How to choose the right purchase
When choosing minced meat in a store, you should pay attention to 4 main indicators: the presence of juice, consistency, smell and color. Some of them, alas, cannot be verified.
If sold in unopened original packaging.
Colour
Most types of minced meat and poultry have a delicate pink color. The exception is a product made from horse meat and beef - it has a more pronounced red tint. If the minced meat is gray or greenish, you should not buy it.
Consistency
Minced meat and fish should be soft and knead well with your hands. If excessive dryness is present and it looks crumbly, this indicates that it has been on the counter for a long time. Such a product is simply dry and weathered and may already have the first signs of spoilage.
Juice
Fresh minced meat should not contain a lot of moisture or blood. If juice began to appear in it, this indicates that the product was prepared a long time ago, or low-quality raw materials were used in its manufacture. An exception is minced fish, which, on the contrary, should have a small amount of moisture.
Smell
The smell of minced meat and fish should be nice. The presence of notes of acid, chlorine or other chemical elements in the smell may indicate its preparation from rotten meat, in which they tried to hide the notes that betray spoilage.
How much marinated meat is stored in the refrigerator
Marinade either preserves the meat or accelerates its souring. In any case, store the semi-finished product in the cold. At temperatures above +5 degrees, microorganisms begin to multiply actively. Lowering below 0 degrees slows down the marinating process.
How much to store pickled meat:
- up to 48 hours in kefir. Also based on other fermented milk products - sour cream, ayran, fermented baked milk;
- 5 days in a sauce based on wine, vinegar without adding onions;
- up to 72 hours with mayonnaise and spices;
- 2 days with tomatoes, onions, other vegetables;
- 3 days with soy sauce, honey, mustard;
- 12 hours with mineral water.
How long marinated kebab meat can be stored in the refrigerator also depends on the freshness of the additives. If kefir begins to peroxide, tomatoes are overripe, onions are frozen or not fresh, this will shorten the shelf life of all ingredients.
Shelf life of meat in the freezer
Now it is clear how much meat is stored in the refrigerator on a regular shelf. It is worth moving on to the main question - how long can you keep it in the freezer.
Lamb, beef, pork, and other red meats in whole chunks lie between 4 and 12 months. The term varies greatly, here the temperature is the decisive condition:
- The product is stored at -24 degrees for a whole year.
- Up to eight months, the meat will lie at -17.
- A temperature of -12 will measure the product for a minimum period of 4 months.
Someone has a bird on the table more often. Knowing how much chicken can be stored in the freezer, an experienced hostess will not overexpose it there and will have time to prepare a tasty and healthy dish. If whole carcasses are harvested, the timing is as follows:
- turkey and chicken can be frozen for eight months;
- waterfowl (goose, duck) - for six months.
Diet rabbit is also not recommended to be stored for more than six months.
The optimum temperature for white meat is -12 to -18 degrees. If it is frozen divided into portions, then the period is reduced by half.
Any minced meat, even at low negative temperatures, loses its properties much faster than a whole product. The duration of its storage is approximately 4 months. The purchased semi-finished product sent to the freezer must be with the production date.If it is not there, it should be cooked as quickly as possible.
There are times when it is impossible to say with certainty how much chicken is stored in the freezer or beef, for example. Many do not make life difficult for themselves by signing bags. Therefore, it is better to increase the time of heat treatment of "doubtful" stocks in order to protect health. Spicy herbs will help hide the smell of an old product, if any.
Fundamental rules
The less boiled meat is stored, the more benefit it will have. This is the basic rule. If we are talking about the product on which the broth was cooked, then you can keep it for two days. If it is taken out of the broth, the shelf life is reduced by a day. Soup meat can be frozen. This will allow you to keep it for up to two weeks without losing its taste. But after defrosting, the product must be re-cooked, for example stewed.
Fried meat without loss of taste is stored only in the refrigerator. It is better to wrap it in food foil beforehand. In this way, the product can be kept for up to three days at a temperature not higher than +4 degrees.
The timing of how much cooked meat can be stored in the refrigerator depends on several factors:
- The type of meat plays an important role. The fatter it is, the faster it deteriorates.
- Duration of heat treatment. Jellied meat can be stored for the longest, up to six days.
