It’s that time of the year when prepackaged uncooked corned beef brisket are on sale at amazing prices! You want to stock up but don’t want to get stuck having to spend hours of cooking all that meat just to freeze it. Well I’m here to tell you that you can Freeze Uncooked Corned Beef In The Package but you’ll want to do it right to get the best results. Keep on reading for all my freezer tips.
Freezing Corned Beef
Corned beef, with its savory flavor and rich history, has become a staple in many households around the world.
It has become more readily available in local butcher shops and grocery stores year round. While it may go on sale through out the year the biggest savings can be found leading up to St. Patrick’s Day. Grocery stores sell 85% to 90% of their corned beef sales for the year in the week or two before St. Patrick’s Day.
With stores offering great sale prices on corned beef, this is the perfect time to purchase extra corned beef briskets to freeze for future meals to save money. Rather than spend time cooking, slicing, packaging and freezing these additional briskets people often question whether it’s safe to freeze the corned beef in its original packaging.
Why Is It Called Corned Beef?
Before starting on the freezing journey, let’s take a moment to understand what corned beef is. This flavorful meat is typically made from beef brisket or round cuts that have been cured in a seasoned salt brine.
Back in the days before refrigeration, if you wanted to keep your meat from going bad and make it last you had a few options:
- Drying – think beef jerky. Drying the meat helps to prevent spoiling as there is less moisture for bacteria to live in.
- Smoking – exposing the cuts of meat to dry smoke removes the moisture from the surface of the meat to prevent or slow bacterial growth.
- Freezing – if you lived where it was cold enough to freeze the meat this would preserve it longer just as your freezer helps to preserve your food.
- Curing – using salt to either dry out the food or to create an environment that was less friendly to the bacteria that causes meat spoilage.
“Corned” meat was any type of meat that was put through a curing process that used large grains of rock salt, called “corns” of salt, and a brine solution (cold water or other liquid mixed with salt, spices and other seasonings) that gives the meat its distinctive flavor.
Tough cuts of meat are soaked in this solution for about a week before being slow cooked to make them tender. Often you would see big barrels of bring solution in the local deli right along side a big barrel with pickles soaking in their own brine solution. This is one reason why delicious corned beef sandwiches are often sold where you can purchase other deli meats.
Freezing Corned Beef in the Original Package:
Most commercially packaged corned beef comes sealed in vacuum-sealed plastic or airtight containers, designed to maintain freshness and prevent contamination. While freezing food in its original packaging is generally acceptable, there are some factors to consider.
Packaging Quality:
The quality of the original packaging plays a crucial role in determining the safety of freezing corned beef. Vacuum-sealed packaging is ideal for preserving the meat’s texture and flavor, preventing freezer burn, and reducing the risk of contamination. If the original packaging appears damaged in some way it’s better to repackage the corned beef to make sure that it is protected during freezing.
Freezer Compatibility:
Different freezers have varying temperatures and features. Ensure that your freezer maintains a consistent temperature of 0°F (-18°C) or lower, as this is the recommended temperature for long-term food storage.
Duration of Freezing:
Corned beef, like any other meat, is best when consumed within a specific timeframe. While freezing can extend its shelf life, it’s crucial to adhere to recommended guidelines. Typically, corned beef can be safely stored in the freezer for 2-3 months without a significant decline in quality. After this period, the risk of freezer burn increases so you will want to inspect the packaging.
Freezer Burn:
Freezer burn occurs when food is exposed to air, leading to dehydration and changes in texture and flavor. Meat will often begin to show signs of freezer burn around the edges. You may see a layer of growing ice crystals on the edges of the meat. This is from the moisture being pulled from the meat itself.
While high-quality packaging helps prevent freezer burn, it’s essential to inspect the packaging for any signs of damage before freezing. If the packaging is compromised, consider repackaging the corned beef into an airtight container or packaging such as a heavy-duty freezer bag (remove excess air before sealing bag) or freezer paper to ensure optimal preservation.
If you have a vacuum sealer you can repackage the corn beef into a vacuum bag for your model of sealer for long-term storage. Don’t forget to include the spice packet, if your piece of meat came with one, before removing as much air as possible.
Avoid aluminum foil or using a double layer of plastic wrap to protect meat during the freezing process. While these provide a bit of protection it doesn’t last long and freezer burn will set in quickly.
Apart from safety concerns, practical aspects also come into play when deciding whether to freeze corned beef in its original packaging:
Repackaging for Convenience:
Repackaging raw corned beef into smaller portions before freezing can offer convenience. This allows you to thaw only the amount needed for a specific meal, reducing waste and ensuring that each portion maintains its best quality.
Cut larger pieces of meat into a size that suits your needs. Don’t freeze a 5 pound corned beef brisket if there’s no way for you or your family to eat it. Throwing out leftovers that don’t get eaten is just throwing your hard earned money into the garbage.
Labeling and Dating:
To keep track of freezing times and ensure freshness, it’s helpful to label and date the corned beef packages. Clearly marking the date of freezing allows you to manage your freezer inventory effectively and prioritize the consumption of older items.
It’s tempting to skip this step because you think you’ll remember what is in the freezer bag and when you purchased it. But it’s easy for items to get pushed to the back of the freezer and be forgotten. If you don’t have freezer tape then use a Sharpie marker to write the storage date on any packaging before it goes into the freezer.
If you are looking for a definitive time frame for freezing meat in the original packaging, as you can see, it will vary depending upon the conditions of the packaging, temperature and such. For those who are wondering, well how long is too long? Here’s some information to give you a basic idea of how long well packaged meat can last in the freezer:
According to AMAC Technologies (makers/sellers of vacuum packaging machines) properly packaged meat can last 1 to 3 years in the freezer depending upon the type of meat.
This chart at FoodDocs (another vacuum sealing company) has a chart that shows that properly package meat can last 2 to 3 years in the freezer.
In the grand scheme of preserving corned beef, freezing it in its original packaging is generally safe, provided the packaging is intact and the freezer conditions are suitable. However, taking practical steps such as repackaging for convenience and labeling for organization can enhance the overall freezing experience.
As with any food preservation method, it’s essential to strike a balance between food safety and practicality. By understanding the nuances of freezing corned beef and following recommended guidelines, you can savor this delectable dish at your convenience while ensuring its quality remains intact. So, the next time you’re faced with the question of freezing corned beef, feel confident in making an informed decision that aligns with both your culinary preferences and safety standards.
Check out posts for more freezer food tips:
How to freeze cranberries (fresh berries, dried cranberries, sauce and juice)
How to freeze Halloween candy and what to do with the leftovers
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