Can You Freeze Meat?

Meat is a freezer-friendly food, and for that reason, the answer to the question, “Can you freeze meat?”, is yes. I mean, if you don’t freeze it, what else can you do with it? Throwing it is not an option either!

In this article, you’ll discover the best way to freeze meat, how to defrost them, and tips to bear in mind to freeze them for a long period. Let’s get into it.

What Is Meat?

Meat is edible flesh derived from animals like turkeys, chickens, goats, cows, rabbits, fish, pigs, etc. Meat is highly rich in protein and must be cooked with seasonings and sometimes herbs before consumption. When cooked, raw meat becomes soft, juicy, and appetizing. Meat is added to various recipes and dishes, sometimes marinated to intensify the flavor and other times fried.

It may interest you to check out: can you freeze marinated meat?

What Are the Types of Meat?

14 varieties of meat are consumed all over the world today. Some are packaged and sold in stores, some are bought from abbatoir, and some are slaughtered at home. These meat are:

Chicken
Beef / Red meat
Turkey
Duck
Goat
Pork (from pigs)
Lamb (from sheep)
Pheasant (from birds)
Rabbit
Bison (from Buffalo)
Mutton (from sheep)
Venison (from deer, antelope)
Veal (from calves)
Seafood (from oysters, shrimps, lobster, etc)

How to Freeze Meat

When next you are stuck with excesses, here are ways to answer the question, “Can you freeze meat?” Follow these guides to freeze them the best way:

1. Divide into Portions

The first thing you should do after washing them is to divide the meat into portions. The best way to do this is to slice them. On a chopping board, place your meat and use a functional knife to slice it through into pieces. Slicing them into pieces makes it easy for you when you want to use them.

2. Wrap Up

Now, wrap the slices of meat in aluminum foil or a cling film. You want to make sure you cover up the whole meat with the wrap. Another best option is to wrap meat using a vacuum seal. This helps in getting rid of air and moisture while sealing.

3. Bag Up

Place the covered meat into a freezer bag or in an air-tight container. Close and seal the air-tight container and freezer bag.

4. Record and Freeze

Lastly, record the storage date on the air-tight container or freezer bag using a marker pen so you remember when you purchased the meat. Proceed to place it in the freezer for nearly 3 months.

How Long Can You Freeze Meat?

You can freeze meat for up to 3 months in the freezer.

We recommend slicing meat into portions to build room for successful freezing. You can also double the freezer bag and use two layers to freeze the meat. This helps to prevent freezer burn.

Lastly, ensure you cover the meat properly so it can be kept in the freezer for up to 3 months.

4 Tips For Freezing Meat

Now that you know the answer to the question, “Can you freeze meat?”, here are a few tips to guide you in freezing them the best way.

TIP 1: You can choose to freeze the meat wholly but it is advised that you slice it before wrapping.

TIP 2: Consider using a vacuum seal, as this helps keep air and moisture out of the bag.

TIP 3: Always tighten the seal, sometimes twice.

TIP 4: Consider freezing meat when it’s still fresh.

How Do You Defrost Meat?

Once it’s time for you to defrost meat to eat again, simply bring the meat out of the freezer, put it on a plate or dish, and transfer it to the fridge or refrigerator overnight. This way, when it begins to soften, the liquid drops to the plate and does not mess up your fridge or refrigerator. It takes about 8-12 hours for the meat to defrost adequately.

Alternatively, you can defrost meat in the microwave. Simply unwrap the frozen meat gently or give it some time to soften so you can take it off easily. Once unwrapped, place it in a bowl and use the defrost setting to microwave the meat. Once done, go ahead and cook it immediately.

Lastly, you can thaw frozen meat in a cold water bath but you will have to change the water every 25-30 minutes till the meat is defrosted entirely.

How to Tell If Frozen Meat Is Bad

If you see or observe the following with your frozen meat, you should throw them out as these signs indicate frozen meat has gone bad.

Dull or brown appearance
Sour smell
The development of frostbite or ice crystals
Dry texture

Can You Refreeze Meat?

Absolutely. Meat can be refrozen as it can be placed in the freezer again. But, we recommend you first cook defrosted meat before placing it in the freezer again. This way, you maintain the taste and quality of the meat and also prevent bacterial development.

Does Meat Freeze Well?

Meat freezes extremely well in the freezer in the condition that the freezer works well and meat is wrapped firmly and covered properly.

Conclusion

The answer to “Can you freeze meat?” is yes. Meat can be in the freezer for about three months when wrapped firmly preventing freezer burn and from going bad. When you are ready to eat meat, defrost meat in the fridge appropriately.

I hope you found this article helpful.

FAQs

What is the best way to freeze beef?

The best way to freeze meat is to make sure it is covered firmly and tightly. You should use vacuum seal bags or freezer bags to freeze meat, it stays for about 3 months in the freezer.

Can you put raw beef in freezer?

Yes, you can. But don’t just put it in the freezer. You should cover it firmly by cutting it into portions and wrapping it with plastic wrap. Afterward, you should place it in a vacuum seal bag or freezer bag and then put it in the freezer.

Does freezing beef affect its quality?

Freezing beef does not affect its quality rather it retains the quality and taste for 3 months. After 3 months, it begins to deteriorate and quality is then altered.

How long can you keep beef in the freezer?

Your beef can keep up in the freezer for about 3 months so long as it is protected and preserved the right way. Beef should be covered properly in vacuum seal bags and freezer bags before placing in the freezer.