Many people still enjoy eating meat because apart from the delicious dishes that you can cook with various types of meat, it is also an excellent source of protein and other nutrients. However, you need to ensure that you are only using the freshest of high-quality meat, not only for best tasting dishes, but also to ensure your health and safety. This article tackles some of the most effective tips that will help you store meat better.
Refrigerating Meat
One of the primary things that you need to remember when it comes to storing the meat that you have bought is to refrigerate it if you don’t intend to cook it immediately. The meat experts behind Grutto suggest that you leverage a reference that will help you keep track of how long a certain type of meat will last in your freezer. For instance, ground beef will usually stay fresh for a couple of days in your fridge, while steaks, as well as chops of pork, tend to last up to five days.
The key is in ensuring that your fridge is set between 1 to 4 degrees Celsius to keep the meat fresh for longer. You should also store raw meat on the lowermost shelf of your refrigerator, with a plate underneath it, particularly when it is thawing. Also, make sure to clean your fridge periodically to ensure that it is free from bacteria.
Freezer Storage
In case you intend to store the meat that you have bought longer than a couple of days, then you can put it in your freezer. A below zero temperature will slow down the growth of mold and bacteria, eventually preserving your meat for as long as possible. Just keep in mind to remove the meat from its packaging before you store it in your freezer. After this, wrap your meat in butcher’s paper or a freezer bag. When you are ready to use it, make sure that you thaw frozen meat in your fridge or cold water because thawing it at room temperature can invite the growth of bacteria. If you have a restaurant, it’s recommended to invest in a commercial freezer for better storage and larger space. If you already have one but it’s not working, then look for a commercial walk in freezer repair service to get it checked.
Use of Vacuum Sealers
Regardless of whether you intend to store your meat in the fridge or the freezer, it is best if you can use a vacuum sealer. In this way, its freshness will be preserved for up to three to five times longer, particularly in the freezer. The reason behind this is that a vacuum sealer can significantly reduce freezer burn because of the absence of air that can absorb the meat’s moisture. Just keep in mind to perform safe meat handling practices whenever you are vacuum sealing the meat that you have purchased. Otherwise, you may seal in the harmful bacteria together with the meat.
When it comes to storing meat, you can either put it in the fridge or your freezer for it to last longer. You can even use vacuum sealers to preserve its freshness. Just keep in mind that it is still ideal to cook the meat that you buy immediately because, in this way, you will be able to maximize its flavor in your dish.