Updated: Jan. 09, 2023
Want to stash a steak in the freezer? Here's how you should be freezing your steak.
Few meals are as decadent and delicious as a good home-cooked steak. If you’re not going to eat meat within a couple days of purchasing—or if you’ve stocked up on a sale—we’ve got good news: steak freezes really well. Here’s a complete guide to freezing steak.
How to Freeze Steak
Raw steak is easy to freeze. Remove from the grocery packaging, which probably has too much air in it, and wrap it well. Store steak in the coldest part of the freezer: the bottom shelf.
Here’s how to freeze anything.
How to Wrap Steaks for Freezing
It’s important to wrap steak (and all meats) well before freezing. Wrap in at least two layers, like plastic wrap and then aluminum foil or parchment paper in a freezer bag. Wrap the meat tightly, pressing as much air out of the packaging as possible, since exposure to air can cause freezer burn. Here’s how toget a practically airtight seal on your freezer bags. Label the package with the contents and the date, so you don’t lose track of a good steak in the freezer.
How Long Can You Freeze Steak?
For the best quality, juiciness and texture, use steak within six months of freezing. Steak may be safely frozen for longer, up to a year, but could be more susceptible to freezer burn.
Note that once you’ve defrosted steak or any other meat, it’s not safe to refreeze it. If you can’t eat it right away, cook it and then freeze again. Also, find out whether you can refreeze meat.
Here’s how long other common foods keep in the freezer.
Does Freezing Steak Affect Taste?
Nope! If you properly wrap your steak and don’t leave it for ages, steaks will taste delicious even after freezing. You can use a defrosted steak in any steak recipe.
Does Freezing Steak Make It Tough?
Nope! Freezing steak shouldn’t change the texture of steak. The cut of beef has the most bearing on tenderness: tender cuts, like filet, will remain tender, while fattier cuts, like flank, will remain chewier; here’s a guide to all the types of steak and how to cook each.
How to Defrost Steak
Defrost steak slowly, in the refrigerator; how long it’ll take depends on the thickness and size of the beef, but it’ll generally be overnight to about one full day. Midway through the defrost, remove the steak from its packaging, pat dry and place on a plate or container, uncovered; return to the fridge until completely defrosted. This will help the meat to dry, giving you the best texture and browning.
Pop Your Steak Out of the Freezer and Make One of These Delicious Steak Dinners
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Tenderloin Steak DianeFor this classic skillet steak dinner, just sear the steaks in butter and top with a gorgeously silky mushroom cream sauce. It’s elegant and effortless all at once.
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Cast-Iron Skillet Steak Recipe photo by Taste of Home
Cast-Iron Skillet SteakYou definitely don’t have to keep steak for special occasions. One of the easiest ways to cook it is seared in a cast-iron skillet with or without butter. All you need after that is a nice leafy salad to complete the meal.
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Psst! If you love steak, you need this custom branding iron for grilled meats.
Taste of Home
Steak with Chipotle-Lime ChimichurriChimichurri is a piquant herb sauce that complements steak perfectly. Once you learn how to make the sauce, you'll want to serve it all summer long.
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Steaks with Mushroom SauceBy using top sirloin, this dish is great for a weeknight dinner for two or four. The rich mushroom-wine sauce brings out the best of the beef-forward flavor, and it tastes great with sides like roasted potatoes and green beans.
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Taste of Home
Quick Pepper SteakWith a simple sweet and savory sauce, sliced sirloin and fresh bell peppers, this skillet supper comes together in a flash. Serve it with steamed white, brown or cauliflower rice for a fuller meal.
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Beef Steaks with Blue CheeseBroil, grill or quickly sear these steaks in a cast-iron pan to get a nice caramelized crust on the outside while keeping the meat tender inside. The size of the steaks, blue cheese topping and croutons can easily be cut in half for smaller portion sizes.
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Taste of Home
Flank Steak PinwheelsButterfly and flatten a flank steak so there’s a large surface area for this savory red pepper and spinach stuffing. Roll it up, wrap in bacon (yes!) and grill for a few minutes. Once sliced, serve with a delicious creamy blue cheese sauce.
Key West Flank SteakFlank steak is great for the grill, especially with this lime and garlic marinade, and it cooks quickly, just a few minutes per side. After letting it rest, slice against the grain. Need more ideas for this economical cut of beef? Check out some of our other flank steak recipes.
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Zesty Steak SaladCook marinated top sirloin steak for this zesty salad, or feel free to use leftover steak from another meal. While the base is leafy romaine lettuce, add anything else you love to the bowl, from cucumbers and mushrooms to cheese.
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Air-Fryer Steak FajitasOf course you can make steak in the air fryer! This marinated flank steak takes less than 10 minutes. While you let it rest, slice avocado, onion and lime wedges for serving.
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Taste of Home
Mushroom Steak Salad with Walnut VinaigretteThis steak salad is a great date night steak recipe because it’s impressive but easy to throw together for any night of the week. Serve with some crusty bread and a great bottle of wine.
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Skirt steak is usually a pretty tough cut with lots of connective tissue. That’s why you want to use something like this beer and lime marinade to tenderize it and add flavor. Like other grilled steak recipes, a quick sear over the fire is all it takes.
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Beef Filets with Portobello SauceThese steaks with a rich and savory portobello mushroom sauce are a perfect meal for two. Complete the meal with zesty potatoes, a leafy salad and a hunk of great bread.
