Myths and facts
Some housewives believe that freezing is just a lifesaver. Others, on the contrary, are sure that prepared foods should either be eaten or thrown away. And no exceptions. Who is right, let's figure it out together. So, here are the six most common myths:
- You can freeze any food. There are many nuances here. Young housewives do not see the difference between storing cherries or strawberries, fresh herbs or mushrooms in the chamber. And she is. Cherries will retain their shape and taste, while ripe strawberries will turn into mush when defrosted. Fresh greens do not tolerate low temperatures; if you want to preserve them for the winter, dry or salt them. Creamy sauces do not tolerate such temperature changes; they usually curdle. Do not freeze shelled or canned eggs. This doesn't answer the question of whether you can freeze cooked meat, but we'll get to that shortly.
- Time stops in the cell. Products may remain here indefinitely. This is correct, but only partly. The temperature in the freezer plays a role: the lower it is, the longer the shelf life. But if after defrosting you want to get not just food, but a tasty and healthy dish, then you shouldn’t keep it there for too long. Soups, stews and casseroles should be consumed within 2 months. Speaking about whether it is worth freezing boiled meat, we can confidently recommend such experiments, but it must be consumed within 3 months. Raw semi-finished meat products can be eaten for 12 months. Cooked poultry up to 4 months.
Beef Stroganoff and stew
You can freeze vegetable and meat stews (without sauce), but just try not to let it hang out in the freezer for six months, after defrosting it will become tasteless. The optimal shelf life is a couple of months.
But it’s better not to freeze beef stroganoff and goulash. In general, dishes with a lot of sauce can only be frozen separately from it. That is, the meat must be separated from the sauce, which is not possible in the case of beef stroganoff.
Vegetable stew. How to love carrots and spinach Read more
Freezing is the best storage method
Whether you freeze whole boiled chicken or do it in parts is up to you.
It is better to make several dishes from one chicken carcass. This will be both practical and useful: cook some for lunch and put the rest in the freezer. The technology is simple:
- decide how you will use the meat in the future and, based on this, divide the boiled chicken or freeze it whole;
- Place each piece of chicken meat in a plastic bag and tie it tightly to avoid touching other - especially raw - products;
- Place the chicken prepared in this way in the freezer - the temperature should be within -18°C.
In this form, the product will retain its quality for 5-6 days. Thawed chicken should be used immediately.
Repeated freezing will lead to tissue destruction, loss of beneficial microelements and protein, for which chicken meat is so valued.
Should you freeze smoked chicken? Definitely if you're not going to eat it now. See instructions below.
- Divide the smoked meats into parts - this will make them easier to defrost later.
- Pack the pieces in special bags for freezing - this will preserve their taste and aroma.
- The defrosted product loses its juiciness, but retains all its taste, so it is perfect for salads, hodgepodges and soups.
In order for the chicken to last longer, it is better to separate the meat from the bone, because it begins to deteriorate in these places. Shelf life also greatly depends on initial freshness, so when purchasing, pay attention to the appearance of the breast or whole chicken and the expiration date indicated on the packaging or price tag. The temperature maintained in the refrigerator also matters.
How to Freeze Smoked Chicken
- Freezing allows you to increase the shelf life of ready-to-eat meat. It is better to cut smoked chicken into pieces. Subsequently, they will defrost faster.
- Smoked chicken should only be packaged in freezer bags in order to preserve the aroma and taste as much as possible, and also to prevent contact with raw meat or fish. In smoked chicken, microorganisms multiply very quickly when thawed.
- Thawed smoked meat is best used for preparing salads, soups and hodgepodges, since after freezing it loses its juiciness, while maintaining its taste.
The freezer allows you to save food and diversify your family menu, especially if you know how to freeze boiled and smoked chicken.
How to tell if chicken has gone bad
Characteristic signs will help you identify a spoiled product:
- the appearance of gray-green color of meat;
- the presence of gray-green mold on the surface;
- the presence of a sour aroma reminiscent of ammonia;
- slimy texture.
Eating or heat-treating chicken meat that shows signs of spoilage is hazardous to health. This product must be disposed of immediately.
Proper storage of poultry meat guarantees its safety. It is important to cook and eat the purchased chicken in a timely manner, without leaving it for later.
Tips for Refreezing and Storage
From a safety standpoint, chicken can be stored in the freezer indefinitely.
However, freezing can affect its taste and texture. Here are some tips to maximize freshness (, ):
- Refreeze only at peak quality . For best flavor, try to freeze the chicken as soon as possible. Raw chicken that has been thawed for more than 2 days, as well as cooked chicken that has been stored for more than 4 days, may spoil, so do not freeze it.
- a temperature not exceeding -18 ° C. To maintain quality and prevent spoilage, store frozen chicken at or below -18°C.
- Freeze chicken quickly . Slow freezing can lead to the formation of large ice crystals. This can damage the texture of the meat, making it tough and dry. Freezing the chicken in a shallow container can help speed up the process.
