Cooking Freezer Burned Meat

Tip: Cooking Freezer Burned Meat

When meat has freezer burn, is it safe to simmer it down for a soup stock or should I throw it out?

By Sandra from PA

Feedback:

RE: Cooking Freezer Burned Meat

If the meat is not badly freezer burned, trim the burned areas and use it. I have done so with no ill effects. If badly burned, or if you decide not to use it, you could offer the frozen meat on Freecycle. People who feed their animals a raw diet would love to have it. I've done this too. (05/18/2010)

By Omanana

RE: Cooking Freezer Burned Meat

Do not eat it. Federal safe food guidelines say no. (05/18/2010)

By Lilac

RE: Cooking Freezer Burned Meat

As long as you originally froze it by the original "sell by date" and it has not been thawed even once since then it is completely safe to eat according to the FDA and simply won't be as tasty. I am not sure if you would want to use it to make soup stock though because the flavor is degraded once freezer burned, but you can use it to bulk up soup or skillet recipes. Please be sure to thaw it in the refrigerator though. (05/18/2010)

By Deeli

RE: Cooking Freezer Burned Meat

The trouble with anything that's freezer-burnt is that a lot of times it has a bad taste to it. (05/20/2010)

By Maryeileen

Request: Cooking Freezer Burned Meat

Is there any way to marinade, cook, etc. meat that is freezer burned?

By S.L.

Feedback:

RE: Cooking Freezer Burned Meat

I suggest not to cook or eat freezer burned meat, good luck. (01/25/2010)

By kffrmw88

RE: Cooking Freezer Burned Meat

I found this on an educational website which is listed below, the info is on freezer burned meat. I have used freezer burned boneless skinless chicken breast. I just cut off the freezer burn pieces and cooked the rest. No problem.

Here is the info:

Question 3: Is it safe to eat food that has "freezer burn"?

Answer: "Freezer burn", a condition in which the surface of food appears light-colored and dried out, occurs when moisture on the surface evaporates. Proper cooling, air removal, moisture-vapor-resistant packaging, a tight seal and an appropriate length of storage help prevent freezer burn. Keep your freezer at 0 F or lower.

While a food with freezer burn is safe to eat, the quality is lower. You can cut away freezer burn spots either before or after cooking. If a food is heavily freezer-burned, it may be desirable to discard it for quality reasons.

For more information about how to freeze food to help prevent freezer burn, check these links:

Containers for Freezing
National Center for Home Food Preservation
uga.edu

Packaging and Labeling Foods
National Center for Home Food Preservation
uga.edu

Cold Storage Chart
USDA/FDA
foodsafety.gov
lancaster.unl.edu (01/26/2010)

By Indianone

RE: Cooking Freezer Burned Meat

I recently found a three year old chuck steak in my freezer. It appeared badly freezer burned, but had been frozen solid the whole time, so I felt it was safe to eat. I cut it into small cubes, browned it on the stovetop, then put it in the crock pot with sauteed onions and bell peppers, and a mixture of barbecue sauce and ketchup. It turned out fine, and I had no ill effects. (01/27/2010)

By ChloeA