Is It Ok To Freeze Thaw And Refreeze Meat. When you freeze, thaw, and refreeze an item, the second thaw will break down even more cells, leaching out moisture and changing the integrity of the product. Harmful bacteria has been allowed to grow at this point and it must be destroyed.
Can You Refreeze Meat? from www.healthline.com
Do not refreeze any foods left outside the refrigerator longer than 2 hours; Frozen and thawed food will develop harmful bacteria faster than fresh. Refreezing meat can be done safely, but the quality of the meat may be affected.
Harmful Bacteria Has Been Allowed To Grow At This Point And It Must Be Destroyed.
The other enemy is bacteria. Cut it up, cook and refreeze. Refreezing meat can be done safely, but the quality of the meat may be affected.
For Example, Freezing And Thawing Meat More Than One Time Might Cause Color And Odor Changes, Moisture Loss, And Increased Oxidation Of Its Fat And Protein ( 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ).
The other enemy is bacteria. Frozen raw foods can be defrosted once and stored in the fridge for up to 24 hours before they need to be cooked or thrown away. In fact, if you have thawed it in cold water or in the microwave, you really must cook it before freezing it again.
When You Freeze, Thaw, And Refreeze An Item, The Second Thaw Will Break Down Even More Cells, Leaching Out Moisture And Changing The Integrity Of The Product.
For example, freezing and thawing meat more than one time might cause color and odor changes, moisture loss, and increased oxidation of its fat and protein ( 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ). The other enemy is bacteria. It is safe to freeze cooked meat that was previously frozen.
If In Doubt, Do Not Refreeze.
You should also not freeze (or refreeze) any meats that have been sitting at room temperature for longer than 2 hours or at a 90˚ or higher for more than 1 hour. Frozen and thawed food will develop harmful bacteria faster than fresh. In fact, if you have thawed it in cold water or in the microwave, you really must cook it before freezing it again.
Refreezing Meat Can Be Done Safely, But The Quality Of The Meat May Be Affected.
Refreezing meat can be done safely, but the quality of the meat may be affected. For example, freezing and thawing meat more than one time might cause color and odor changes, moisture loss, and increased oxidation of its fat and protein ( 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ). After thawing in the refrigerator, items such as ground meat, stew meat, poultry, seafood, should remain safe and good quality for an additional day or two before cooking;