- The shelf life increases with the amount of salt.
Consistency
The freshness of the product can be checked by pressing the pulp with a special fork, which is available from each seller. If the meat has just gone on sale, then the integrity of the surface will quickly be restored, but if it has been stored for a long time, then the dent will remain for a long time. In addition, the piece may appear "dry" in appearance, but if cut, a clear liquid will flow from the cut of the fresh product.
In order to distinguish fresh pulp from previously frozen when buying, you also just need to press on its surface. The product, which has not previously been frozen, is distinguished by the fact that the place of pressure is very quickly smoothed out. Thawed meat does not have such an elastic structure, which is why the hole lasts for a long time and its filling with liquid indicates that the piece has already been in the freezer.
Several storage rules
- Do not wash the beef before storing it in the refrigerator. Washed meat will spoil faster.
- A large piece of meat will last longer than finely chopped meat.
- A piece of beef processed into minced meat will spoil faster.
- If the meat is removed from the bones, it stays fresher longer.
- Wrap the veal in a cloth dampened with vinegar for longer shelf life.
- To preserve the beef for longer, it is frozen immediately after purchase, rather than put on the refrigerator shelf.
- Do not re-freeze.
- Refrigerated meat can be stored in a sealed plastic container and should be used as soon as possible.
- On the top shelf of the refrigerator, at a temperature of + 4 ° C, you can store beef for no more than 24 hours.
- Do not store minced meat open in the refrigerator. It is best to place it in a plastic food container with a lid. If such utensils are not available, you can use a bag or wrap the food in foil (film).
- After defrosting, beef can be kept on the refrigerator shelf for no more than 2 days.
Proper storage of beef is an opportunity to eat fresh, high-quality product without fear, getting all the nutrients contained in this meat.
Increase in terms
The shelf life of meat products is increasing, mainly due to a decrease in temperature.
Cold preservation
Freezing involves a decrease in the temperature level by 1-2 ° C compared to cryoscopic (-2 -3 ° C). In this state of aggregation, meat is stored 2-3 times longer than chilled.
Duration of freezing meat at -25⁰С:
- beef: 6-10 hours;
- pork: 4-8 hours;
- lamb: 2-3 hours.
At -18 ° C, the process takes one and a half to two times as long.At the next stage, the frozen meat is kept in a chamber at -2 ° C for a day. Meat processed in this way remains safe and of high quality for much longer than chilled food.
Freezing
Ice-cream meat and meat products (with a temperature in the thickness of the muscles not higher than -8⁰С) can only be stored in a freezer or industrial freezers. Technologists use single-phase and two-phase freezing:
- With single-phase, fresh meat is frozen.
- The two-phase approach involves pre-cooling the product.
In the first case, the organoleptic properties change much less, therefore this method is preferable. Freeze meat at a temperature from -23⁰C to -35⁰C and a relative humidity of 90-92%. If forced air circulation is provided in the chamber, the freezing process is faster.
The specific storage times in freezers depend on the type of frozen food and temperature conditions:
A kind of meat product | Shelf life at temperature, о С, months | |||
– 21 | – 18 | – 15 | – 12 | |
Beef and lamb meat: | ||||
Category 1 | 18 | 12 | 9 | 6 |
Category 2 | 15 | 10 | 7 | 5 |
Pork | ||||
with skin | 15 | 10 | 7 | 5 |
skinless | 12 | 8 | 6 | 4 |
Chicken, chickens, turkey, game | 15 | 10 | 7 | 5 |
Waterfowl meat | 12 | 8 | 6 | 4 |
Poultry offal | up to 4 - 6 months |
Additional processing
In addition to low temperatures, manufacturers use various types of processing of meat products. The use of carbon dioxide, ozone, ultraviolet radiation and other types of radiation can completely stop or temporarily reduce the growth of pathogenic microflora. Processed food stays fresh longer.
Other ways
Other methods to increase shelf life include:
- cooling with the application of dispersed water to the surface;
- applying monoglyceride cling film to carcasses and half carcasses;
- freezing in a chamber with double-circuit air circulation;
- super fast cooling;
- shock freezing;
- ice shielding of refrigerating chambers;
- the use of fabrics glazed with an ice crust;
- covering stacks with clean snow and ice.
