While at the Grocery Store You See 2 Packeges of Beef

Are you lot using your freezer efficiently and effectively?

Buying meat in majority and stocking upward the freezer is a swell way to save money, reduce trips to the grocery store, and make certain you always have something to consume! Think of your freezer as your savings account, where you can ready "funds" (aka food) bated for a rainy solar day. The refrigerator is your checking account, where you go along the assets y'all plan to employ soon.

To get the best bang for your frozen cadet, it'due south of import to know some important rubber tips for freezing and thawing your meat. Larn all the details here for smarter shopping and saving!

Does Frozen Meat "Get Bad?"

According to the USDA, frozen meat kept at 0°F or lower volition always technically be prophylactic to eat. This depression temperature prevents the growth of microorganisms and microbes like leaner and mold.

But that doesn't mean it will taste good forever. While freezer burn doesn't make frozen meat dangerous, it volition make the texture dry and leathery. To identify freezer burn down, look for ice crystals on the surface of the meat, or for a shriveled or discolored appearance.

You can cut off freezer-burned spots earlier or later cooking. Or if the meat is heavily freezer-burned, you lot 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 it volition last. So a whole, raw chicken can last in the freezer for upwards to a year, while cured and cooked beef hot dogs are best frozen for one to two months.

Here'southward a quick list of common uncooked meats and how long they'll stay tasty in the freezer.

• Bacon – ane month
• Sausage (pork, beef, chicken, turkey) – one-2 months
• Steaks – 6-12 months
• Pork chops – 4-half dozen months
• Pork butt or roast – 4-12 months
• Whole chicken or turkey – ane year
• Cut chicken or turkey – 9 months
• Basis beef, turkey, or pork – 3-4 months

You're not limited to only freezing raw meat! Cooked meat can also exist frozen to prolong its life.

For example, you lot could cook a large roast and freeze half of information technology to employ in a future dish. Merely be aware that raw frozen meat keeps a pleasing texture for longer than cooked frozen meat, since it hasn't yet lost its wet through the cooking process.

Here are some recommended freezing times for cooked meat:

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

As you run across, there are no difficult and fast rules, but rather a range which tin can exist impacted by how fresh the meat was at the fourth dimension of freezing, and the way 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 Mode to Parcel Meat For Freezing?

The most important matter to keep in mind when packaging meat for the freezer is that air is the enemy. You want as picayune air in your packaging every bit possible, because that's what causes freezer burn!

If your meat comes in a vacuum sealed package, you can successfully freeze it every bit-is. Styrofoam trays aren't every bit closed, then you tin either over-wrap them in tight plastic wrap, or repackage their contents by wrapping them in plastic and placing them inside a freezer bag.

Previously cooked meat can also be frozen in a freezer handbag or a freezer-safe container. Make certain to squeeze out equally much air equally possible before you goose egg it upward, and label what is cooked and what is fresh. Basis meat in particular can exist difficult to identify betwixt raw and cooked after information technology's frozen.

When you lot put your packages in the freezer, you want them to freeze every bit chop-chop as possible to forestall the growth of water ice crystals which will damage the texture. Lay the items flat and don't stack them until they're solid. Ideally, yous would freeze your meat in a stand-lone freezer that isn't opened often. The more often you open your freezer, the more likely you are to lose temperature.

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

Information technology's always best to stick to the packet instructions on your food. This is partially for food rubber reasons, and partially for reheating reasons. Foods that say "continue frozen" often accept cooking instructions that showtime from a frozen country.

If a bundle says to thaw before cooking, then yous can thaw it in the refrigerator. (See "What Is the Best Way to Safely Thaw Frozen Meat" beneath.)

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

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

• Information technology has been kept beneath 40°F in the fridge, and
• It is earlier the "use by" or "freeze by" date on the packaging

If the production doesn't accept a "use past" or "freeze by" date, brand sure to freeze it within 1 to two  days for ground meat or poultry, or three to 4 days for steaks, chops, or roasts. Check the FDA Nutrient Storage Chart for a full listing of refrigeration and freezer storage times.

What Is the Best Style 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 2 hours (or ane 60 minutes in the summer) can grow unsafe bacteria.

The iii condom ways to thaw meat are in the refrigerator, in cold h2o, or in the microwave.

Thawing Frozen Meat in the Refrigerator

This is the slowest merely safest fashion to thaw frozen meat. For small items, an overnight thaw will ordinarily be sufficient. For a large piece of meat, plan for one day of thaw fourth dimension for every v pounds of meat.

Thawing Frozen Meat in Cold Water

Thawing meat in common cold h2o is faster than the refrigerator, and the cool temperature prevents rapid bacteria growth. Brand certain your food is in a leak-proof package and submerge it completely in cold water. Change the water every 30 minutes to make sure it stays common cold during the thawing procedure.

Thawing Frozen Meat in the Microwave

Using the microwave is the fastest mode to thaw frozen meat, only this method is best reserved for mid-sized cuts, like thick steaks and chicken pieces. The microwave's defrost setting can outset to cook minor items like thin pork chops. And since the microwave doesn't always thaw evenly, large pieces of meat tin really showtime to cook in some areas while all the same frozen in others.

To utilize this method, take the meat out of the packet and place it on a plate or other microwave-prophylactic surface. Follow the instructions on your microwave to defrost based on weight and be sure to check the progress often, turning the meat to ensure even thaw.

After thawing, cook immediately.

Can Meat Be Refrozen After Being Thawed?

The USDA advises that it is safe to refreeze raw meat if it was thawed in the refrigerator. If you used the cold water or microwave methods, it's better to cook the entire portion so freeze the cooked leftovers in one case they've cooled for about thirty minutes, or once they've stopped steaming.

It's best to only thaw and refreeze your meat once, rather than several times. Every fourth dimension the meat is thawed, it will lose some moisture and repeated freeze/thaw cycles may lead to a chewy texture.

A Stocked Freezer Makes an Economical Kitchen!

Keeping a well-stocked freezer can help families save money on groceries since y'all can buy items when they are on sale or buy in majority, which usually provides the all-time price per pound. To avoid waste product, make a habit of checking the freezer before making your grocery list or carte du jour, then you lot can use up what yous have earlier you risk freezer fire.

Stock up on meat from a supplier that meets loftier animal intendance standards like Coleman Natural Foods, and so you'll take a steady supply of poly peptide you can feel practiced about feeding your family unit, ready to thaw and add to any recipe!

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

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