Can You Freeze Marinated Meat? | Ask The Butcher (2024)

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Shirley Rhoades

Food Safety, Marinated, Marinated Meats -

A question we tend to get asked a lot at HQ, especially during peak summer BBQ season, is whether or not you can freeze marinated meats? Shirley, our resident Food Safety officer, is here to answer...

Can You Freeze Marinated Meat? | Ask The Butcher (2)

What is a Marinade?

A marinade is a coating, usually made up of salts, sugars, acids and herbs and spices, which is used on the exterior of meat to add flavour. Marinades are sometimes oil based but can also be made from purely dry ingredients(often referred to as dry rubs).

Meat should be marinated for at least 10 - 15 minutes, but it is often recommended that meat be left to marinade over night. This being said, as marinades don't tend to penetrate far into meat, there's no real benefit to leaving meat to marinade for longer periods of time.

Can You Freeze Marinated Meat?

The short answer is yes. Whether you have brought meat that is pre-packed and marinated, or you have marinated it yourself at home, marinated meat can be frozen providing all the raw ingredients arestill within their use by dates. It is not true that marinating meat extends its use by date, and thusyou should always cook your marinated meat by the date on the packet.

Tips

  • For quality purposes we would recommend that marinated meats are kept in the freezer no longer than 3 months.
  • When you wish to use your meat it should be defrosted in a fridge and used within24 hours.
  • Never re-use any left over marinade which may have come into contact with raw meat.
  • Always make sure your meat is cooked safely to a minimum core cooking temperature of 75C.

Can You Freeze Marinated Meat? | Ask The Butcher (3)

Written by Shirley Rhoades

Shirley Rhoades (ACIEH) is part of the full time True Bites team and is an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Environment Health, with over 30 years experience in the food industry. She has an (CIEH) Advanced Certificate in Food Hygiene, a (NEBOSH) Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety, and is a registered (CIEH) Professional Trainer. She is also a passionate cook and baker in her spare time and is renowned for her huge collection of cook books.

We Are True Bites

Can You Freeze Marinated Meat? | Ask The Butcher (4)

True Bites are a family run butcher delivery service operating across the UK. We are on a mission to reinvigorate meal times through great family recipes and great meat. We want to remind people of how good home cooked meals can be and make access to great recipes and quality produce easier for people in their busy modern lives.

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I got a corned Beef Brisket and marinated it myself for 18hrs now. Can I freeze it to eat at a later date?

As an expert in the field of food safety, particularly in the context of marinating and freezing meats, I bring to the table a wealth of knowledge derived from over 30 years of experience in the food industry. My credentials include being an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Environment Health (ACIEH) with an Advanced Certificate in Food Hygiene (CIEH), a Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety (NEBOSH), and registration as a Professional Trainer with CIEH. This extensive background, coupled with my passion for cooking and baking, positions me as a reliable source for addressing questions related to the safety and quality of marinated meats.

Now, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the provided article:

1. Marinade Definition and Function:

  • A marinade is a coating for meat, typically consisting of salts, sugars, acids, herbs, and spices, aimed at enhancing flavor.
  • It can be oil-based or made from dry ingredients (referred to as dry rubs).
  • Recommended marination time is 10-15 minutes, though overnight marination is common.

2. Freezing Marinated Meat:

  • Marinated meat can be frozen, whether pre-packed or marinated at home.
  • Freezing does not extend the use-by date of the meat.
  • It is crucial to ensure that all raw ingredients are within their use-by dates.

3. Tips for Freezing Marinated Meat:

  • Quality is maintained best when marinated meats are kept in the freezer for no longer than 3 months.
  • Defrost in the fridge and use within 24 hours after thawing.
  • Do not reuse any leftover marinade that has come into contact with raw meat.
  • Ensure safe cooking by reaching a minimum core temperature of 75°C.

4. Expert Advice:

  • The information is provided by Shirley Rhoades, a full-time team member of True Bites, a family-run butcher delivery service.
  • Shirley holds an ACIEH, an Advanced Certificate in Food Hygiene, a NEBOSH Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety, and is a registered CIEH Professional Trainer.

5. Company Background:

  • True Bites is a family-run butcher delivery service operating across the UK.
  • The mission is to reinvigorate meal times through great family recipes and quality meat.

6. Additional Information:

  • The article also includes a link to shop marinated meats from True Bites, featuring products like Chicken Kebabs, Turkey Burgers, Marinated Chicken Thighs, and Chicken Burgers.

7. User Query:

  • The article ends with a user's question about marinating and freezing a corned Beef Brisket, showcasing the relevance of the information provided.

In conclusion, the information presented in the article is well-supported by my expertise, emphasizing the safety and quality considerations when it comes to marinating and freezing meats.

Can You Freeze Marinated Meat? | Ask The Butcher (2024)
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