Is it safe to refreeze thawed meat? Can you do it again and again? These are the questions I often ask myself as I continue on my journey as a questionable home cook.
To be clear, it’s never my intention to thaw and refreeze meat again and again, like I’m stuck in some Food Network version of “Groundhog Day.”
But it’s what often ends up happening anyway. Most of the time it’s because I’ve forgotten to separate the ground pork I bought into smaller portions, and I have to refreeze the remnants I didn’t cook.
I’m certainly not a stranger to yoyo-ing meat in and out of the freezer, though it’s only recently that I’ve begun to wonder whether this is all safe. In this article
Ground turkey is a versatile and healthy meat that can be a great alternative to ground beef It’s low in fat and calories while still providing a good amount of protein Many people buy ground turkey in bulk when it’s on sale and freeze portions for later use. But what if you thaw some ground turkey and don’t end up using all of it? Can you safely refreeze ground turkey?
The short answer is yes, you can refreeze ground turkey if it was thawed properly. However there are some important guidelines to follow for food safety. Below is a complete guide on whether and how to refreeze ground turkey.
Is It Safe to Refreeze Ground Turkey?
Ground turkey is safe to refreeze if it was thawed correctly. The key things to keep in mind are:
- The turkey must have been thawed slowly in the refrigerator, not at room temperature or in water. Bacteria grow rapidly at room temperature.
- The ground turkey has been stored in the fridge no more than 1-2 days after thawing.
- It has not been left out longer than 2 hours at room temperature.
- It was thawed only once – refreeze only once.
As long as the turkey was kept at a safe refrigerator temperature during thawing, it can be refrozen without any health risks. However, the taste, texture, and moisture content will be compromised with each freeze-thaw cycle. For best quality, only refreeze turkey once.
Proper Thawing Methods
Always thaw frozen ground turkey in the refrigerator, not on the counter or in warm water. Refrigerator thawing keeps the turkey at a safe, cool temperature.
Here are the guidelines for safe thawing:
- Place the frozen ground turkey on a plate or pan to catch any drips.
- Allow 24 hours of thawing for every 1 pound of turkey. A 3 pound package will need 3 full days to thoroughly thaw.
- Keep the turkey in the fridge during thawing. Do not remove it early.
- Cook the turkey within 1-2 days after it has fully thawed. Do not refreeze at this point.
- Do not thaw turkey on the counter or in hot water. This allows bacteria to grow.
Proper refrigerator thawing is the key to safely being able to refreeze ground turkey later on.
How to Freeze Ground Turkey
Follow these steps for safe ground turkey freezing:
- Make sure the turkey is not expired or near its “use by” date before freezing. Freeze fresh turkey.
- Separate the turkey into portions you will realistically use like 1 pound packages.
- Use airtight freezer bags or containers, removing as much air as possible.
- Label the packages with contents, amount, and freeze date so you know how old it is.
- Lay flat in a single layer in the freezer until solid if freezing loose turkey. This prevents clumps.
- Once solid, packages can be stacked. Place bags flat to thaw faster later.
- Store turkey at 0°F or below. Use within 3-4 months for best quality.
Proper freezing methods prevent freezer burn and makes the ground turkey easier to thaw and use later on.
How Long Does Frozen Ground Turkey Last?
Frozen ground turkey that is constantly kept at 0°F or below will technically be safe to eat indefinitely. However, the quality will eventually decline over longer storage.
For best flavor, texture, and juiciness, use frozen ground turkey within 4 months. Signs that frozen ground turkey may be expired after long term storage include:
- Ice crystals, dry spots, or freezer burn on the meat
- Unusual gray, brown, or dull coloration
- Off or strange odors when raw
- Dry, sticky, or mushy texture
- Abnormally slimy when thawed
Discard turkey with an odd appearance or smell after being frozen over 4 months. Always inspect the turkey before thawing and cooking.
What Happens When You Refreeze Ground Turkey?
Refreezing ground turkey is safe from a food safety standpoint if done properly. However, repeatedly freezing and thawing turkey does affect the quality:
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Ice crystals that form during freezing damage the meat structure leading to a mushier texture.
