Freezer Life Of Beef Roast

Freezing a beef roast is a good way to economize on your food budget, as freezing allows you to take advantage of bargain prices by storing the meat in the freezer until you're ready to cook it. Frozen roast beef retains its quality and freshness between 9 and 12 months. You can also freeze cooked roast beef for up to four months. Proper packaging is the key to maintaining quality and avoiding dry, freezer-burned meat.

Packaging Fresh Roast

You can wrap a fresh beef roast over its original packaging, or you can remove the packaging. Either way, packaging the meat securely is key to a long freezer life. Trim excess fat, then wrap the meat securely in heavy-duty aluminum foil, heavy plastic wrap or freezer paper. Wrap the roast securely so no air can reach the meat. For additional protection, double- or triple-wrap the roast, then slide the package into a large plastic freezer bag.

Thawing Frozen Beef Roast

Thawing a frozen beef roast in the refrigerator is the safest method. Plan ahead, as thawing a large roast may take up to two full days. A defrosted roast is safe in the refrigerator for up to five days. Thawing a beef roast in cold water is a faster method. Wrap the roast in airtight packaging, then place the roast in a bowl or sink filled with cold water. Add fresh cold water every 30 minutes. Allow one to three hours, depending on the size of the roast. Alternatively, you can put a frozen roast directly in a preheated oven. Roasting a frozen roast requires 50 percent more time than roasting a thawed roast. Test the roast with a meat thermometer. Cook the meat until the thickest part of the roast registers at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit -- the minimum temperature needed to kill bacteria.

Packaging Cooked Roast

To freeze cooked roast, place the roast in an airtight freezer container or plastic freezer bag. Don't overfill the container or bag, as the meat expands when it freezes. For best results, cover the meat with broth or gravy, as cooked meat dries out faster than fresh meat. The liquid keeps the meat moist by preventing exposure to air.

Reheating Cooked Roast

Heat frozen, cooked meat in the oven or a saucepan. If the meat is covered with liquid, heat it until the liquid reaches a full boil. You can also reheat roast beef in the microwave, but stir or turn the meat often to ensure that all parts of the roast heat evenly. Check the roast with a meat thermometer before serving. To be safe, cook the meat until the thermometer registers at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit when inserted into the thickest part of the meat.