How long can meat be in the freezer and still be good to eat?

Answer 1

Pretty much indefinitely if it was packaged properly.

Answer 2

Meat is a very general item.
General expiration depends on
Type of product,
Freezer temp and
storage container.

The link below gives the guide lines for Freezer Storage and very extensive.

My own experience is that first check for freezer burn, if none then thaw and do a view and smell on the item. Just because it is a light brown does not mean it is bad. Cut into it and check for pink. If it smells the least bit "off" I would throw it away or cook it up for the dog or cat.

as it says in the article, the temp can make the difference in flavor and texture, and nutrients it had when fresh.

The Swedish Medical Center Web site (but has some very sound information on it) said that the FDA said indefinatley... Not true here is the list from the FDA website.
Here's How Long Some Popular Foods Should Be Kept
PRODUCT ****STORAGE PERIOD:
***********In Refrigerator//In Freezer


Fresh Meat
Beef: Ground --1-2 days// 3-4 months
Beef: Steaks --3-5 days// 6-12 months
and roasts

Pork: Chops --3-5 days //4-6 months
Pork: Ground --1-2 days// 3-4 months
Pork: Roasts --3-5 days //4-6 months

Fish: Lean
(such as cod,
flounder,
haddock) --1-2 days //up to 6 months

Fish: Fatty
(such as blue,
perch,
salmon) --1-2 days///2-3 months

Chicken: Whole --1-2 days// 12 months
Chicken: Parts --1-2 days// 9 months
Chicken: Giblets --1-2 days// 3-4 months

Cured Meats
Lunch meat --3-5 days// 1-2 months
Sausage --1-2 days// 1-2 months
Gravy --1-2 days// 2-3 months

Dairy Products
Cheese: Swiss,
brick, and
processed --3-4 weeks// *

Milk --5 days// 1 month
Ice cream,
ice milk -- - //2-4 months

Eggs:
Fresh in shell --3 weeks// -
Eggs:
Hard-boiled --1 week// -

* Cheese can be frozen, but freezing will affect the texture and taste.

Sources: Food Marketing Institute for fish and dairy products, USDA for all other foods.

Answer 3

Simple rule of thumb:

Beef 6 months
Pork and fish 3 months
Chicken 3-6 months
Berries and juices 1 - 2 years.

Much of the safety of frozen items is how they are packaged before they are frozen. Vacuum packed and double wrapped last longer. The item begins to lose it value when the air has a chance to get to the food, however, nothing lasts for ever and even freezing will only slow down natures natural process of cell break down.

Shortened the safety time if you have removed the item from the freezer and it thawed. Refrozen items will have shorter life.

Always date (month/year) that items were placed into the freezer. It is easier to use the old items .

Remove items from the freezer when they have a white frosty look to the item or ice forms around the item.

For older items use them in stews, chilies or with other spicy items as the item may be safe to eat, but it will begin to loose it flavor.

Your items, when thawed, should look and smell like the fresh product. If they do not, a loved ones health is worth more than a pound of meat.

Be wise when you place items in your freezer. Use smaller portions and double wrap or freezer wrap each item. It is easier to take out two one pound items then it is to to take out one five pound item and try to refreeze the unused portion.

REMEMBER LIFE BEGINS WITH YOUR FREEZER

Answer 4

Technically, a year is what I've read. That's if you keep it well sealed and wrapped. If it's precooked, things like ham or hotdogs might last longer.

If there's no freezer burn, it shouldn't be to bad at a year.

Also, keep a ziplock bag with a few ice cubes in it in your freezer. If the cubes end up being a funny shape, you'll be able to tell that the temp in the freezer wasn't constant. When that happens, the safety of the eat you're eating is also questionable.

Answer 5

According to the USDA's website

Steaks 6 to 12 months
Chops 4 to 6 months
Roasts 4 to 12 months
Hamburger&stew meat 3 to 4 months

Answer 6

Meat is usually good for around some months. I usually not use meat less than 2 months because I do not think spending a week or 2 or a toilet bowl fun. (Save those precious times for drinking).

Answer 7

It depends on how well it is wrapped. We process our own deer, and when we wrap it we have 2 think layers of saran wrap, followed by freezer paper. We have meat in there from 2 years ago and it tastes great. But, my in-laws have stuff from last year that is freezer burnt, they didn't wrap it correctly..

Answer 8

6 months or so.. but make sure that the day you take it out of the freezer you cook it thoroughly, especially if the best before date has already passed... don't treat it like turkey, where you take it out and let it thaw for a day before cooking it...

if you can't remember when you put it in there, the best bet would be to get rid of it...

better to have wasted a few dollars than have everyone in the family get semonila

Answer 9

6 months

Answer 10

6 months

Answer 11

it deteriorates over time and depends on how it was packaged. if there is air in there and water, there might be freezer burn. You can see if there is freezer burn, which pretty much ruins it. but if it looks ok when you thaw it out then go ahead. it could be frozen for years.