Freezing is a great way to add more shelf life to ingredients and dishes that you don’t have room for in your freezer. But what about frozen meat? Many people, even those with well-stocked refrigerators, often wonder about the refrigerator shelf life of these proteins. Is it safe to eat 2-year-old frozen meat? Yes, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, it is safe to eat meat that is 2/3 or even 5 years old because the meat has been frozen at or below zero during this time.
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What Does Frozen Meat Mean?
Frozen meat is a food that is preserved by freezing. This process causes the cells in the meat to become stiff and dry, which makes the meat safe for long-term storage at low temperatures. Frozen meat can be safely stored in the refrigerator for years.
The main types of frozen meat are beef, pork, lamb, chicken, fish, and seafood.
To store meat in a freezer pack in an airtight container or vacuum-sealed bag, you should know how long it will take.
Freshness vs Safety of Frozen Meat for 2/3/5 Years
Frozen meat can stay fresh for up to 2-12 months, depending on what meat you’re considering. For example, raw beef, veal, lamb, and pork will stay fresh for up to 12 months, while raw ham will only stay fresh for 4 months.
Meat that has been stored for a long time may still be safe to eat, but may not be fresh. The main difference between fresh and safe meat is that fresh meat contains high levels of natural enzymes that help maintain its quality and flavor.
On the other hand, frozen meat loses most of these enzymes due to the freezing process.
Is Frozen Meat Less Nutritious than Fresh Meat?
Frozen meat is just as nutritious as fresh meat. This is because freezing preserves the nutritional content of the meat
Some people believe that meat loses its nutritional value once frozen. but it is not the truth. You can keep the meat in the refrigerator while still enjoying its nutritional benefits.
Is It Safe to Eat 2-Year-Old Frozen Meat
Maybe all of us would agree that two years of meat in the fridge is too long.
But is it still safe to eat it? Yes, the quality is still good considering it has gone through safe storage methods. According to the USDA, food that is kept at 0°F or lower at all times is safe.
Does Meat Go Bad in Freezer
In a well-functioning refrigerator, meat usually doesn’t go bad.
The main cause of the problem with frozen meat is the increased moisture within the meat during freezing,
This can cause ice crystals to form and damage cells. As a result, the meat becomes dry and hard, making it difficult to chew.
Signs of Bad Frozen Meat
There are several signs that the meat has gone bad. These include:
- strong smell
- dark
- soft texture (the freezer may malfunction)
- sticky texture or appearance
- green/brown discoloration
- discolored fat
The first sign that frozen raw meat has gone bad is its smell. You must never eat meat that has strong ammonia or rotten egg smell. This means that the meat is not stored properly.
The meat should look firm and dry. As mentioned, if you see any of these signs, then it means your meat has gone bad.
How Long Can You Safely Freeze Meat?
The advantage of freezing is that you can keep the meat indefinitely. However, it is important to note that the taste and texture of the meat may vary. The longer you freeze, the worse the quality of the meat.
Surprisingly, the meat is still safe because sub-zero temperatures prevent bacteria from growing, which prevents the meat from spoiling.
It’s important to remember that not all meat is created equal. I mean, how long the meat lasts in the refrigerator depends on the type of it.
For example, the chicken will last about 9-12 months as long as the temperature in the refrigerator stays below freezing.
On the other hand, ground meat will keep for 3-4 months in the refrigerator. Red meat, on the other hand, will keep for 4-12 months in the refrigerator.
Frozen commodities generally have a shorter lifespan in the freezer. Bacon and sausage will only last about 1-2 months in the refrigerator.
Likewise, the longer the meat is frozen, the more likely the quality of the meat will decline. Still, it’s safe to consume.
However, if the meat has an odor and an unpleasant appearance, it may be safer to discard it. Always consider your safety.
How to Properly Store and Freeze Meat
The biggest fear of storing meat in the freezer is the risk of freezer burns. Refrigerator burn occurs when meat is exposed to oxygen in the refrigerator, which dries out the meat and leaves noticeable white spots on the food. Fortunately, there is a way to avoid this, but it does require extra effort when you’re preparing the meat for storage.
- First, wrap your meat in plastic wrap or freezer paper, making sure to wrap it tightly to avoid air pockets. Remember, the air is the enemy.
- Now, wrap it in aluminum foil. This may seem like overkill, but you can thank me when you pull the meat out without any freezer burn marks.
- Finally, place the meat in a resealable bag in the refrigerator, making sure to write the date on the bag with a marker.
If you want to skip steps 2 and 3, just place the wrapped meat in a vacuum-sealable bag, seal, and write the date on it. Performing these two steps will also help avoid refrigerator burns.
This may seem like a lot of packaging, but it’s a great way to ensure fresh meat and avoid freezer burn. It only takes a few minutes to guarantee delicious meat when you need it! Also, I recommend avoiding any container for freezing meat. It may seal well outside the freezer, but low temperatures can cause the seal to leak, and in my own experience, airtight bags tend to hold food better.
Does Freezing Kill Bacteria in Meat
While some may be killed, freezing does not kill all pathogens. Many can survive years in the refrigerator.
However, freezing also has its limitations:
- Freezing destroys the texture and flavor of the meat.
- Freezing makes the meat hard and dry.
- Freezing may cause discoloration of the meat.
How to Thaw Frozen Meat?
If frozen meat has just come out of the freezer, you obviously need to defrost it before you can cook it. If you’re new, you may be wondering how to properly defrost frozen meat.
Well, there are many ways to thaw frozen meat. Here are some quick and easy tips:
- 1. Defrost in the refrigerator
The first and safest way is to thaw in the refrigerator. You just put frozen meat in the freezer a few hours before cooking time.
However, this requires planning. This is perfect if you will be using the meat the next day. Also, this works great if you’re defrosting larger pieces of meat. A day or two may be enough for the whole meat (turkey) to thaw in the fridge.
- 2. Frozen water
Another thawing method you can try is to use cold water. If you want a faster method of thawing, this method is for you.
All you need to do is submerge the frozen meat in cold water. Just make sure you change the cold water from time to time. The main purpose is to keep the water cold.
- 3. Microwave thawing
If you don’t have time and need to defrost meat quickly, the best way is to use the microwave. Most microwaves have a defrost function. You can easily set the time and defrost meat quickly.
The only downside to this method is that the outside of the meat can be cooked during the defrosting process. This is the main reason why this method of thawing is not popular. Most people (probably including you) don’t like to partially cook meat surfaces.
If you want to try this thawing method, be sure to read and follow the instructions for the microwave. This will help you thaw successfully.
My final suggestion is that the meat should be cooked right away after thawing.
- 4. Thaw in tap water
The last defrosting trick I can share with you is to use tap water. This is probably the easiest one.
You can place frozen meat under running water and wait until the meat is completely defrosted.
I can’t tell you which technology you should choose. What you want is up to you. Sometimes it depends on the availability of the required materials and your preference.
Final Thoughts
Most meats will last indefinitely in the refrigerator as long as the temperature remains below freezing. However, the taste and texture of the meat may vary.
Is it safe to eat frozen meat from 2 years ago? 2-year-old frozen meat is still safe to eat as long as it is kept at a constant freezing temperature. If the power outage is prolonged, it is best to cook the meat immediately. This is to keep it from being spoiled.