With the holiday season upon us, many are cooking more, possibly digging into their freezers to see what they can whip up for extra guests.
Ground beef is often considered a go-to ingredient for recipes but is also highly perishable. Cooks are encouraged to look for proper color, pay attention to funky odors, and avoid slimy and sticky textures, per Taste of Home.
Now is the time to remind ourselves about a few frozen ground beef basics.
Tips to properly thaw frozen ground beef
The safest method to thaw ground beef is in the refrigerator to prevent bacterial growth. Cook or refreeze within 1-2 days, according to the Food Safety and Inspection Service for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
To thaw more quickly, you can use the microwave or cold water. If you choose to microwave, cook it right away, as certain areas may begin to cook. For the cold water method, put the meat in a sealed bag and refresh the water every 30 minutes; cook it immediately afterward. Do not refreeze raw beef that has been thawed using this method without cooking it first.
The USDA recommends that ground beef or any perishables be left out at room temperature for over 2 hours (or 1 hour at 90°F).
Can you safely defrost meat that has been forgotten in your freezer?
The good news is that according to the USDA, meat that has been kept frozen can be safe to eat for a very long time, reported MUI Kitchen U.S.
But there’s a catch.
Even if the meat is safe to eat, it might not taste very good after a long time in the freezer. Over the months or years, the quality of the meat can change. When you finally defrost it, the texture might be strange, and the flavor could be bland, making it less enjoyable to eat.
When you freeze meat, ice crystals form and can change the meat at a tiny level that we can’t see. The meat’s color, acidity, and other properties can all change, which is usually not a problem if you eat it within a few months. However, those changes can make a big difference if it’s been in the freezer for a year or more.
To ensure the tastiest meat possible, try to use it within a few months of freezing it.
Tips for freezing ground beef
To preserve your frozen meat and reduce waste, wrap the packages securely and label them for easy identification.
Avoid relying on the small expiration dates printed on the packaging; these dates do not reflect how long the meat has been in the freezer and can easily fade.
Do not store meat in its original packaging. Instead, divide the meat based on your meal requirements and place it in airtight bags or containers, per MUI Kitchen U.S.
Use a Sharpie to mark the date it was put into the freezer on the new package.
The USDA adds this: “For longer freezer storage, wrap in heavy duty plastic wrap, aluminum foil, freezer paper or plastic bags made for freezing. Ground beef is safe indefinitely if kept frozen but will lose quality over time. It is best if used within 4 months. Mark your packages with the date they were placed in the freezer so you can keep track of storage.”