The cost of living is always on the rise, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture expects 2011 food prices to be 2 to 3 percent higher than in 2010, according to Matt Andrejczak of the MarketWatch website. Restructuring of U.S. meat companies caused the price of meat to soar, making those steaks in your freezer potentially more valuable than when you bought them. Protect your food investment by thawing meat, cooking it and safely refreezing your meal.
Thawed Meat
Do not refreeze meat that has thawed completely without cooking it. Fort Valley State University's College of Agriculture explains that you must cook completely thawed, whole red meats immediately, but that they will then be safe to refreeze. Cook partially thawed, processed and ground meats before refreezing to ensure safety. You may refreeze meat still retaining ice crystals without cooking.
Freezer Rules
The USDA is comfortable with cooking thawed meat before refreezing. The federal agency has set food-safety guidelines for freezing, including freezer temperature, length of recommended storage time and suggestions for quality retention. The USDA reports that "food stored constantly at 0 degrees F will always be safe," adding that frozen foods remain safe indefinitely but quality will diminish over time. To ensure quality, freeze raw meats like roasts, chops and steaks for four to 12 months. Uncooked ground meats begin to lose quality within three to four months in the freezer; thaw these meats, cook them and refreeze for another two to three months to retain quality. Soups, stews and casseroles preserve your meat investment and store conveniently in your freezer for two to three months.
Poultry and Fish
Poultry and fish spoil more rapidly than other types of meat. Cook thawed fish immediately and throw away unused portions. You may safely cook and refreeze raw poultry if it has thawed but is still cold to the touch. Uncooked, whole poultry lasts about a year in your freezer, while cooked poultry retains its quality in the freezer for about four months.
Considerations
You may be considering cooking thawed meat and freezing it elsewhere because your freezer is suddenly not working. A fully packed freezer will safely keep food for about two days, provided you do not open the freezer door. Food in a half-full freezer will last about one day. You may choose to cook this food and store it at a friend's house. Do not use meat that has been warmer than 40 degrees F for more than two hours. Do not use food contaminated with raw meat juices.
Member Comments