caitlinsmom Posted August 28, 2011 Share Posted August 28, 2011 On Monday afternoon our upright freezer was unplugged temporarily. We forgot to plug it back in. Today we noticed it. All 300lbs of meat is thawed but still very cold. Do I cook like mad and refreeze it or is it a lost cause and needs to be tossed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justamouse Posted August 28, 2011 Share Posted August 28, 2011 Oh that sucks so bad. I wouldn't toss it, but can you share it quickly? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WiseOwlKnits Posted August 28, 2011 Share Posted August 28, 2011 I'd probably still use it, but make sure it was very thoroughly cooked and check it for smells and such. If it had an odd smell or look to it, I'd toss it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JenneinCA Posted August 28, 2011 Share Posted August 28, 2011 I would get cooking. It is probably fine for now, but I wouldn't try refreezing it until it was cooked (and cooled). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaxMom Posted August 28, 2011 Share Posted August 28, 2011 Cook like mad and share the love! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justamouse Posted August 28, 2011 Share Posted August 28, 2011 Can you make a bunch of meals and then tuck them back in the freezer for later use? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted August 28, 2011 Share Posted August 28, 2011 Can you make a bunch of meals and then tuck them back in the freezer for later use? This. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elise1mds Posted August 28, 2011 Share Posted August 28, 2011 Agreed. I wouldn't refreeze the raw meat, but if you cook it and refreeze it, it should be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abbeyej Posted August 28, 2011 Share Posted August 28, 2011 Cook now. If you can freeze the cooked forms, go for it. If not, share. But no, you can't re-freeze at this point. :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamauk Posted August 28, 2011 Share Posted August 28, 2011 I think it's time for a hard core freezer cooking session! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted August 28, 2011 Share Posted August 28, 2011 On Monday afternoon our upright freezer was unplugged temporarily. We forgot to plug it back in. Today we noticed it. All 300lbs of meat is thawed but still very cold. Do I cook like mad and refreeze it or is it a lost cause and needs to be tossed? I would recommend going through bit by bit and cook like mad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caitlinsmom Posted August 28, 2011 Author Share Posted August 28, 2011 :) Dang it! I was hoping to save myself the work (and the meat). Well I guess I know what I will be doing tomorrow. I have about 16lbs in the crock pots right now. Its going to be a long day tomorrow. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KristyND Posted August 28, 2011 Share Posted August 28, 2011 You should be fine to refreeze http://www.foodsafety.gov/keep/charts/frozen_food.html http://www.fsis.usda.gov/factsheets/focus_on_freezing/index.asp#16 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrs.m Posted August 28, 2011 Share Posted August 28, 2011 I would check to make sure it is good and go ahead and refreeze. Almost all the meats we purchase in the store have been frozen and then thawed for the shelf. We never think twice about refreezing those and consider it the first freeze! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpidarkomama Posted August 28, 2011 Share Posted August 28, 2011 You should be fine to refreeze http://www.foodsafety.gov/keep/charts/frozen_food.html http://www.fsis.usda.gov/factsheets/focus_on_freezing/index.asp#16 :iagree: I was surprised there were so many no votes! If it was still very cold, I see no reason not to refreeze. The texture may not be as good after an extra defrost/refreeze, but that's it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom0012 Posted August 28, 2011 Share Posted August 28, 2011 I would check to make sure it is good and go ahead and refreeze. Almost all the meats we purchase in the store have been frozen and then thawed for the shelf. We never think twice about refreezing those and consider it the first freeze! Yes, if the meat was still cold, I would just refreeze it. If it was too warm to refreeze, then I probably wouldn't eat it, even cooked. Lisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denisemomof4 Posted August 28, 2011 Share Posted August 28, 2011 if it's cold, I'd think it'd still be good. I'd cook it all and refreeze it. What a HUGE job that will be! But it's better than throwing all that meat, and money, down the drain.:grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denisemomof4 Posted August 28, 2011 Share Posted August 28, 2011 I wouldn't recommend refreezing. It has to be a certain HIGH percentage still frozen to refreeze it. Thawed meat that's refrozen tastes gross and is very tough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnM Posted August 28, 2011 Share Posted August 28, 2011 I was told that if there are still ANY ice crystals on it that it would be fine to refreeze. I have refrozen meat before, although I think it is better to cook and freeze. I am so sorry you have had this happen. I have had it happen before but with far less meat. Dawn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hsmom Posted August 28, 2011 Share Posted August 28, 2011 That is horrible, but at least you are able to still use all that meat. Now a few suggestions of what to do so you can freeze when done then pop in the oven for a quick meal later. Roasts with gravy, stews, BBQ chicken, BBQ ribs, soups, chilies, or just have the meats ready for other stuff. Like chicken and beef cut into strips of fajitas, cubed for soups or casseroles, gosh the list can go on and on. Oh don't forget to prepare it different ways, slow cooker, grill, baked, etc that way you have so many different ways to use it later. My first thought was yeah time to make jerky.:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HLDoll Posted August 28, 2011 Share Posted August 28, 2011 Something similar happened to my mom when 2 of my brothers were still teens at home. I don't remember how many pounds of meat ended up thawed, but she just cooked it all up in one weekend and had a meat party and invited a bunch of people over. She had pulled BBQ, grilled chicken, buffalo chicken dip, steaks, stew, etc. I think she may have frozen some of those leftovers after the party, but she shared a lot of it first. It's probably been almost 10 years, but some of my brothers' friends who are grown and married still ask her every once in a while when she's going to leave the freezer door open again. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Marple Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 (edited) :glare: We arrived home from church last night to discover that our garage freezer in which a whole beef is stored was beginning to thaw. The hamburger meat appeared to be the most affected - it was all thawed. But the steaks and roasts were thawed to various degrees although some items were still completely frozen. This freezer is the type that must be defrosted so there was still a lot of ice in the freezer. I re-froze the majority, but I will cook those items that were closest to the door or in the door compartments and completely thawed today. So what do I do with round steak, sirloin steak, and roasts that will be easy to prepare and freeze well? I don't really care if it is a complete meal or not. I just want to get it cooked and back in the freezer. I will fry up the hamburger and package it in zip-locks for later use in casseroles, etc. Any suggestions? ETA: I'm not sure how this came under another post (at least that's what I'm seeing on my screen) since I clicked on "new thread" - weird! Edited August 29, 2011 by CynthiaOK gremlins Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hsmom Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 Chicken fried steaks, cube up meat and brown for stews and chilies, make up a great roast beef with only gravy freeze it to use for roast beef sandwiches or a quick roast on a busy night, grill the steaks then slice thin for sandwiches- casseroles-fajitas- salads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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