Is it okay to refreeze raw meat after thawing?

The meat will lose its taste and texture.

You must have wondered at some point or the other if it is okay to thaw that piece of meat after thawing it out and realizing it late that you do not have to cook it anymore. The answer is yes you can refreeze the meat but you may not actually want to do it. Here s why.

According to USDA, it is safe to refreeze thawed raw meat but not when it is cooked. So while it is perfectly okay to purchase a previously frozen piece of salmon and store it in your freezer, you may not want to refreeze thawed poultry and meat, as you will have to compromise on the quality of meat and texture. This is because meat loses water during the defrosting process and refreezing meat also creates ice crystals on the structure of the meat that changes the fibres and leaves the meat dry.

But if you still want to go ahead and de-frost thawed meat, you need to ensure that you handle the meat properly. You can defrost the meat either by placing it in a refrigerator or in cold water. Do not leave the meat on the kitchen counter at room temperature. You should know these 5 common causes of food contamination.

Tips

• Thaw out in the refrigerator compartment itself, but separate from other items of food. Make sure to thaw the meat thoroughly.
• Marinate the meat in the fridge; use the sauce only for cooking, and not for serving. Never serve cooked meat on the same plate used for marinating.
• Once served, food should not be kept outside for more than two hours.
• If eating outdoors, use a chiller box with plenty of ice packs. Use separate boxes for food and beverages. Avoid opening the box too often to maintain the cool temperature inside. Also, avoid exposure of the chiller box to direct sunlight. Here are 5 natural ways to kill germs in raw foods.

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