Can I Freeze Ground Beef in Original Packaging

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases made on our website. If you make a purchase through links from this website, we may get a small share of the sale from Amazon and other similar affiliate programs.

Shopping for meat sometimes means finding great deals and buying meat that needs to be frozen. Supermarket packaging protects the meat contained within, including when frozen for use at a later date.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, it is possible to freeze meat in its original supermarket packaging safely. However, the wrapping is permeable to the air and should not remain frozen for extended periods lasting more than four months.

Freezing meat allows you to save what you have purchased for use later without it spoiling. Grocery store packaging provides enough protection for freezing meat for less than a couple of months. Continue reading to learn more about freezing meat in supermarket packaging:

Can you freeze meat in its store packaging?

It is possible to freeze meat in the package it comes in from the grocery store. It is safe to freeze the meat, regardless of the store packaging used.  However, depending on the packaging, the quality of the meat can degrade because the plastic wrap is air permeable. Therefore, it is best to freeze meat in its original store packaging for three to four months.

Storing meat in the freezer longer than the recommended time is not dangerous. However,  the texture and flavors can deteriorate if kept longer. For best freezing results, store the meat at 0 °F (-18 C) without being thawed and place meat in a single layer on the lowest shelf in the freezer.

Can you freeze meat in a Styrofoam tray?

Grocery store meat comes in all kinds of packages, including those that use a Styrofoam tray.  It is possible to freeze meat in a Styrofoam tray directly from the grocery store. However, these packages are not as air-tight as vacuum sealed meats and may start to deteriorate sooner.

Some Styrofoam packaging is vacuum-sealed, which removes all excess air from within the container. Vacuum sealed packages from the supermarket allow for more extended periods in the freezer without affecting the quality and taste of the meat.

Can you freeze meat in a plastic tray?

Some meats come packaged in plastic trays, which can be safe for freezing. However, those freezing meats packaged in plastic trays need to monitor their meat and use caution. Meat stored in plastic trays with plastic wrap can get exposed to air that gets through the thin packaging.

In addition, store plastic wrap can allow air to penetrate the package, which causes freezer burn to start within a few weeks to one month.

When storing meat in a plastic tray from the supermarket, plan to freeze it for a few weeks.  When cooking, you can cut off areas of meat with freezer burn; however, if widespread freezer burn occurs, immediately throw the meat away.

Like Styrofoam trays, some meat sold in plastic trays is also vacuum sealed. Vacuum sealed meats in plastic trays allow for longer freeze times without suffering from freezer burn or losing integrity.

Can you freeze meat with an absorbent meat pad?

Anyone who has purchased packaged meat from the supermarket has seen the absorbent pad underneath the meat. This meat pad has many purposes, including soaking up any juices to reduce the spread of bacteria and food-borne illnesses. It is possible to freeze meat with this absorbent pad still in the packaging.

Additionally, absorbent meat pads help improve the shelf-life of meats. When defrosting, the pads help keep the original juices in with the meat. Keep in mind, the meat may have to defrost for easy removal of the pad before cooking thoroughly.

Can you freeze meat in vacuum packaging?

You can freeze meat in vacuum packaging, which is the best packaging to preserve the quality of the meat when freezing for more extended periods.  Vacuum sealing removes the oxygen and moisture from within the packaging, which slows down freezer burn, preserving the integrity of the meat.

Vacuum sealed meat from the grocery store lasts longer in the freezer than meat frozen in plastic or Styrofoam meat trays.

The shelf life of meats gets extended when vacuum-sealed, which is why some grocery stores are using this on their meat products. As long as the meat is placed immediately in the freezer upon getting home, the meat stays good for four months to one year.

Which meats can you freeze in store packaging?

It is possible to store just about every meat purchased from a grocery store in its original packaging. Meats you can freeze in store packaging include poultry, beef, veal, lamb, pork, and seafood. It is also possible to freeze deli meats in their original packaging. In addition, it is possible to freeze other meat products, such as bacon, sausage, hot dogs, and other similar meats, in their original store packaging.

It is possible to freeze meat indefinitely; however, there is a risk of losing integrity, flavor, and quality when frozen for long periods. Though freezing times vary to ensure the quality of different meats remain, generally, meat lasts in the freezer in their original packaging for three to four months.

Can you freeze chicken in the original package?

You can freeze whole chickens, thighs, legs, and breasts in their original grocery store packaging.  It is best to use chicken meat within a few months if frozen in their original meat trays. If vacuum sealed, frozen chicken lasts for up to a year without affecting the quality. Giblets can also be frozen in original supermarket packaging but should be frozen no longer than three to four months.

Can you freeze salmon in the store packaging?

Salmon can be frozen in its original store packaging for up to six months without compromising its quality and flavor. However, if the salmon was previously frozen and thawed out at the store to room temperature, it cannot be frozen, regardless of packaging. On the other hand, if the salmon was kept refrigerated after thawing and never reached room temperature, it could be refrozen.

Can you freeze steak in the store packaging?

Steak is easy to freeze, especially when using the original grocery store packaging. To freeze a steak in its original packaging, place it on the bottom shelf in the back. Since most store packaging is not air-tight, steaks stay fresh while frozen in the original packaging for about four months. The steak lasts longer in the freezer if the store packaging was vacuum sealed.

Can you freeze ground beef in its original packaging?

Ground beef is safe indefinitely if frozen immediately after bringing it home from the grocery store. Freezing the ground beef as soon as possible helps preserve the meat's freshness and slows bacterial growth. However, depending on the packaging, the quality is the best if used within four months of freezing the meat.

Can you defrost meat in its original packaging?

It is possible to defrost meat in its original packaging.  To defrost, place the package on the counter until fully defrosted, or for a slower defrost time, place the meat in the refrigerator.

Conclusion

Regardless of packaging, it is possible to freeze meats in the grocery store packaging they come in. As long as the meat is frozen immediately upon bringing home, it should stay fresh for about four months in the freezer. Any longer, meat runs a risk of losing its quality from freezer burn.

Sources:

https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/Is-it-safe-to-freeze-meats-in-grocery-store-packaging

https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/Can-meat-and-poultry-be-frozen-in-original-packaging

https://web.extension.illinois.edu/meatsafety/packaging.cfm

https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/How-long-can-you-freeze-ground-beef

currylikedy.blogspot.com

Source: https://www.profamilychef.com/can-you-freeze-meat-in-supermarket-packaging/

Share this post