Can You Refreeze Thawed Meat?
Yes, you can safely refreeze meat that was thawed in the refrigerator, though quality may suffer. Meat thawed using cold water or microwave methods should be cooked before refreezing. The key factor is whether the meat stayed at safe temperatures (below 40°F) during thawing. Related: Can you freeze bacon?
Key Takeaways
- Food safety depends on temperature control.
- Meat left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours should be discarded, not refrozen.
- Previously frozen meat that was thawed and cooked can be safely frozen again.
Explanation
Food safety depends on temperature control. Meat thawed slowly in the refrigerator (which stays below 40°F) remains safe throughout the process. This meat can be refrozen without cooking, though moisture loss during the freeze-thaw cycles will affect texture and quality.
Meat thawed using quick methods like cold water or microwave may have outer portions that warmed above 40°F during the process. These methods are safe for immediate cooking, but the meat should be cooked before refreezing to eliminate any bacteria that may have multiplied.
Refreezing does affect quality because ice crystals that form damage cell structure, releasing moisture when thawed. Each freeze-thaw cycle increases this effect, making meat drier and potentially tougher. For best quality, plan portions to avoid needing to refreeze.
Things to Know
- Meat left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours should be discarded, not refrozen.
- Previously frozen meat that was thawed and cooked can be safely frozen again.
- Commercially frozen meat was often frozen quickly with better texture preservation than home freezing.