Link to how long meats last in freezer--click here.
It's perfectly safe to freeze meats in its original packaging; but if you're planning to keep it in your freezer for longer than two months, the FDA recommends that you overwrap these packages with airtight heavy-duty packaging such as foil, plastic wrap, or freezer paper — or you can just place the package inside a plastic bag, too.
When it comes to fresh meat like beef, veal, or lamb, you should know that these foods can last for several months in the freezer, depending on what type of meat they are. Specifically, the FDA says that raw steaks can be kept in the freezer for six to 12 months. Chops, however, last shorter at four to six months while roasts can be kept frozen from anywhere between four months to a year.
Not sure if your fish is lean or fatty? Common lean fish include bass, cod, tuna, and tilapia, while fatty fish include anchovies, mackerel, salmon, and sardines. (If your fish is not on this list, you can find a comprehensive list at Berkeley Wellness). Other fresh seafood such as shrimp, scallops, crawfish, and squid should last three to six months in the freezer.
Ground Meat
Whether your type of raw ground meat is beef, turkey, lamb, or veal — or any other mixtures of them — you shouldn't have it in the freezer for longer than three to four months. (The same goes for hamburger meat!)
I looked this up because yesterday I threw out a bunch of frozen meat I had in the freezer. I had the experience of having left some chicken in the freezer too long and it was a yucky texture when I finally cooked it. It didn't make me sick but was disgusting to me none the less. Now I don't keep meat in the fridge for a long time not even as long as this article suggests. It's because it just doesn't taste as good after a few to several months. So I keep stuff for up to 3 mos. at the most now.
How should I be storing meat in the freezer?
Before you go stock up on all types of meat, it's important to first know how to safely and properly store meat in your freezer. First, you should make sure that you're freezing the meat — and all other frozen foods — at a temperature of 0° Fahrenheit or lower; this is the temperature that keeps food safe by preventing the growth of microorganisms and inactivating any microbes (such as bacteria, yeasts and molds) present in food, according to the USDA.It's perfectly safe to freeze meats in its original packaging; but if you're planning to keep it in your freezer for longer than two months, the FDA recommends that you overwrap these packages with airtight heavy-duty packaging such as foil, plastic wrap, or freezer paper — or you can just place the package inside a plastic bag, too.
How long does frozen meat last?
Poultry
According to the FDA, whole chickens and turkeys can last in the freezer up to a year. If you're freezing poultry pieces such as turkey or chicken breasts, thighs, or wings, however, they should be consumed within nine months, while giblets should be kept no longer than three to four months.Beef, Veal, & Lamb
When it comes to fresh meat like beef, veal, or lamb, you should know that these foods can last for several months in the freezer, depending on what type of meat they are. Specifically, the FDA says that raw steaks can be kept in the freezer for six to 12 months. Chops, however, last shorter at four to six months while roasts can be kept frozen from anywhere between four months to a year.
Pork
Uncooked pork has similar freezer guidelines to beef and other meats: Chops should last four to six months in the freezer, while roasts can be kept frozen for four to 12 months. Processed pork, such as bacon, sausage, hot dogs, ham, and lunch meats, shouldn't keep them in the freezer for longer than one to two months.Fish & Seafood
Fish and seafood can get a little more complicated when it comes to recommended freezer guidelines, but generally, lean fish can last six to eight months in the freezer while fatty fish lasts shorter at two to three months.Not sure if your fish is lean or fatty? Common lean fish include bass, cod, tuna, and tilapia, while fatty fish include anchovies, mackerel, salmon, and sardines. (If your fish is not on this list, you can find a comprehensive list at Berkeley Wellness). Other fresh seafood such as shrimp, scallops, crawfish, and squid should last three to six months in the freezer.
Ground Meat
Whether your type of raw ground meat is beef, turkey, lamb, or veal — or any other mixtures of them — you shouldn't have it in the freezer for longer than three to four months. (The same goes for hamburger meat!)
Cooked & Leftover Meat
Sometimes you'll want to freeze your leftover meats for later consumption — but before you go ahead and cook extra portions, you should remember that cooked meat doesn't maintain its quality in the freezer for as long as raw meat does. According to the FDA, cooked poultry dishes and cooked fish can be kept in the freezer for four to six months, whereas other cooked meat and leftover meat dishes (such as beef, veal, lamb, and pork) shouldn't be kept for longer than two to three months.I looked this up because yesterday I threw out a bunch of frozen meat I had in the freezer. I had the experience of having left some chicken in the freezer too long and it was a yucky texture when I finally cooked it. It didn't make me sick but was disgusting to me none the less. Now I don't keep meat in the fridge for a long time not even as long as this article suggests. It's because it just doesn't taste as good after a few to several months. So I keep stuff for up to 3 mos. at the most now.
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