- Use sealed packaging . Sealing the chicken well can help prevent frost burn caused by prolonged exposure to air. Frost burn can negatively affect flavor, texture and color.
If stored properly, refrozen raw chicken can maintain its quality for 9-12 months, and cooked chicken can last for 4 months ().
Conclusion:
Chicken stored in the freezer remains safe to eat indefinitely, but prolonged storage may affect its taste. For best quality, freeze chicken as soon as possible in an airtight container at -18°C or colder and use it within 4 to 12 months.
How long can you store cooked chicken in the refrigerator?
The finished product cannot be stored for long periods of time. Bacteria quickly begin to multiply here, which can cause serious harm to health. Following a number of tricks will extend the shelf life of chicken meat.
Boiled chicken
Boiled chicken is not the best product for long-term storage. Boiled chicken can be stored at room temperature for no more than three hours. Put it on the refrigerator shelf, and it will remain suitable for eating for 3 days (at a temperature of 4 degrees).
To prevent the product from absorbing foreign odors, store it with a lid, after wrapping it in food foil. Polyethylene is not very suitable for storage; here the meat will quickly become sticky. After three days of storage, pre-fry the product to destroy the developed pathogenic bacteria.
Do not place chicken meat near strong-smelling foods; it will easily absorb their odors.
Boiled chicken in broth
Boiled meat, along with the broth, is stored on the refrigerator shelf for up to 48 hours. Provided that the temperature inside the device is maintained not exceeding 5 degrees. It is allowed to freeze the broth in portions, defrosting it as needed.
If there is foam on the surface of the broth, pour it out immediately. This is the first sign of spoilage of the dish.
Shelf life of chicken soup
Aromatic, tasty broth often becomes the basis for preparing all kinds of soups. Ready chicken soup can be stored for no more than 48 hours. Provided that the pan is tightly closed with a lid.
How long does fried chicken last?
Eat the fried product immediately after cooking, while it has the best taste. When, after eating, there are uneaten pieces left, put them in a plastic container and in the refrigerator.
Store the dish here for up to 12 hours. Freezing chicken is allowed, but after defrosting the meat will become tough.
Baked chicken
Store baked poultry according to the same rules as fried poultry. On the refrigerator shelf - up to 12 hours.
Smoked chicken
Cook smoked chicken especially carefully. If the technology is violated, the carcass inside will not warm up to the required degree, this will affect the possibility of its consumption as food. It is better to eat small parts, for example, wings.
The presence of microscopic white spots on the surface of a product is a sign of spoilage; avoid purchasing and eating such a product.
Store smoked chicken on the refrigerator shelf for no more than a day.
Commercially produced smoked chicken is usually vacuum packed, which increases its shelf life. Eat it based on the expiration dates indicated by the manufacturer.
Sometimes unscrupulous sellers try to sell clearly damaged goods. To avoid poisoning, the chicken is carefully inspected before purchasing.
Store the product in the refrigerator for a week, provided that the temperature inside is maintained at 6 degrees. After defrosting the finished product, eat it immediately, because bacteria actively multiply inside.
Grilled chicken
Grilled chicken prepared in street fast food establishments is loved by many. It is advisable to eat all the chicken at once, without leaving it for later.
Buy such a product from a reputable place; often stale chicken meat is disguised with spices and seasonings, this is fraught with serious intestinal poisoning.
If not all the pieces have been eaten, they are stored for up to two days, at a temperature of up to 6 degrees.
Marinated chicken
Sometimes it becomes necessary to store already marinated meat in the refrigerator. For example, when plans change and going on a picnic is postponed for some time.
Is it possible to store meat in marinade? This storage option is allowed, the main thing is to put the container in the refrigerator and keep it there for no more than a day.
Stewed chicken
Store the stewed product for no more than two days. It is important to boil it before serving after storage.
Pilaf with chicken
Pilaf with chicken meat can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours. The main thing is to tightly cover the pan with a lid or wrap it in plastic wrap.
How long does KFC chicken last?
Chicken wings or thighs purchased from the KFC fast food chain should be eaten immediately. Fresh product has the best taste.
If the food was not eaten immediately, wrap it in food foil, put it on the refrigerator shelf, and store it for up to 24 hours.
Children's menu
Complementary foods begin to be given to the baby at approximately 6 months. After the vegetable purees, it’s time to try the meat. And every mother faces the same problem. It is very inconvenient to cook a small piece every day for a little one, it takes a lot of time. Is it possible to freeze boiled meat for a child?
Yes, many mothers use this method. Some people freeze small meatballs from raw minced meat so that they can be stewed with vegetables for lunch. Others boil the chicken, divide it into 3-4 servings at once and put it in the freezer. After this, all that remains is to put the contents of the bag into a pan, add vegetables, and in 15 minutes the soup is ready.
