How long meat in freezer

Most pre-packed foods carry either a "use by" or a "best before" date. It can be dangerous to eat foods past this date. They show how long the food will be at its best. Food can look and smell fine even after its "use by" date but that does not mean it's safe to eat.

It could still contain bugs that could make you ill. Eating food past its "best before" date is not dangerous, but the food may not be good quality. Anything with a high water content like strawberries and tomatoes will go squishy but are still fine to cook with.

Place food in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in freezer bags or similar before placing in the freezer otherwise the cold air will dry it out. Eggs are best stored in the fridge as they are kept at a constant temperature. Eggs can also be frozen. There are 2 ways to freeze eggs:. You can safely store a boiled egg in the fridge for a couple of days. Boiled eggs can also be frozen. It's important to store meat safely in the fridge to stop bacteria from spreading and avoid food poisoning.

Make sure meat is properly wrapped in the freezer or it might get freezer burn, which can make it tough and inedible. Date and label meat in the freezer and eat it within 24 hours of defrosting. You can freeze meat for a long time and it will still be safe to eat, but the quality will deteriorate so it's best to eat it within 3 to 6 months.

Do not worry if it's frozen for longer — try marinating it before cooking to improve texture or use herbs and spices to add flavour. Never refreeze raw meat including poultry or fish that has been defrosted.

The more often you open your freezer, the more likely you are to lose temperature. This is partially for food safety reasons, and partially for reheating reasons. If a package says to thaw before cooking, then you can thaw it in the refrigerator. Thawing meat out on the kitchen counter is a big no-no. Meat that is left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours or 1 hour in the summer can grow dangerous bacteria. This is the slowest but safest way to thaw frozen meat.

For small items, an overnight thaw will usually be sufficient. For a large piece of meat, plan for one day of thaw time for every five pounds of meat. Thawing meat in cold water is faster than the refrigerator, and the cool temperature prevents rapid bacteria growth.

Make sure your food is in a leak-proof package and submerge it completely in cold water. Change the water every 30 minutes to make sure it stays cold during the thawing process.

Using the microwave is the fastest way to thaw frozen meat, but this method is best reserved for mid-sized cuts, like thick steaks and chicken pieces. To use this method, take the meat out of the package and place it on a plate or other microwave-safe surface. Follow the instructions on your microwave to defrost based on weight and be sure to check the progress often, turning the meat to ensure even thaw.

Learn more about storing ground beef and how long ground beef can stay in the fridge with these tips. Chicken and turkey — whether whole or in pieces — last about 1—2 days in the fridge. Learn more about how long chicken can last in the fridge or freezer or how long turkey can last in the fridge or freezer with these food storing tips. If you have leftovers that include cooked meat or poultry, those will stay good in the fridge for 3—4 days, and can be kept in the freezer for 2—6 months.

Curious about how to freeze meat long-term while avoiding freezer burn? According to the USDA, you should never thaw meat on the counter or in hot water, nor should you leave it at room temperature for more than 2 hours. The best way to thaw meat is to move the frozen package from the freezer onto a plate and into the fridge, and then let it thaw gradually.

This method requires some planning ahead, as it can take a full day for meat to thaw in the fridge. Need to thaw meat fast to cook it the same day?