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More moisture is lost during the second thaw, making the turkey drier and less juicy.
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Flavors dull slightly and the meat becomes slightly softer.
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Thawed turkey spoils faster after refreezing and should be used within 1-2 days.
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The more times turkey is frozen and thawed, the more deterioration in texture and moisture content.
While refreezing does reduce the overall quality, properly handled ground turkey can be refrozen once safely.
Tips for Refreezing Ground Turkey
Here are some useful tips for successfully refreezing ground turkey:
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Only refreeze raw turkey that was thawed in the refrigerator once. Do not refreeze turkey left out at room temperature.
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Refreeze the ground turkey as soon as possible after thawing in the fridge, within 1-2 days at the most.
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Make sure turkey packages have all air removed before returning to the freezer. Air causes freezer burn.
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Use refrozen ground turkey within 2-3 months for best flavor, texture, and juiciness.
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Label turkey with the new freeze date and use older turkey first.
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Cook refrozen turkey thoroughly to an internal temperature of 165°F.
Following these guidelines allows you to safely refreeze ground turkey just once with minimal impact on its quality and taste.
Uses for Leftover Cooked Ground Turkey
Refreezing works best for raw turkey. For cooked ground turkey leftovers, use them within 3-4 days by repurposing in new recipes like:
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Turkey veggie soup – Saute veggies, turkey, broth, and seasonings.
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Casseroles – Combine turkey with rice, pasta, cheese, mushrooms, beans, or vegetables.
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Turkey salad wraps – Shred turkey with mayo, celery, onion, pepper and stuff into lettuce leaves.
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Stir frys – Slice and stir fry turkey with fresh veggies, spices, and sauce.
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Tacos or burritos – Heat turkey with taco seasoning and stuff into tortillas or taco salads.
With a little creativity, cooked turkey leftovers can be transformed into quick and delicious new meals.
The Bottom Line
Ground turkey that has been properly thawed in the refrigerator can be safely refrozen one time. Take care to thaw it slowly in the fridge, refreeze right after thawing, and use within 2-3 months for best quality. Repeated freezing does degrade the taste and texture more. But ultimately, refreezing ground turkey is safe as long as proper food handling guidelines are followed.
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Is It Safe to Defrost and Refreeze Meat?
It’s safe to defrost and refreeze meat again and again, provided you do it properly. However, what will begin to happen with repeated freezing and thawing is that the meat will become dryer and less tasty, says Donald W. Schaffner, PhD, an extension specialist in food science and a distinguished professor at Rutgers University in New Jersey.
But before we jump into that, let’s talk about what we mean by thawing the meat properly. It’s important that food be kept at a safe temperature while thawing. If the food becomes warmer than 40° F, bacteria may begin to proliferate, according to the Department of Agriculture.
So don’t do what I’ve done before, which is thaw your food on your counter. You’d be surprised how quickly bacteria like E.coli and salmonella can multiply at room temperature, says Taylor C. Wallace, PhD, an adjunct professor of the department of nutrition and food studies at George Mason University in Virginia.
The safest, most ideal way to thaw food, including meat, is in the fridge, says Amy Keating, a registered dietitian and CR food tester. Check to see whether your fridge is set to a temperature of 40° F or lower. As a general guideline, CR recommends setting it to 37° F.
After thawing food in the fridge, you can keep items such as ground meat, stew meat, poultry, and seafood there for a day or two before cooking, according to the USDA. Red meat cuts, such as beef, pork, or lamb roasts, chops, and steaks can be refrigerated for three to five days.
You can also thaw meat using cold water. Put it in a leakproof package or plastic bag and submerge it in cold tap water, changing the water every 30 minutes, the USDA suggests.
Or you can thaw it using the microwave, but if you do so, cook the meat immediately afterward because it may become warmer than 40° F in the process. And that can cause bacteria already present in the meat before freezing to multiply, says the USDA.
