How long should you keep meat?

Question

I know about keeping meat in the fridge but my specific question is how long can you keep meat if it has already been frozen? Someone told me forever but that can't be real... For instance I found a chunk of frozen meat (groun to be exact) that has a sell date by April 2005? Do you think if I thawed and cooked it then it would be safe to eat?

A C · Accepted Answer

There's information on the United States Department of Agriculture website that you might find helpful, especially the page titled Freezing and Food Safety.
  The URL is:  http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Fact_Sheets/Focus_On_Freezing/index.asp

It says that frozen food is safe indefinitely, although the quality is diminishes with time.  I've found that true from personal experience, freezer burned food tastes awful

Jake · Answer

If the meat wasn't questionable when it was frozen, it should be safe to eat after thawed and cooked.  Whether or not it will taste good is an entirely different question.  If it wasn't in a an air-tight package it may have developed "freezer burn".  This is when it looks almost desiccated from the dehydrating process caused by the air getting in contact with the meat. If this has happened, you are better off throwing it out because it will have a noticeably unpleasant taste to it and its texture will be hard .

Mel C · Answer

If the meat is frozen and is packaged properly to ensure it is airtight you should be able to keep in freezer until as such a time you are ready to use it as freezer burn will only occur if air gets into the packaging.  It is always a good idea that once the meat is thawed to double check before cooking.  I know that my mother has had frozen meats in her freezer for years on end and has thawed out and cooked and everything was fine with it.  But as the case with any meats always double check before cooking.  You can definitley have food in freezer for longer than 30 days and still eat it I mean that is what freezers are made for.

dreamaker1292 · Answer

no do not eat that it can have freezer burn that can cause you a terrible stomach ache. now generally you should use it with in 30 days anything after you should inspec it for white spots if it has some do not eat it it has freezer burn. one reason is you don't know how long it was froze before you bought it.

Paul · Answer

It probably won't taste good.  I think anything frozen eventually tastes bad after 6 months.

nobody · Answer

the best way to find out is to thaw it out and see if it has an odor if so throw it out

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How long should you keep meat?

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