Freezing steak is a little bit of a paradox, as a result of whereas it is an effective way to economize and forestall meals waste for an costly merchandise, it is also one of many best methods to neglect you might have one thing. Most individuals aren’t within the behavior of simply rooting across the freezer searching for one thing to prepare dinner, not like the fridge or pantry, so it is normally extra of a set-it-and-forget-it storage possibility. Whilst you may need plans constructed round frozen meat, its additionally simple to let an previous merchandise get lined up within the again, after which it simply sits there, month after month, till you pull out this freezer-burned brick of meat that you do not even keep in mind placing there. So if in case you have some frozen steak that point forgot, what do you do?

Effectively in telling us about indicators it is best to throw out your frozen steak, our professional chef says not understanding how lengthy it has been again there may be really one of many first warning indicators. This is not about getting sick, as a result of freezing additionally stops the expansion of microbes in meat. So technically talking you are not way more prone to sickness from a two-year-old frozen steak than you’re with one frozen two months in the past. However throughout a time interval that lengthy the standard goes to drop off a cliff, and your steak will probably be so dry and chewy that it will not be price defrosting and cooking anymore. Sadly typically issues are only a loss.

Whereas correctly wrapped frozen steak goes to be finest inside a number of months, it would keep respectable high quality for as much as a yr. For those who suspect your steak of unknown origin is older it may be within the toss it class. If you’re on the fence, search for visible indicators of spoilage or decrease high quality. Freezer burn is the largest one, as a result of this destroys the moisture and texture. If there may be numerous discoloration, and particularly if ice crystals have grown on the meat contained in the packaging, it is in all probability misplaced. For those who defrost your steak and it has an off scent, or it is slimy, there’s a good likelihood that it wasn’t saved correctly to outlive how lengthy its been within the freezer, and must also be discarded.

If you’re somebody who simply cannot let meals go to waste, which is comprehensible, you possibly can try to make some use of your previous steak. First, solely defrost it within the fridge, as a result of whereas it should not get you sick, steak that has been saved longer shall be extra vulnerable to contamination if poorly defrosted. The harm that comes with freezer burn shall be worse on the skin, so trim away the extra clearly discolored and leathery areas. Lastly, use the meat in a braise or in beef stew recipes the place you’re including additional moisture to counteract the dryness. It in all probability will not be the most effective, nevertheless it will not be wasted.