Is it okay to use expired meat if it was frozen before the expiration date?

Question

we bought some meat back in december, but only used half of it. the other half was frozen right away. was just wondering if its okay to thaw the remaining meat today in the microwave and brown to use in spaghetti sauce. or is the meat bad, and we should just throw it out?

Answer 1

Yes, it is. If you are talking about ground beef, they say 3 to 4 months in the freezer. Exactly, if it smells the least bit off, don't use it. If it has freezer burn or the color is off from what it normally is. It always better safe than sorry. If in doubt, throw it out. I've never gotten food poisoning, nor my husband or kids from my cooking.

ground fresh meat & stew meats 3 to 4 months
pork or lamb chops & roasts 4 to 6 months
roast beef & steaks 6 to 12 months
cooked meats & meat dishes 2-3 months
fresh pork sausages, processed meats: bacon, franks, fully cooked ham, luncheon meats & smoked sausages 1 to 2 months.
fresh whole chicken, turkey, duck or goose 1 year
fresh chicken or turkey pieces 9 months
cooked poultry pieces covered with broth or gravy 6 months
" " " not covered 4 months
cooked poultry casseroles 4-6 months
fish 3-6 months

If you have a big freezer & don't go thru your meat fast, label your foods. Little white sticker labels that you buy in the pen sections of stores are pretty cheap or use a permenant black marker. Keep freezer set @ 0 & fridge between 34 -40. :)

Also, to help protect against freezer burn & keep food fresher, you can just use those ziploc type freezer bags, leave a little bit unzipped & push the air out & zip it up. I found that works just as well instead of hassling with one of those fancy vaccuum seal machines. ~which I ended up giving it away cuz sometimes (depending on the shape of the bag) it was hard to get it to seal nicely. :)

And I like Martha Stewarts rule of thumb, if you will be cooking for company or guests, always treat them with the best & fresh ingredients from the store. :)

Answer 2

I wouldnt throw it in the microwave, but that is just me. I would let it slowly thaw a day before in a container (sealed to prevent leakage) in the fridge. Slow thawing is always the best thing. If brown appears on the food, dont let that concern you...as most meat would exposed to too much oxygen. This process is called oxidation. I wont get too much into that...basically when any type of meat i exposed to oxygen their molecular structure changes, causing the meat to change color.

off that subject. it is perfectly safe to eat the meat, just take a smell at it before you cook it though. Always check that. Smell it before you go to work or in the morning when its partially thawed. Always plan ahead. If it dont smell too good take it outside before work and throw it away. Go to the store after work and buy a fresh one.

Answer 3

the general rule to follow is make sure it's frozen before the expiration date and don't use meat that's been frozen for more than 2 months. i notice that it turns brown after thawing. slight brownish color is okay. usually you can tell if it is distinctly brown and has an odor i'd toss it out.

Answer 4

We freeze meat for later all the time. You should thaw it out in a refrigerator slowly, and then cook it within a day or so of being thawed. Basically, thaw it when you intend to use it.
Microwaves have thaw cycles too.

Answer 5

You can use frozen meat without a problem. I do it all the time if I find some good special on meat.

Answer 6

Yes because you have slowed down the shelf life which was based on a refrigerated product but you put them in a freezer.

Answer 7

Expiration dates are only if you don't freeze the meat. It will be fine. If it has freezer burn, it will affect the flavor but it does not affect its nutrition content or safety.

Answer 8

It should be okay. After you thaw it out, smell it. If it smells the least bit "off" I wouldn't use it.

Answer 9

YOU CAN GO AHEAD AND USE IT, IT SHOULD BE OK AS LONG AS IT'S BEEN FROZEN, LIKE YOU SAID. I'VE DONE IT BEFORE AND NO PROBLEMS.

Answer 10

yes it is still good....i do it all the time..i cook it and eat it still. i never got sick nor hubby and the kids.