A big difference between the methods mentioned above is that food thawed in the fridge can be refrozen without cooking. Food thawed using cold water or the microwave has to be cooked before refreezing to be safe.
Once you’ve made sure you’ve abided by all these safety guidelines, then you should consider the loss of quality. Every time you freeze meat, water turns into ice crystals in the cells, which damages the molecular structures in the product. When the meat is thawed, water is released, and with each cycle, more moisture is lost, says Martin Bucknavage, senior food safety extension associate of Penn State’s department of food science.
The loss of moisture could lead to meat that is less juicy and has poorer texture, says Jacob R. Tuell, PhD, an assistant professor in the school of agricultural science at Northwest Missouri State University. Other potential quality changes include lipid and protein oxidation, which are chemical processes that can cause the meat to smell and taste rancid.
Consumer Reports’ Guide to Food Safety
Should You Refreeze Meat Again and Again?
Here’s the thing: As I’ve said, if you’re able to thaw and refreeze your meat properly, the main thing you need to worry about is its potential loss of quality over time.
But if we’re being realistic, it’s hard enough to get people to thaw their meat safely one time. So to do it improperly many times just increases the risk of a foodborne pathogen making people sick.
The best advice? Follow safety guidelines and be aware that every time you thaw food, you’re taking the chance of allowing any bacteria present to multiply and maybe cross-contaminate your kitchen surfaces.
Can you refreeze a thawed turkey, and how does it affect the taste?
FAQ
Can I refreeze thawed ground turkey?
Foods thawed in the refrigerator can be refrozen without cooking but there may be some loss of quality.
Can you freeze turkey meat twice?
Change the water every 30 minutes. Cook the turkey immediately after it is thawed. Do not refreeze.
Can you refreeze ground meat after thawing?
You absolutely can refreeze ground beef after thawing it. The consistency may change and may affect the taste, but if kept at proper temps while thawing, refreezing is safe and the beef can be reused.
What foods cannot be refrozen after thawing?
These principles apply to meat, poultry, shellfish, some vegetables and cooked foods. Do not refreeze ice cream and similar frozen desserts. You can cook and eat thawed but still cold food mixtures like casseroles, pot pies, frozen dinners or pizzas but do not refreeze them.
Can You refreeze ground turkey?
Yes, you can refreeze ground turkey as long as it has been thawed in the refrigerator and has not been left out at room temperature for more than two hours. However, it is important to note that the quality of the ground turkey will deteriorate each time it is frozen and thawed. How to properly freeze ground turkey
Can ground turkey be refrozen?
Yes, ground turkey can be safely refrozen if it was thawed slowly in the fridge and has not sat at room temperature for more than 2 hours. Refreezing does slightly impact the taste and texture but it does not make the turkey unsafe. For best quality, use refrozen ground turkey within 2-3 months and only refreeze once.
Can you freeze cooked turkey?
Cooked turkey has a higher risk of bacterial growth. Only refreeze turkey once. The texture and moisture will degrade after multiple freezings. As long as ground turkey was thawed slowly and properly in the fridge, refreezing it within a couple days is perfectly safe. To freeze ground turkey safely: Make sure turkey is fresh.
Can thaw ground turkey be refrigerated?
However, it is important to note that the quality of the ground turkey will deteriorate each time it is thawed and refrozen. For best results, thaw ground turkey in the refrigerator and cook it within two days. How do I thaw ground turkey? There are three safe ways to thaw ground turkey:
Can You refreeze Turkey after the holidays?
Follow these simple steps to safely refreeze turkey after the holidays or any other time you have leftovers: Be sure the turkey was thawed safely before cooking. Turkey that was left to thaw on the counter at room temperature for over 2 hours should never be refrozen or eaten. Improper thawing can breed bacteria.
Can cooked turkey be refrigerated?
Raw turkey can be refrozen if it was thawed safely in the refrigerator and was never left at room temperature for over 2 hours. Cooked turkey can also be refrozen as long as it was cooled properly before freezing. Leftover cooked turkey should not be left at room temp for longer than 2 hours total before refrigerating and freezing.