Freezing meat is something Ree Drummond loves to do (she lives way out on the ranch, after all!). Bulk purchases of ground beef, steak, or chicken that are frozen can save you a ton of money and eliminate the need for additional grocery store trips. Even so, it has happened to the best of us: You thawed some steak that you were going to use for a delicious recipe for steak dinner, but you were unable to cook it. Now you’re wondering if you can simply refreeze the meat and store it in the freezer for a later time.
Just like freezing cheese, the answer is a little complicated and depends on a few factors. Keep reading to find out if you can refreeze meat and the best ways to do it. As a quick tip, you should check the temperature in your freezer, which should be at 0˚ or lower for safe freezing.
The answer to this question depends on a few factors including how the ground turkey was originally frozen, how it was thawed, and how long it was thawed for.
If the ground turkey was originally frozen solid:
- Yes, you can refreeze it safely. The USDA states that it is safe to refreeze raw meat and poultry that has been thawed in the refrigerator, as long as it was thawed in the refrigerator for no more than 24 hours.
- However, the quality of the ground turkey may be affected. When meat is frozen, ice crystals form inside the muscle fibers. When the meat is thawed, these ice crystals melt and can damage the muscle fibers, making the meat tougher and drier.
If the ground turkey was partially thawed:
- It is best not to refreeze it. Partially thawed meat has been exposed to warmer temperatures, which can allow bacteria to grow. Refreezing partially thawed meat can increase the risk of foodborne illness.
If the ground turkey was thawed at room temperature:
- Do not refreeze it. Meat that has been thawed at room temperature should not be refrozen, as it has been in the “danger zone” for bacteria growth for too long.
Tips for refreezing ground turkey:
- Divide the ground turkey into smaller portions before freezing. This will make it easier to thaw and cook later on.
- Wrap the ground turkey tightly in freezer-safe packaging. This will help to prevent freezer burn.
- Label the ground turkey with the date it was frozen. This will help you keep track of how long it has been in the freezer.
While it is technically safe to refreeze ground turkey that has been thawed in the refrigerator, it is best to avoid doing so if possible. Refreezing ground turkey can affect the quality of the meat and increase the risk of foodborne illness. If you must refreeze ground turkey, be sure to follow the tips above to ensure that it is done safely.
Additional Resources:
- USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/freezing-food
- FoodSafety.gov: https://www.foodsafety.gov/food-safety-charts/cold-food-storage-charts
Why is it bad to freeze meat twice?
If the meat is raw, then follow the guidelines above. We do not advise refreezing cooked meat because doing so will cause you to lose a lot of the meat’s texture and flavor if it is already cooked. Additionally, no meat that has been at room temperature for more than two hours or at 90˚ or above for more than an hour should be frozen (or refrozen).
Can you refreeze meat after thawing?
According to the USDA, meat should be thawed in the refrigerator and never at room temperature. If you didnt thaw your meat in the fridge, you should toss it and not refreeze it. If you did thaw it in the fridge, then you can refreeze the meat as long as it hasnt been sitting in the fridge for too long after it thawed (the longer the thawed meat sits, the longer bacteria has to form on it). If the meat has thawed and has been sitting in your fridge longer than 36 hours, we dont recommend refreezing it.
How dangerous is it to refreeze meat that has been thawed?
FAQ
Can you freeze turkey meat twice?
Why can’t you refreeze thawed turkey?
Can you put defrosted ground turkey back in the freezer?
Can ground meat be thawed and refrozen?
Can You refreeze frozen ground turkey?
Label the containers or bags with the date you stored it in the freezer so you know when it it good until. Frozen ground turkey should be used within 3-4 months. Divide large amounts of meat into smaller portions. This way you can defrost only what you need when you are ready to use it. Do not refreeze defrosted meat.
How long can you keep ground turkey in the freezer?
Ground turkey can be stored in the freezer for up to four months before it needs to be used. To ensure that you consume the meat within this time frame, consider labeling your ground turkey packages with the freezing date. So you can quickly determine when it’s time to use or discard the meat.
Can You refreeze cooked meat?
If the meat is already cooked, you will lose a lot of the texture and flavor if you thaw and refreeze it again, so we do not recommend refreezing cooked meat. 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.
Can You refreeze ground beef?
If you froze ground beef and thawed if safely (in the refrigerator), then you can refreeze it. We do not recommend doing this more than once, as it will cause freezer burn and a loss of taste and texture when you cook the meat.