How to properly freeze food (Part 2)
We continue to understand the intricacies of proper freezing of various products. See the first part of the article here.
How to freeze bananas? Freezing bananas helps keep excess fruit from rotting if you buy more than you can eat at one time. Cut the fruit into slices, dip each piece in lemon juice to prevent browning, pack in a container or bag and place in the freezer. Once thawed, banana slices can be added to shakes, smoothies, baking toppings, etc. Use frozen bananas within three months.
How to freeze greens? Wash the greens, shake off excess moisture and dry on a paper towel. Chop the stems if desired, then spread in a thin layer on a baking sheet or tray, cover with plastic wrap and freeze. When the greens have set, transfer them to a convenient container and put them back in the freezer, where they can be stored for up to six months. To use frozen herbs, simply season the dish with them without thawing.
How to freeze milk? Because milk expands when it freezes, the container you will use should not be filled completely. You can freeze milk either in the original packaging, but then you should open it and pour out some liquid, or in a suitable container, leaving it 3-4 centimeters empty. When sending milk to the freezer, do not forget to put an expiration date on the container: if frozen, the product can be stored for up to 2 months. To defrost milk, place it in the refrigerator to thaw and then shake well. Freezing changes the texture of milk, so it is better to use it for preparing dishes that require heat treatment (dough, filling, sauces), rather than as a drink.
How to freeze boiled chicken? We all know that fresh chicken can be frozen, but it turns out that already cooked meat can also be stored for a long time. To do this, boiled or baked poultry should be cut into portions or cut into small segments. Wrap large parts in cling film and then place them in the freezer; small shredded pieces are best placed in special vacuum bags for freezing, which will prevent the meat from losing its juiciness. Boiled chicken should be defrosted in the refrigerator. Thawed meat can be added to soups, stews, sauces, or heated and used as an independent dish. The shelf life of boiled frozen chicken is 3 months.
How to freeze rice? It’s convenient to freeze rice so you always have a ready-made side dish on hand. To do this, boil the cereal until half cooked, removing it from the stove 5 minutes earlier than the time specified in the cooking instructions. Then the rice needs to be cooled for 30 minutes: the side dish for freezing should be slightly warm so that it retains moisture. Place the rice in bags so that there is some free space left, squeeze the air out of them, give them a flat shape, and place them in the freezer. When you want to use a side dish, simply put the frozen product in the microwave and heat for 3-4 minutes: this time is enough for the cereal not only to defrost, but also to become soft. You can store rice in the freezer for 4 months.
How to freeze berries? Seasonal berries can be frozen and used within six months. To do this, you need to sort the fruits, removing overripe and damaged specimens, rinse them under running water and let the liquid drain well. Clean berries should be placed on a paper towel to remove any remaining moisture, then placed in a single layer on a baking sheet and placed in the freezer. For ease of storage, frozen fruits must be packaged in small portions in containers or bags, with an expiration date marked on them. When preparing smoothies and cocktails, berries can be used without prior thawing. If you heat them, the fruits need to be thawed in the refrigerator.
How to freeze cottage cheese and cream cheese? Cottage cheese and cream cheese are perishable products, but deep freezing can increase their shelf life. To do this, wrap the original packaging in plastic wrap and place it in the freezer, setting the temperature as low as possible (at least -18 °C). If you are freezing a homemade product, use a container with an airtight lid. Cottage cheese and cream cheese can be stored in the freezer for about a month, but it is better to use the product within 2-3 weeks, until it loses its taste. Defrosting should be done in the refrigerator. When the cottage cheese has thawed, drain the separated liquid, mix the product well and use it to prepare casseroles, cheesecakes, puddings, cheesecakes and other dishes that require heat treatment. The cottage cheese and cream cheese you plan to freeze must be fresh.
How to freeze lemon zest? If you made jam or marmalade from lemons, use the peels to store the zest for future use. To do this, grate the peel on a fine grater, without touching the white shell, and place it in the freezer, packing it in bags or containers. In this form, the product can be stored for about a year. You can use the zest to flavor your favorite dishes without first defrosting it.
How to freeze bread? By freezing, you can preserve any type of bread, both home-made and factory-made. Wrap the loaf in foil, cling film or freezer paper in two thick layers, secure the ends of the package with masking tape and write the packaging date with a marker. Place the bread in the freezer, where it can be stored for 6 months. To defrost the product, place it on the refrigerator shelf and leave it for several hours.
Storing Beef or Pork
Poultry meat is good because it cooks quickly. But often there is an allergic reaction to it, especially in children. In this case, you have to abandon it and switch to young beef. Is it possible to freeze boiled meat in this case? It is tougher and more fibrous, so it is even more difficult to cook pieces weighing 60 g for a long time every day.
Beef is no different from chicken. Cut well-cooked meat into portions and freeze. You can also store the broth separately. In this case, you will always have a semi-finished product on hand for quickly preparing lunch.
