| Whether you are buying for a family or just one | | | | When wrapping for meats for storage make sure the |
| person, proper meat storage is important. One rule of | | | | meat is sealed properly so no air remains in the |
| thumb is never wash meat before storing. The added | | | | package. Large amounts of meat should be separated |
| moisture will allow bacteria to grow, increasing the risk | | | | and frozen so they will thaw easier and risk of |
| of spoilage. Every year there are more cases of food | | | | packages tearing and exposing the meat is lessened. |
| poisoning reported. Many of these could be avoided if | | | | Freezer burn can occur should packages are not |
| certain guidelines are followed. | | | | sealed properly. Placing freezer paper between |
| If you are planning on using the meat within two days, it | | | | steaks, burgers, or pork chops helps you to be able to |
| may be kept in the refrigerator. Put it in the part that is | | | | separate them while they are still frozen. |
| the coldest (which is usually the top rear). If you are | | | | Frozen meat storage in bulk can be easier on your |
| going to freeze it re-wrap in freezer safe wrap and | | | | budget if you separate the big packages for more |
| make sure your freezer is not overloaded. Frozen | | | | than one meal. Most stores have a lower price per |
| meat storage is best if some air can circulate around | | | | pound on larger packages. That way that huge |
| the packages. A good air and moisture proof wrap is | | | | package of ground beef can be put in three or four |
| a must. Deep freezers are best for storing meats for | | | | packages which aids in freezing faster and thawing |
| longer periods of time. | | | | time is less. These days meat is expensive and if you |
| Canned meat can be kept on the shelf for basically | | | | can get a bargain, all the better. |
| the use by date. They have a fairly long shelf life. | | | | The only problem with buying this way is making sure |
| Never freeze canned meats. If your freezer stays | | | | the food is stored, frozen, and organized. We know |
| between -10 degrees to 0 the life of the meat will be | | | | you're probably wondering what organized has to do |
| longer. That is why most refrigerator freezers are not | | | | with it, well have you ever found that select cut of |
| a really good choice for meat storage. They are | | | | meat in the back of the freezer but it's too late as |
| opened too often for the freezer to maintain the | | | | there is so much freezer burn it's ridiculous. |
| temperature required for optimum storage. | | | | The best way is to use the First In / First Out basically |
| Usually it is not a good idea to refreeze meats. Frozen | | | | newly purchased items to the rear of the freezer and |
| meat storage is meant for fresh meats, frozen for the | | | | older items upfront. You should keep the temperature |
| first time because they retain their flavor and natural | | | | at 0 degrees Fahrenheit at all times. Use |
| juices. Natural flavors and juices can be lost if you | | | | moisture-proof, freezer weight wrap. Freezer bags |
| were to refreeze the meat. While some meats are ok | | | | and freezer paper are good, we normally stay away |
| if frozen for several months, some are not. Pork | | | | from foil as it sticks to the meat. |
| should only be kept for a maximum of 60 days. If you | | | | Just use common sense and reviewing manufacturers |
| are not planning on using it within this specified time, | | | | recommendations before storing meats either |
| you should not keep it. Beef can be frozen for up to a | | | | refrigerated or frozen and you will rest assured your |
| year if wrapped properly and your freezer maintains | | | | meat will be fresh and ready to prepare your favorite |
| the temperature mentioned previously. | | | | family recipe. |