I have frozen meat that is past the expiration date. Is it safe to eat?
Yes - if the meat was safe to eat prior to freezing and has been safely stored at 0°F, it is safe to eat.
How long can I store meat in the freezer?
Freezing at 0°F keeps food safe indefinitely. Therefore, recommendations for storage are only for the quality of the food, not safety.
- Ham, fully cooked - 2 months
- Ground meat - 3-4 months
- Sausage, raw - 4 months
- Fish or shellfish - 6 months
- Chicken or turkey - 9 months
- Steaks, chops, roasts - 12 months
How should I thaw frozen food?
Ideally, frozen food should be thawed in the refrigerator. If you're pinched for time, food can also be thawed under cold running water (food should be in a leak-proof package or plastic bag), in the microwave (cook immediately after thawing), or as part of the cooking process.
Never thaw food at room temperature, such as on the kitchen counter. Once thawed, items such as ground meat, stew meat, poultry and seafood, should be cooked or refrozen within 2 days. Cuts such as roasts, chops and steaks should be cooked or refrozen within 3-5 days.
Frozen Meat Safety for Food Pantries
This handout can be a great resource to distribute to families at food pantries or food distribution sites:
- Frozen Meat Safety (English)
- Frozen Meat Safety (Spanish)
Source:
Freezing and Food Safety, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food Safety and Inspection Service