Knowing the expiration date and shelf life of food products is very important for the buyer. About what periods and storage conditions, as well as expiration dates for chocolate, honey, sugar, bread, coffee or tea, wine or champagne, you can find out in separate publications on our Internet portal .. Proper storage of meat and meat products - an aspect extremely important
Perishable foods react to the slightest changes in conditions, and can lose their useful properties, as well as become hazardous to health. To maintain the freshness and safety of perishable food, it is important to comply with the statutory storage times and conditions.
Proper storage of meat and meat products is an extremely important aspect. Perishable foods react to the slightest changes in conditions, and may lose their useful properties, as well as become hazardous to health.
To maintain the freshness and safety of perishable food, it is important to comply with the statutory storage times and conditions.
How long and under what conditions should meat products be kept in stores?
According to Section 9 of TR CU 034/2013, manufacturers and distributors must store meat products in compliance with the requirements of the relevant technical regulations.
The conditions and terms of storage of meat and meat products are described in detail in the letter of the Glavgostorginspektsiya RSFSR No. 23-1-6 / 52n dated July 21, 1987.
Temperature
The temperature in the thickness of the muscle layer of the chilled product should be maintained within the range from 0⁰С to + 4⁰С.
Chilled meat:
- beef (half carcasses and quarters) - 16 days;
- veal (half carcasses) - 12 days;
- lamb (carcasses) - 12 days;
- pork (half carcasses) - 12 days.
The indicated periods are valid for specially equipped industrial chambers in which the meat is stored in a suspended state (the gap between the carcasses is 20-30 mm), at a relative humidity of 85% and a temperature from 0⁰C to 2⁰C.This temperature allows you to maintain the original organoleptic properties of the product and the normal appearance of the parts of the carcass. Under appropriate conditions, a transparent dry film is formed on the surface of the meat - "drying crust".
Chilled by-products are sorted by type (heart, kidney, tongue, liver, brain) and stored on separate baking sheets placed on the refrigerator shelves. The storage temperature of offal does not differ from the storage temperature of the corresponding type of meat.
Frozen meat:
- all varieties and varieties in stacks and hanging - 20 days;
- offal - 2 days;
- poultry and game - up to 5 days.
Frozen meat products are stored at a temperature of - 2⁰C and a relative humidity of 90%.
Camera requirements
Each industrial refrigerator must be maintained at a temperature appropriate to the type and condition of the meat product. The compartment is equipped with tinned hooks that are attached to metal rods under the ceiling. The hooks hold carcasses and parts of carcasses of cooled, chilled and frozen meat (beef, pork and lamb).
Carcasses and half carcasses suspended for storage should not come into contact with any surfaces.
Frozen meat in small cuts and blocks weighing no more than 20 kg is laid out on racks. By-products and poultry are sorted and stored on trays located on the shelves.
Compliance with the principles of correct location, neighborhood and storage conditions for food products in refrigerators, freezers and other places at home and in the store is described in detail in a separate article.
How much can you keep in the refrigerator
Meat is a perishable product, therefore microbacteria actively develop in it at room temperature. The fact that the meat has begun to deteriorate will be prompted by an unpleasant odor and mucus that appears on the surface. The spoiled product becomes lighter and then greener. If you buy fresh meat, for example, on a farm, then it is better not to cook it immediately after the slaughter of livestock. It should lie down for 48-72 hours to become softer, juicier and easier for the body to digest. Naturally, it is better to cook the meat on the day of purchase, however, usually, fresh meat is harvested for future use, which means that only a little is cooked on the same day. To keep the meat for a long time, it is placed in the refrigerator.
On a note!
Meat can be stored in the refrigerator without freezing on the bottom shelf for 48 hours, if it is a tenderloin of adult animals, and if it is from young animals, then 24 hours.
Before storing, it is necessary to separate the pulp from the bones, this will keep it fresh longer. Do not store next to other products, this will negatively affect the shelf life. When you plan to store it in the refrigerator, it is wrong to put it on a wooden board that absorbs the juice. It is good to use ceramic, glass, plastic boards for this. You can store chilled meat at 0-1 ° C for 72 hours.
