Freezing meat can be a confusing subject. How long can you freeze meat for? Can you freeze cooked meat? Luckily for you, we’re here to help answer all your questions and more.
Why Should You Freeze Meat?
Freezing meat is a great way to preserve raw meat and make it last longer before going off. When meat is frozen you stop it from going bad but you might lose out on quality as it can suffer from freezer burn. Freezer burn is when frozen meat becomes damaged because it is dehydrated and oxidised as air begins reaching the food. Once the meat is defrosted it is safe to cook again.
Can You Freeze Cooked Meat?
You can refreeze cooked meat as long as it has been cooled down before you freeze it, it can then be defrosted and stored in the fridge for up to 24 hours before you need to cook it or throw it away. To keep waste to a minimum, split the meat into portions before freezing and then just defrost what you need.
How Long Can You Freeze Meat For?
The time you can freeze meat for and it remains safe to eat is entirely dependent on the type of meat it is. Some last longer than others, here is a list of how long you can safely freeze raw meat:
Beef, pork, lamb and veal
- Steak – 6-12 months
- Roast – 4-12 months
- Chops – 4-6 months
Poultry
- Whole – 12 months
- Parts – 9 Months
- Giblets – 3-4 months
Cooked meats differ from raw meat and can reduce the time the food can be frozen significantly:
Cooked Meat
- Smoked Sausage – 1-2 Months
- Cooked beef, pork, lamb and veal – 2-3 months
- Meat-based broth and stews – 2-3 Months
Cooked Poultry
- Pieces – 4 months
- Fried – 4 months
- Nuggets and Patties – 1-3 months
Can You Freeze Meat Twice?
You should never refreeze raw meat of any kind once it has been defrosted. You can however cook it and then refreeze it if it is necessary. You can refreeze cooked meat (and fish) once as long as you let it cool down before freezing, if you aren’t sure don’t refreeze it.
As a rule, meat can be refrozen if it was stored in the fridge while it defrosted, was refrozen in around 3-4 days, wasn’t left out of the fridge for more than 2 hours, and didn’t spend more than an hour in temperatures above 32℃.
Be aware though that this can reduce the quality of your meat significantly so consider cooking with a marinade or as part of a stew or curry if you decide to use it to try and cover the lower quality meat.
So there you go, everything you need to know about freezing meat! If you are looking to buy high-quality meat why not take a look at our range of fresh meat, you’re sure to find something you like.
