How to Freeze Meat to Avoid Freezer Burn

Package your frozen cuts of meat correctly to prevent freezer burn.

Buying meat on sale in bulk makes sense if you have room to store it safely. But you don't want to lose those expensive New York steaks to freezer burn. You need to package the meat correctly with the right materials to prevent freezer burn, but you need not go to the trouble of purchasing an expensive vacuum sealer.

Things You'll Need

• Plastic wrap
• Aluminum foil
• Resealable freezer bags

Instructions

1. Package your meat in serving portions suitable for your family. Large steaks are best stored individually, allowing for quick defrosting.

2. Remove the meat from its cellophane packaging tray.

3. Wrap the meat in plastic wrap as tight as possible, removing all of the air. Then wrap the plastic-covered meat in aluminum foil, removing all of the air with a tight wrap and folding the edges.

4. Wrap four to five steaks in the manner outlined in the previous steps. Place the steaks in a resealable freezer bag. Seal most of the top, leaving a small hole on one side. Then remove as much air as possible, and fully seal the bag.

Tips & Warnings

• You can keep uncooked frozen meat for four months to a year.

References

• University of Missouri Extension; Quality for Keeps: Freezer Problem Solver; Barbara J. Willenberg and Karla Vollmar Hughes