Fresh
Raw meat is stored in the refrigerator for no more than 7 days. Vinegar essence will help. This requires 9% vinegar and cotton cloth. The material is dipped and a piece is wrapped in it. The package is placed in a tight-fitting container. There are several other ways to preserve meat without a freezer. Here are the most effective and popular ones:
- Nettle or bird cherry leaves. The product is covered with only collected herbs and wrapped in a wet cloth. The workpiece in this form will last up to 48 hours.
- The honey-milk composition will help to postpone spoilage for several days. It is necessary to completely fill the product with honey or raw (not boiled) milk.
- Salt removes microbacteria perfectly. The pack is diluted in a liter or two of water (depending on the amount of fresh meat). Pieces of 0.2 kg, wrapped in parchment paper, are placed in this solution. So the freshness is maintained for 48-72 hours.
Whichever of the proposed methods is chosen, before using the product, it is necessary to rinse well with clean water.If there is frozen meat, then it is correct to store it by slowing down the defrosting process. For this, thermal packs or foil are used. Then wrap the meat piece in a large number of towels. This will create a thermos effect.
After defrosting
Frozen meat must not be defrosted using the microwave or hot water. This will make the product not tasty and hard. Defrost properly at room temperature. It will take more time, but the cooked dish will be juicy and tasty. Therefore, if you want to cook meat in the morning, then you need to defrost it at night. And if cooking is planned for dinner, you need to get a piece from the freezer with a sutra.
On a note!
If you need to defrost a little meat, but it is too hot at home and a person is afraid to leave it on the table, then it is correct to put it from the freezer into the refrigerator, where it will thaw.
Defrosting takes 12-16 hours and must be done right before the start of cooking. It is better not to store in the refrigerator after defrosting.
How to freeze meat in the freezer?
The main mistake that is made when freezing at home is the size of the piece. The larger it is, the longer it will harden, which means the higher the chance that the structure will be damaged and, as a result, the juiciness will suffer.
A large piece takes up a lot of space in the freezer, and it is unlikely that you will be able to use it whole at a time, most likely you will have to cut and freeze it again, and this will lead to a loss of useful qualities and taste.
For these reasons, it is better to immediately divide a large cut into several small grams of 300. You need to store it in sealed packages - plastic containers or specialized bags. Alternatively, you can wrap the meat first in foil, and then in cling film, but then it can become saturated with extraneous odors.
If you bought minced meat for future use, then pack it in bags, squeezing out the air and fold it in layers in the freezer. Do not forget to sign the freeze date on the package so as not to miss the end of the shelf life, otherwise there is a risk of getting a spoiled product.
Shelf life of frozen meat
Of course, it is better to process meat bought in a retail network or from a farmer right away, preparing a tasty and satisfying dish. But if the piece is large, then it can be stored in the freezer in a frozen state.
In order for the product to retain its useful properties, you need to know how to properly freeze meat:
- it is not recommended to wash it, otherwise it will deteriorate faster;
- large pieces are stored longer, but for convenience, you can divide the pulp into portions;
- each piece must be carefully wiped off with a paper towel or napkins;
- put portions for freezing in plastic bags, having previously released air from them;
- place tightly in layers in the freezer.
There are norms for how much meat can be stored in the freezer, depending on the temperature regime and the type of meat product:
Type of meat | T -12 ˚С | T -18 ˚С | T -20 ˚С | T -25 ˚C |
Beef, per month |
8121418
Pork, per month
36712
Lamb, per month
6101112
If fresh meat cannot be found, then you can buy frozen food. At the same time, the product that has undergone shock freezing has better nutritional properties.
You can freeze portions of meat in a film, but you need to keep fresh in the refrigerator without a film
But freezing is half the battle, because then you need to defrost it correctly. And although storing meat at the lowest possible temperatures allows you to preserve useful substances, defrosting in hot water or the microwave can spoil the product. Why?
This will cause the meat to become tough, dry and taste worse. You need to defrost the product gradually - this will preserve its juiciness and good taste. There are several ways:
- A piece in a vacuum package is transferred from the freezer to the refrigerator. It thaws during the day. At the same time, a large amount of blood should not be released from the pulp - this indicates that the product was incorrectly frozen;
- A piece in a package is placed in a deep container (bowl) filled with cold water, regularly cooling the liquid. Within a few hours, it will thaw out, preserving the entire list of vitamins and useful elements. If the meat was not frozen in a vacuum package, then the piece must be carefully wrapped in cling film (several layers) and thawed in water in this way;
- The portion is left to thaw at room temperature. It will not take long (about 4-5 hours), however, bacteria can become active in the liquid released from the meat during defrosting (in case the meat was of poor quality), so think about whether this method is so safe.
