Re-freezing meat? Need advice please!

[Nadia_]

Hi,

Yesterday, I took a package of breast of turkey ground turkey to defrost overnight. The freeze/use by date was Oct. 6th. It is defrosted now, and I just made plans to go away for the weekend and won't be able to use it until probably Monday. Can I re-freeze or leave it in the fridge until Monday?
Thanks!​

 

[Zhizara]

When did you put it IN the freezer?

If it was frozen before the expiration date, I personally would just put it back in the freezer.

If it was about to expire when it was originally frozen, I'm not so sure. One thing you could do, though, is cook it up and THEN freeze it for later use.

 

[Nadia_]

Hi Zhizara
I put in the freezer directly from the grocery store, before the expiration date.

Thanks for the advice! I think I will put it back in the freezer.
​

 

[Bolas De Fraile]

I don't think you will poison yourself if you re-freeze, but the structure of the meat will be broken down by the ice crystals expanding on defrosting twice.

 

[Barbara L]

It would be best to cook it first, then refreeze it.

Barbara

 

[buckytom]

it'll be ok to refreeze, but will be slightly mushier and fractionally less tasty.

 

[DaveSoMD]

Check out this thread.

http://www.discusscooking.com/forums/f129/hm-refreeze-66229.html

and find the post by GrillingFool.

 

[CookLikeJulia]

I would go for the advice of BarbaraL at Zhizara, cook it and then refreeze again. But there will be an effect of the food quality like, it will not be tasty and less juicy.