A question we get asked often is whether it is safe to put the defrosted chicken back into the freezer, and the answer is YES! The myth that it is not safe to re-freeze chicken meat that has been defrosted is a mix between two issues: quality and safety.
While it is safe to put chicken that has been defrosted below 5 degrees, back into the freezer, freezing and re-freezing chicken may deteriorate the quality of the meat.
This affects the look of the chicken meat much more than the taste, and definitely does not affect the safety of the chicken — it is still fine to cook for dinner! It's important to store meat safely in the fridge to stop bacteria from spreading and avoid food poisoning. Make sure meat is properly wrapped in the freezer or it might get freezer burn, which can make it tough and inedible. Date and label meat in the freezer and eat it within 24 hours of defrosting. You can freeze meat for a long time and it will still be safe to eat, but the quality will deteriorate so it's best to eat it within 3 to 6 months.
Do not worry if it's frozen for longer — try marinating it before cooking to improve texture or use herbs and spices to add flavour. Never refreeze raw meat including poultry or fish that has been defrosted. You can refreeze cooked meat and fish once, as long as they have been cooled before going into the freezer. If in doubt, do not refreeze. Frozen raw foods can be defrosted once and stored in the fridge for up to 24 hours before they need to be cooked or thrown away.
To reduce wastage, divide the meal into portions before freezing and then just defrost what you need. Do not throw away leftovers — they could be tomorrow's lunch! Follow these tips to make the most of them:. With more people reusing single-use plastic carrier bags or using a reusable bag for life, you can help prevent bacteria spreading to ready-to-eat food by:. If there has been any spillage, soiling or damage, plastic bags for life or single-use plastic carrier bags should ideally be disposed of.
But, it is not a bad idea to do it. It protects the moisture content of the chicken and the flavor, too. Put the chicken in a plastic resealable bag and squeeze as much air out as possible before zipping it closed. If you prefer to leave the chicken in the original packaging, wrap a layer of foil or plastic wrap around it to prevent freezer burn.
This way, the chicken does not get dried up and grey looking. Frozen chicken has to be kept at a temperature below 0 degrees F. The poultry has to be frozen quickly, or resulting ice crystals will make the meat dry and chewy. Frozen and refrozen chicken, when stored properly, can last in the freezer for up to one year. For best quality, though, use before 9 months. Right off the bat, the first step to safety with chicken is to thaw it in the fridge. Remember, every time you defrost chicken, it loses a bit of the moisture and flavor.
Thawed chicken benefits from the addition of a marinade , for example, when cooked to compensate for the lost juice. The U. Department of Agriculture has outlined three ways to safely thaw chicken:. Learn more. Can you refreeze chicken after it has been cooked from frozen Ask Question.
Asked 8 years, 4 months ago. Active 1 year, 7 months ago. Viewed k times. I can't find anything to advise if this is or isn't safe? Improve this question. Dave Dave 1, 7 7 gold badges 16 16 silver badges 29 29 bronze badges.
Add a comment. Active Oldest Votes. The issue here is not the refreezing after cooking, but rather the method of initial thawing.
The recommended methods of thawing are: In the refrigerator As part of the cooking process Under flowing cool water In the microwave One or more of these may be appropriate depending on the food item and how it will be prepared. You should use one of these methods to thaw your chicken.
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