You can store the thawed pulp in the refrigerator for 2 days, you cannot re-freeze the meat, as this not only impairs the taste, but also has a detrimental effect on the nutritional value.
Knowing the shelf life of beef, pork and lamb will always help the hostess to feed her family members tasty and satisfying quality products.
Folk ways of preserving meat products
That's right - but you can freeze eggs! And even necessary!
Just like stews, boiled meat can be stored for two to three days after cooking. In order for the products to lie longer, use:
- a bowl with a lid;
- lemon juice;
- Apple vinegar;
- wet cloth with salt.
If we sprinkle boiled meat with lemon juice, then it will lie on the shelf for 1 day longer. You can also moisten the cloth with a strong saline solution and wrap the prepared pieces with the material - then they can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The shelf life can be increased using any of the methods described above - the product will last longer.
Sometimes it is not necessary to freeze a fresh chunk if you want to use it after a couple of days.
According to the folk recipe, a piece can be preserved longer if it is poured with cow's milk. The storage time in such a case is increased by a couple of days.
Have you tried pouring milk on meat before?
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It is important to know how much fresh and cooked beef is stored in the refrigerator, and how to properly take care of the product.
How many days can you store different types of meat in the freezer?
Industrial freezers can store any food for decades, but the standard home freezer has a tighter time frame and needs to be handled with caution.
- Cattle product (pork, beef or lamb) should be kept frozen for 4 months to a year.
- Poultry (whole chicken, goose, etc.) can spoil faster. It can be kept in the freezer for a maximum of a year, but after 8-9 months the taste is lost.
- Poultry meat (chicken, turkey, duck), chopped into pieces, can lie quietly for up to 8 months.
- How long minced meat can lie in the freezer even at the lowest temperature is more difficult to predict. Any chilled food (minced meat, offal) has already been in the store for some time. The approximate shelf life of frozen minced meat is 4 months, but you always need to check the expiration date on the package and subtract about a month in your mind. Supermarkets often sin by re-sticking stickers with the date of manufacture if something is stale.
We store salted and dried fish in the refrigerator
Dried fish:
* Dried fish can be stored for a rather long time, since the salt used in its preparation acts as a preservative.
* Use heavyweight wrapping paper to wrap the dried fish, then place the fish in a dry, cool place out of the sun.
* If you do not have wrapping paper, you can use a tin or glass jar, which must be covered with a lid.
* In hot weather, it is better to keep the fish in the freezer to keep it longer.
If you properly dry the fish and then store it according to the above rules, then it will be able to maintain its taste for a whole year.
Helpful advice: Do not wrap the fish in newspaper, as the ink used to print words and images contains lead.
Salty fish:
Fish can be salted at home or you can buy salted fish. Moreover, in the store you can find various varieties of such fish.
If you want to keep salted fish longer, store it in brine. The shelf life depends on the amount of salt you will use during harvesting.
Conditions and terms of storage of meat in the freezer
In order to preserve the meat for a long time, it is important to choose a quality product. To do this, be sure to consider whether the product is displayed correctly on the counter, whether the food neighborhood is observed and under what conditions the products are sold.
Pay attention to the color and smell of the meat. A good product on the cut shines, has a uniform saturated color, transparent juice and fresh aroma, and when pressed with a finger, it quickly restores structure
To keep meat in the freezer, follow basic freezing guidelines.
Store meat in small portions. So before cooking, you do not have to defrost the entire piece, but you can get the required amount of product.
Before freezing, cut the meat into small pieces and pack in portions. This will significantly save cooking time and extend the shelf life of the product, since it does not have to be thawed several times.
Blot the meat with a dry cloth before freezing to remove excess moisture. Wrap the individual pieces in plastic wrap, paper, or foil and place in zip-lock bags. Be sure to stick stickers indicating the type of meat and the date of freezing, which will allow you to control the shelf life of the product. Place food in the freezer at the optimum temperature.
