Shelf Life Of Frozen Meat
Fresh meat is a very perishable food. Freezing allows us to extend the shelf life of meat, while preserving its quality and nutrients. However, we need to consider a few important things that will allow us to enjoy a quality product for a longer period of time. What is the shelf life of frozen meat?
Freezing preserves food for long periods of time, as it prevents the development of pathogenic microorganisms that can cause spoilage or disease. This way, the food can last a long time in the freezer without spoiling.
However, there are always limits. It is important to understand that even when frozen, food does not remain in perfect condition forever.
What is the shelf life of frozen meat?
Tips for keeping meat quality intact
It is important to pay attention to the freezing conditions of the meat, as this will help us to defrost it properly. It is useless to preserve it well if we end up destroying it when it comes to thawing.
Frozen meat must be thawed cold. It is not a good idea to leave it at room temperature or near a heat source to speed up the process. This may encourage the growth of pathogenic bacteria, according to research published in the journal Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases.
The best way to defrost frozen meat is to leave it in the fridge for about 24 hours. Or, if you haven’t planned in advance, you can use the microwave defrost function.
What you need to keep in mind is that once thawed, the meat must be cooked immediately. As they approach temperatures between 39 and 43 degrees, the bacteria present before the frost begin to multiply.
If, after cooking, you do not eat all the meat immediately, you can freeze the remaining pieces. But never freeze raw food that has already been thawed!
