Is it okay to freeze ground beef in original packaging?

Question

I have read that if you want to keep meat frozen for a long time you should use freezer wrap. I prefer to just throw them into the freezer within a day of purchase. I have some beef that I purchased not two weeks ago and it's been in the freezer in the original packaging. It shouldn't hurt anything, should it?

I know this may seem like a boneheaded question but I also have my little boy to think of. I like to play it safe where he's concerned.

Answer 1

i usally wrap the orginal in either freezer paper or foil and label the contents and date i put it in the freezer the thin wrap they use has a tendancy to let it freezer burn if it is in freezer any lenght of time...

Answer 2

Freezing Ground Beef

Answer 3

Here is a Freezer storage chart. Some of the answers that you have been given say to not keep meat in the freezer for so and so time. The times seemed a little short to me. This chart comes from the USDA. There are some other valuable tips at the link below.

FREEZER STORAGE CHART (0 °F)
Note: Frozen foods remain safe indefinitely; storage recommendations are for quality only.

FOOD FREEZER
MEATS, FRESH
Beef or venison, roasts, steaks 6-12 months
Chicken or turkey, pieces 9-12 months
Chicken or turkey, whole 1 year
Ducks, geese, game birds 6 months
Ground meat or stew, giblets 3-4 months
Lamb, roast or chops 6-9 months
Pork, roasts or chops 4-6 months
Pre-stuffed chops or chicken breast *
Sausage 1-2 months
Variety meats: heart, liver, etc. 3-4 months
Meats, Cooked
Smoked breakfast sausage 1-2 months
Ham, hotdogs, luncheon meats 1-2 months
Cooked, leftover meat, gravy 2-3 months
Cooked, leftover poultry 4-6 months
Leftover chicken nuggets 1-3 months
SEAFOOD, FRESH
Fresh lean fish: cod, flounder, trout,
haddock, halibut, pollack, perch 4-6 months
Fresh fatty fish: Mullet, salmon,
swordfish, mackerel, bluefish, tuna smelt 2-3 months
Shellfish 3 months
COOKED FISH
Fish sticks, commercial 18 months
Breaded shrimp, commercial 1 year
Breaded scallops, commercial 16 months
Cooked pieces 3 months
*Not recommended due to safety issues.



Sources:

FSIS/USDA (1994). Focus on: Freezing. [WWW document]. URL http://www.fsis.usda.gov

Answer 4

Its fine. If your going to have it in there for more than 30 days I would wrap it in freezer wrapper. Don't keep meat longer than 6 months in the freezer. At least I don't.

Answer 5

I've been doing that for over 20 years and haven't had any problems. My mother in law just wraps hers in foil before she freezes it for extra protection, but she only cooks for herself so hers stays in the freezer longer than mine does.

If I am going to use the ground beef for spaghetti, or something like that where it needs to be browned, I will cook it before I freeze it, and separate it into the amounts needed for different recipes.

This in not a boneheaded question. You are being a good mom asking.

Answer 6

I always just toss my ground beef in the freezer, and I only repackage it if I need smaller portions. I've never had any trouble, and I have kept meat in there for longer than two weeks.

Answer 7

You a month and a half before freezer burn sets in to the meat and changes the flavor and texture.
caution: thaw the meat slowly, in the refridgerator 2-3 days before use

Answer 8

No it is not good to freeze in original packaging. It is best to separate it and freeze it in a freezer bag.

Answer 9

i've kept chopmeat in it's original packaging for as long as a month and have had no ill effects. doesn't freezer burn and still has taste.

Answer 10

Its called freezer burn. If left for a long time.