The allowed storage time for meat in the freezer depends on the type of meat. Lamb and beef have a long saving period - 1 year. A whole chicken carcass can be stored for about the same. However, you need to understand that after 8-9 months the bird loses its taste. Pork and chicken cut into pieces are kept in the freezer for 8 months, while duck, goose and rabbit are kept for 6 months.
Frozen giblets and minced meat (not seasoned with onions, spices, etc.) can be left in the freezer for 4 months. And homemade sausage should not be frozen for more than 2 months.
The shelf life of meat products depends on the type of meat, the size of the pieces and its freshness. For long-term storage, choose only high-quality products and follow the basic recommendations for preparing the workpiece
When freezing meat, consider not only its type and quality, but also the temperature (minus). Information on how long frozen meat can be stored at different temperatures is presented in the form of a table:
Temperature, ℃ | Storage periods |
‒4…0 | 48 hours |
‒12… ‒8 | 4 months |
‒18… ‒12 | 8 months |
below ‒18 | 12 months |
What to do if the electricity is cut off
A power outage and therefore the freezer may affect the shelf life of frozen meat.
Modern household freezers (freezers complete with a refrigerator, having separate doors, or independent devices), if they are not opened very often, are able to maintain a constant temperature for a day or a half (the most "advanced" models - up to several days). Of course, this is only possible if the electrical appliance is in good condition and the heat-insulating gaskets are in good condition. The filling of the chamber also matters (the more food in the freezer, the longer the cold lasts).
In addition, experienced housewives place special "cold accumulators" in freezers (hermetically sealed containers with a refrigerant solution), which, when the electricity is turned off, maintain the temperature in the chamber. These devices are commercially available and inexpensive.
Suppose you have a force majeure and need to do something with a melting product. Rub vinegar or citric acid on top to avoid unpleasant odors and spoilage. You can also dip the meat in concentrated salt solution or cold curdled milk.(These methods will keep stocks up to 10 hours.)
Features of boiled meat storage
Breathing is also harmful. True, sausages are still more harmful
It is recommended to adhere to several rules that will extend the shelf life of your dishes:
- Fatty varieties will deteriorate faster.
- It is not recommended to defrost and re-freeze the food.
To do this, it is divided into portioned pieces, which are folded in separate bags or wrapped in cling film.
- If the dish is salty, it will last longer than a product without salt.
- Minced meat is stored at a temperature of -3 degrees for no more than two days.
- The shelf life of boiled beef depends on the cooking time.
The longer boiled meat is cooked, the longer it can be stored in the refrigerator. Within certain limits, of course.
For example, the hostess's jellied meat is boiled for several hours, and it can stand on the refrigerator shelf for about five days.
Such "cookies" will definitely be healthier than sausages!
A boiled slice of beef is kept in a leaky sealed enamel container for about three days. Air must go to the piece so that an unpleasant smell does not appear.
How long can frozen beef or pork be stored? Both types of meat are stored in the freezer for about 8-10 months.
It is important to defrost in a natural way, in no case use hot water or other heating. This way the piece will retain its nutritional value.
Read on:
Shelf life of fried cooked meat in the refrigerator
Proper storage conditions and shelf life for fresh chilled meat
Freezing ready-made meat - boiled, stewed, fried
Shelf life of boiled beets in the refrigerator
Rules for storing dishes with chicken in the refrigerator and freezer
Shelf life of pickled meat
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Storage of semi-finished products and finished products
Semi-finished and ready-to-eat foods spoil much faster than fresh foods, so they can be stored much less in the refrigerator:
- Pure minced meat without any additives will lie chilled for the whole day. If you add onion or other additives to the finished minced meat, it is not recommended to store it at a temperature of +2 - +4 for more than 4-5 hours. Minced meat can be stored in the freezer for 3-4 months, provided that it is carefully packed in plastic wrap.
- Boiled. Boiled blanks can safely lie under the freezer for three days. Before laying, they must be removed from the broth and allowed to drain off excess liquid, then put in a container and covered with a lid to avoid chapping. It is not recommended to freeze boiled meat, as after defrosting its taste will deteriorate.
- Pickled. The marinated semi-finished product retains its properties for about 7 days, provided that there is no onion in the marinade.It is not recommended to put it in the freezer.
