't yet lost its moisture through the cooking process.

Here are some recommended freezing times for cooked meat:

• Pork or beefiness hot dogs – 1-2 months
• Whole ham – 1-2 months
• One-half ham – ane-2 months
• Poultry – approx. 4 months
• Pork and beefiness – two-3 months

As yous encounter, there are no difficult and fast rules, but rather a range which tin be impacted past how fresh the meat was at the time of freezing, and the style your meat is packaged. To make certain you're not leaving product in the freezer for too long, always label and date your frozen foods!

What Is the All-time Way to Package Meat For Freezing?

The virtually important matter to keep in listen when packaging meat for the freezer is that air is the enemy. You want as little air in your packaging as possible, because that's what causes freezer burn!

If your meat comes in a vacuum sealed package, y'all can successfully freeze it every bit-is. Styrofoam trays aren't every bit airtight, and so you can either over-wrap them in tight plastic wrap, or repackage their contents past wrapping them in plastic and placing them inside a freezer pocketbook.

Previously cooked meat can also exist frozen in a freezer bag or a freezer-safe container. Make certain to squeeze out as much air as possible earlier you lot zero information technology upwardly, and label what is cooked and what is fresh. Ground meat in detail can be difficult to place between raw and cooked later on it'south frozen.

When you put your packages in the freezer, you want them to freeze equally quickly as possible to preclude the growth of ice crystals which volition damage the texture. Lay the items flat and don't stack them until they're solid. Ideally, you would freeze your meat in a stand up-alone freezer that isn't opened often. The more often you open your freezer, the more probable you are to lose temperature.

If a Package Says "Go on Frozen," Can It Get In the Refrigerator Instead?

It's always all-time to stick to the package instructions on your food. This is partially for food safety reasons, and partially for reheating reasons. Foods that say "keep frozen" often have cooking instructions that start from a frozen state.

If a package says to thaw before cooking, so you tin can thaw it in the refrigerator. (See "What Is the Best Way to Safely Thaw Frozen Meat" below.)

How Long Can I Keep Meat Refrigerated Earlier Freezing Information technology?

Meat that has been kept in the fridge is condom to freeze IF:

• It has been kept below 40°F in the refrigerator, and
• Information technology is before the "utilize by" or "freeze by" engagement on the packaging

If the production doesn't have a "use by" or "freeze by" date, make certain to freeze it within 1 to ii  days for ground meat or poultry, or three to 4 days for steaks, chops, or roasts. Check the FDA Food Storage Chart for a full list of refrigeration and freezer storage times.

What Is the Best Way to Safely Thaw Frozen Meat?

Thawing meat out on the kitchen counter is a big no-no. Meat that is left out at room temperature for more than than 2 hours (or ane hour in the summer) tin grow dangerous bacteria.

The three safe ways to thaw meat are in the refrigerator, in common cold water, or in the microwave.

Thawing Frozen Meat in the Fridge

This is the slowest but safest fashion to thaw frozen meat. For small items, an overnight thaw will ordinarily exist sufficient. For a large piece of meat, plan for i day of thaw fourth dimension for every five pounds of meat.

Thawing Frozen Meat in Cold Water

Thawing meat in cold water is faster than the refrigerator, and the cool temperature prevents rapid bacteria growth. Make sure your food is in a leak-proof package and submerge it completely in cold water. Modify the h2o every xxx minutes to make sure it stays common cold during the thawing process.

Thawing Frozen Meat in the Microwave

Using the microwave is the fastest way to thaw frozen meat, but this method is best reserved for mid-sized cuts, like thick steaks and craven pieces. The microwave's defrost setting tin can showtime to cook small items like thin pork chops. And since the microwave doesn't always thaw evenly, large pieces of meat tin actually commencement to melt in some areas while nevertheless frozen in others.

To apply this method, take the meat out of the package and place information technology on a plate or other microwave-safe surface. Follow the instructions on your microwave to defrost based on weight and be certain to check the progress oft, turning the meat to ensure fifty-fifty thaw.

After thawing, cook immediately.

Can Meat Be Refrozen Later on Beingness Thawed?

The USDA advises that it is safe to refreeze raw meat if it was thawed in the fridge. If you used the cold water or microwave methods, it's better to cook the unabridged portion and then freeze the cooked leftovers once they've cooled for about 30 minutes, or once they've stopped steaming.

It's all-time to only thaw and refreeze your meat once, rather than several times. Every time the meat is thawed, it will lose some moisture and repeated freeze/thaw cycles may atomic number 82 to a chewy texture.

A Stocked Freezer Makes an Economic Kitchen!

Keeping a well-stocked freezer can help families save coin on groceries since you can purchase items when they are on sale or buy in bulk, which normally provides the best price per pound. To avert waste product, make a addiction of checking the freezer before making your grocery list or carte, so you can use up what you have earlier you take a chance freezer burn.

Stock up on meat from a supplier that meets loftier animal care standards similar Coleman Natural Foods, so you'll take a steady supply of protein you can feel good about feeding your family, ready to thaw and add to any recipe!

smallwoodfixecition.blogspot.com

Source: https://www.colemannatural.com/blog/how-long-can-you-keep-meat-in-the-freezer/