Raw Meat in the Freezer: How Long Is Too Long?

Eid-ul-Adha is all about sacrificing and enjoying meals with your family and friends. But while doing all of this, people might not consider the importance of storing meat in the right way. However, how long you can keep raw meat in the freezer​ has always been a major concern for people. Let’s find out the answer in the blog and explore some tips for keeping your meat in the freezer. 

Tips To Store Meat in the Freezer

The meat must not be just kept in the freezer to let it freeze. There are multiple things you need to take care of, and for that purpose, here are some tips to store eat in the freezer: 

• According to research, it has been found that the meat must be completely wrapped before you store it in the freezer. In fact, the double wrapping of meat is preferred by many people to ensure it is packed properly. However, you can use cling or foil wrap for this purpose. 
• Try not to store big meat pieces; instead, try to store small pieces of meat in portions. 
• You need to store the meat in the freezer when it is fresh. This will maintain its freshness and prevent it from getting bad after a few days.

How Long Can You Keep Raw Meat in the Freezer​?

People usually store raw meat in the freezer, thinking it will stay fresh for a longer time, which might be right only if you store it well. However, you can store meat in the freezer for up to 12 months. But wait! That does not mean you can load your freezers and think you are all stocked up on meat for next year. This is not a healthy practice. Even though you can freeze meat for a longer time, it will compromise its texture and taste in just 4 months. 

Factors To Consider While Storing Meat

The following are some factors you need to consider when freezing meat:

Freezer Burn

Freezer burn is a term that refers to a condition where food is exposed to direct cold air in the freezer. This leads to the formation of ice crystals on the exposed part of the food, which appears to be dull and leathery. Furthermore, the freezer burn in meat can be recognized by its gray-brown color and rough texture. However, it is said that eating freezer-burned food is not harmful, but it definitely has a change in taste. To prevent this condition, freezing your food with proper covering plays a crucial role. 

Load Shedding

Load shedding is one of the most important concerns when it comes to storing food in a freezer. Imagine you go through a power outage when you have a lot stored in your freezer. However, if you are wondering how long freezer meat can last without power so you need to know that it can last for 48 hours if completely frozen. But this might not be a safe option as there are chances of bacterial growth and development. 

Temperature

You need to consider the right temperature of your freezer. The temperature must be set to below -18°C, which is ideal for freezing meat. Make sure you keep checking the temperature and set it according to the temperature outside, as it will affect the cooling ability of the freezer. Furthermore, you can also ensure proper cleaning of your refrigerator to increase its cooling. 

Conclusion

To sum this up, how long can you keep raw meat in the freezer might be one of the most important questions these days, as Eid-ul-Adha is approaching in Pakistan. You need to be very considerate while you store meat. Try not to overload your freezers and store meat in portions to improve its shelf life. 

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