- In a vacuum. Vacuum packing allows you to increase the shelf life of a semi-finished product several times.Chilled meat in vacuum packing can be stored for up to 6 days. It will stay in the freezer for up to one and a half years.
The taste of the prepared dishes depends on the correct freezing of products. Therefore, you need to try to follow all the rules for storing and freezing meat products.
What factors affect the shelf life
The key factors affecting the shelf life of minced meat or vegetables in the refrigerator are cooking conditions, temperature conditions, packaging and ingredients used. To achieve the maximum shelf life of the freshness of the product, you should correctly combine them with each other.
Conditions
During cooking, care must be taken to ensure that all dishes are clean and free of food debris. They can cause the fermentation process, which will lead to rapid deterioration of the finished product.
The second point is maintaining the desired temperature in the refrigerator. In the refrigerator compartment, the temperature should range up to +4 degrees Celsius, and in the freezer - within -18 degrees.
Package
A regular food bag or parchment is perfect for storing a home-made product. It is advisable to put the stuffing packed in this way in a metal container or plate. This will protect the package from absorbing foreign odors and leaking.
If the minced meat was bought in a store, the best solution would be to leave the original packaging. It allows you to track exactly when a product was prepared and is ideal for storing it.
Composition
Minced meat can contain not only meat or poultry, but also vegetable additives. Therefore, the shelf life of the semi-finished product may vary depending on the ingredients used. If the resulting product has a very short shelf life, it is best to start preparing the dish from it right away.
How to keep meat frozen
When the longest storage period is required, properly freeze raw meat in the freezer. Beforehand, the product must be thoroughly wiped off and placed in a PE bag, from which try to release air. It is forbidden to wash the meat piece, otherwise the product will deteriorate. Large pieces are stored for a longer time, however, if you usually use small portions, then correctly cut the piece into the required number of pieces. This way you can defrost only the required amount of meat, and avoid repeated freezing, which will negatively affect the organoleptic properties of the product.
On a note!
You can freeze the product in another way. To do this, you need to send a piece to the freezer, and when it hardens, take it out, pour it over with cold water and put it back in the freezer.
From this, an ice crust is formed, it will protect against moisture freezing, will help not to lose juiciness. To avoid a cold burn during freezing, the product must be properly prepared and packaged before being sent to storage:
- Meat and poultry are allowed to be frozen in packaging from the supermarket, but you must make sure that the product is tightly wrapped and air does not penetrate. Use PE bags or foil (aluminum) intended for a freezer (you need to read the label on the package) to wrap the blanks.
- You can use a vacuum packing tool to remove the air. Vacuum tools come in different types, models and prices, and you will need special bags (purchased separately) to store your food.
- Freezer containers are suitable.
- You can use thick wrappers, foil, PE freezer bags.
- Before freezing, it is necessary to remove as many bones as possible, they only take up extra space and lead to the formation of a frost burn.
Freezer paper is placed between meat slices or cutlets, so that later it is easier to take for cooking. Frozen beef or other type of meat, poultry has a certain shelf life.
Optimum temperature
Compliance with the temperature regime allows you to preserve food for a long time. The storage temperature of meat can vary within different limits. A solid piece can be left on the shelf at t:
- 4-7 degrees Celsius - for 1-2 days;
- 0-4 degrees of heat - for 3 days;
- -2-0 degrees - for 4 days.
The temperature regime in the refrigerator must not be violated. Also, beef and pork can be put in the freezer for 30 days at a temperature of -7 degrees. You can store goulash on ice. It will help keep food fresh.
The marinated goulash should be stored at a temperature of 0- + 3 degrees. Lemon juice, a lot of spices and salt are put in the marinade. All these components help keep the goulash at the right temperature for a long time. The pulp can also be pickled with onions and left in the refrigerator for a couple of days.
The freezer is a device with air circulation.This is the optimal technique for preserving the tenderloin. In the chamber, poultry, beef and pork retain all their vitamins and amino acids, do not lose their taste and properties. Freeze the product in the freezer compartment very quickly. The food should be divided into portions before placing it in the freezer. For long-term storage in the refrigerator, you can simply freeze the whole piece.
Shelf life of meat in the freezer