How Long Can Meats Be Safely Frozen?

By

Keeper

Debbie,check out:stilltasty.com

Great info.on most everything in your kitchen.

By

Debbie52

I am the one who posted the question. We ate the chicken last night and it was perfectly fine. After marinating my husband grilled and they were tender, juicy and delicious. I will be more careful in the future to use up meats sooner though!

By

Debbie52

Thanks for the info. I defrosted the chicken breasts and they have no freezer burn, were not slimy,had no off smell. I washed them off in cold water and then have them marinating in terriyaki sauce and my husband will grill tonight. I am not worried that they will be bad at this point but perhaps will not taste so good. They indeed got lost in the deep freeze and we'll have to be more careful in the future. Also these got frozen before we invested in a vacuum sealer but they were wrapped very well. If I remember I'll let ya know how they turn out.

By

fuzzytufts

Coming from an old farm family I know how it can get lost in the freezer.
1. Is it freezer burnt and real bad, cook it for the dogs and give them a treat.
2. Just a little burnt. Thaw it out in a tablespoon of vinegar to the pan of water you thaw the meat in and if it smells after thawing no.
The vinegar will actually tenderize and take the freezer smell out. The meat should still be good. A good rule of thumb is on chicken and turkey or store bought cook within 2 months because they already keep it too long. I have had chicken in the freezer for over a year and it not even show any freezer burn. Use your best judgment and your nose if it has a bad smell throw away....if slimey throw away.

By

Lilac

You really should use food within 6 months. Never eat freezer burnt food. We freeze food to take advantage of sales and to keep food we grow in the garden but with stores so close to most of us and sales going on all the time it really isn't necessary to buy food and freeze it for a year. Rotate it and use it up.

I have just had to clean out my freezer of its meat, as both my husband and I had stomach upsets after eating chicken that had come from the freezer. How long can various meats be stored in the freezer before it is unsafe to use?

I have had some cuts of beef and pork in my freezer for two years, can I cook and eat them?