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Once you learn a great steak marinade recipe, you’ll be able to turn even the toughest cut of meat into a delicious dinner. This sweet citrus marinade transforms flank steak into a tender flavorful cut.
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Garlic Grilled SteaksElevate your grilled strip or ribeye steaks with this amazing garlic mixture. Have extra? Learn how to repurpose last night’s dinner into one of these amazing leftover steak recipes.
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Citrus Steak SaladThere are so many wonderful flavors in this salad, thanks to fresh greens, mandarin oranges, strawberries and a citrusy vinaigrette. The only thing you need to cook is the steak, and dinner is on the table in no time.
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Taste of Home
Flank Steak with CouscousFor this recipe, use sirloin steak if you prefer it over flank steak. Both take only minutes to broil and have lots of beefy flavor. Make sure to cut against the grain for the most tender pieces.
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Tenderloin with Horseradish Cream CheeseThe sharp peppery flavor of horseradish has always been a great foil for a rich, juicy steak. Blend it with cream cheese, parmesan and parsley for a delicious steak topper, and serve with a classic baked potato.
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Teriyaki Steak SkewersThese teriyaki steak skewers will be the hit of your next backyard barbecue. The aroma alone will get everyone’s attention, but once they taste the sweet and savory marinade, they’ll be hooked. You can easily double or triple this recipe for a crowd.
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Taste of Home
Make this whole meal on the grill for your next cookout. The steak gets a brush of vinegar and Worcestershire before a rub of zesty spices, and the potatoes taste great with a little char from the fire.
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Taste of Home
A marinade of balsamic vinegar, maple syrup and Dijon adds a ton of flavor to this steak, and it complements the sharp blue cheese topping. Any cut that you’d grill works here, including sirloin, strip or ribeye.
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Taste of Home
Smoky Espresso SteakWith espresso, cocoa and pumpkin pie spice, it may sound like you’re making dessert, but it’s actually a delicious rub that transforms broiled or grilled flat iron steak into a flavor bomb.
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Taste of Home
Grilled Steaks with Marinated TomatoesTalk about peak summer. Sometimes all you need for a perfectly grilled steak is a side of fresh garden tomatoes marinated in raspberry vinaigrette and fresh herbs and spices. A side of cheesy potatoes or sauteed green beans work, too!
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Taste of Home
Garlic-Rubbed T-Bones with Burgundy MushroomsPorterhouse or T-bone steaks are great on the grill, especially when rubbed with garlic and served with wine-soaked mushrooms. Take dinner to another level with creamy twice-baked potatoes and a Caesar salad.
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The chili-rubbed grilled steak and fresh vegetables make this panzanella-like salad a one-bowl meal. Use thick-cut bread for the cubes so they can soak up all the flavors.
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Grilled Ribeyes with Herb ButterWith Dijon and herbs de Provence, this full-flavored marinade practically takes you to the French countryside. After the steaks come off the grill, top with a savory herb butter. For something more American, try our new obsession: cowboy butter.
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Chipotle-Honey Grilled T-BonesFor all the heat lovers out there, these T-bones have a spicy kick. Great on the grill or seared indoors, make these the centerpiece of a Tex Mex-inspired dinner.
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Taste of Home
Peppered Ribeye SteaksThis peppery DIY steak rub brings out all the beefy flavor of grilled ribeye steaks. Pair it with a sweet corn and tomato salad for a perfect summer meal.
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Grilled Steak Pinwheels Recipe photo by Taste of Home
Grilled Steak PinwheelsEasy to prepare, steak pinwheels make a statement, especially with this savory mushroom filling. It’s a great summertime option when the grill (and the days and nights) are hot and you want to keep the kitchen cool.
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Saucy Skillet SteaksButter, Dijon and onion turns an everyday steak dinner into something special. Ribeyes are the choice cut for this steak recipe, but you can do the same with a NY strip or tenderloin; the sauce is even great on chicken or burgers.
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Bacon-Wrapped Filets with Scotched MushroomsYou’ve seen the bacon-wrapped filet mignon at the grocery store, but it’s just as easy to make at home. This recipe is perfect for two (yay, date night!), but it can easily be doubled or tripled for a dinner party.
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Merlot Filet MignonRemember: when you’re cooking with wine, don’t use the cheap stuff; cook with one you’d like to drink. It makes all the difference in a buttery wine sauce like this.
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Chocolate-Chipotle Sirloin SteakCocoa powder won’t make your steak sweet. Unsweetened chocolate adds depth and color to steak. It’s also a perfect complement to smoky chipotle peppers. Here are some other surprising ingredients that take your steak from good to great.
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Steak with Citrus SalsaIn the summer, this lime marinade perks up grilled steaks. In the winter, broiled or pan-seared steaks get a blast of sunshine from citrus salsa.
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Taste of Home
Skillet Steak SupperBecause everything for this quick and easy meal is cooked in one skillet, prep work and cleanup is a breeze. The delicious wine and mushroom sauce will have everyone thinking you spent hours in the kitchen, though.
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Taste of Home
Ginger Steak Fried RiceTurn leftover rice and steak into a quick fried rice. Broccoli slaw mix and frozen peas make it an easy-peasy weeknight meal.
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Taste of Home
Spicy Flank SteakSpice up a flank steak with red pepper flakes and chili powder, and then serve with a cool sour cream sauce. If you prefer, grill the steak over medium-high heat rather than broiling.
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