You’ve just come from the grocery or your orders from an online meat shop have just arrived, but you’re not ready to cook everything you’ve bought just yet. This is a common situation for many people and it’s during these times that knowing the basics of food safety and storage becomes essential. Improper storage of any type of food poses significant risks. Leaving meat in temperatures between 4C to 60C and exposed to oxygen, different types of bacteria may grow, leading to food spoilage, and eventually, food poisoning when consumed.
STORING MEAT IN THE REFRIGERATOR
Meats that will likely be used within the next day can be placed in the refrigerator.
Place meat in a plate/bowl.
Ensure your refrigerator is between 1C to 4C.
Store raw meat in its section, away from other types of food.
When refrigerated, meats can generally stay fresh for 1-2 days.
STORING MEAT IN THE FREEZER
Meats that won’t be used within the next day can be placed in the freezer to ensure long-term quality.
Remove meat from grocery store packaging as this will cause meat to develop freezer burn faster. Use butcher’s paper, a freezer bag, or a vacuum sealer instead.
Wrap meat in individual servings (or depending on how much you foresee you will be using at a time). This will allow you to thaw only what you need later on, while keeping the rest of the meat frozen.
Keep freezer temperature below -17C to slow the growth of mold and bacteria.
When frozen, meats can generally retain quality for up to 12 months.
THAWING FROZEN MEAT
Rapid freezing and gentle thawing are the best way to keep the quality of meat.
Plan ahead and thaw meat gently. For smaller packages, move meat from the freezer to the refrigerator a day before you plan to use them. For larger packages, these may take a few days to thaw in the fridge.
In case you don’t remember to plan ahead, place meat in a bowl of cold water or let the tap run cold water over the meat to rapid thaw. The cold water will ensure that the outside remains cold while the inside part defrosts.
Place meat on a plate or rimmed baking sheet to catch any leaks.
Meat should not be thawed in room temperature. This can invite bacteria growth and could lead to food poisoning.
WHERE TO GET THE BEST QUALITY MEAT? Meats of the best quality retain their integrity and quality when stored properly. At Premier Food Choice, we offer quality meat cuts you can safely store, cook, and enjoy at home. Head over to our website to shop our catalogue and have your meats delivered right to your doorstep!