A great kitchen cost-saving strategy is to buy chicken in bulk and freeze it. Chicken can easily be frozen, and we’ve put together this helpful guide to get you started.
Here at Budget Delicious, we love chicken recipes. Chicken is flavorful, versatile, and best of all, it’s budget-friendly.
We frequently advise freezing chicken that you buy on sale or in bulk so that you can use it later. One of the least expensive meat options is chicken, which is also frequently on sale. Another great way to save money on chicken is to buy it in bulk at wholesale clubs. Because you are buying in large quantities, the cost is frequently less than what you would pay at a grocery store sale.
Raw chicken has a short shelf life and can be frozen to extend it by up to a year. Because the vacuum sealer removes extra air for you before sealing the chicken, using one is ideal. You can freeze chicken using freezer bags because not everyone has a vacuum sealer, so we’ve created this guide to help you do it.
How Long Can You Freeze Chicken?
The short answer is…forever. According to the USDA, chicken will keep indefinitely as long as it is stored at a consistent temperature of 0 degrees Fahrenheit. (Hint: That’s how cold your freezer should be.) But just because you can keep a bird in the freezer for two years doesn’t mean that you should. Although chicken that has been properly frozen for years won’t make you sick, it will undergo some unappetizing changes in texture and taste. For this reason, the USDA has some more practical guidelines: A whole chicken will taste fresh after up to one year in the freezer, while frozen chicken pieces should be consumed within nine months for optimal texture and flavor. That’s still a pretty good run, so it’s unlikely you’ll ever need to toss your frozen chicken. (Note: Poultry that has been cooked prior to freezing doesn’t fare quite as well—if you sautéed that chicken breast before you stuck it in the freezer, be sure to eat it within four months.)
Do you have to package chicken a specific way to prevent freezer burn?
“The best method would be to vacuum-seal, as this removes air from the packaging and seals the bag,” says Sidoti. “If you dont have the right equipment for this method, you can also place the chicken breasts in freezer bags and manually push out as much air as possible before zipping them shut.”6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e
If you’re not confident using your hands, Chef White suggests another approach.
White advises that all the air must be expelled before sealing, either manually or using the water displacement method, for the best outcomes. In order to use the water displacement method, you must put the chicken in a freezer bag, submerge the bag up to the seal, expel all air, and then seal the bag. “.
However, he also agrees with Sidoti and says that vacuum-sealing the chicken is your best bet at preventing freezer burn. Do you know why freezer burn happens? Sidoti explains that its the process that occurs when the chicken is exposed to air, undergoing dehydration. Foods that have experienced freezer burn are safe to eat, but they likely wont taste as good.
White continues, “Freezer bags would be another way to store chicken in the freezer.” Chicken can also be frozen in its original grocery store packaging. I advise you to wrap the package in aluminum foil to add an additional layer of security. “.
RELATED: These are the easy, at-home recipes that help you lose weight.
How to Tell If Your Frozen Chicken Is Still Good
It is extremely unlikely that your frozen chicken will be contaminated if your chicken was still fresh when you placed it in the freezer (and your freezer is functioning properly). But when you’re defrosting, things can go wrong (best practices are listed below), so it’s crucial to know how to spot spoiled poultry just in case. The USDA states that because of the high bacterial counts, “Spoilage bacteria can cause meat or poultry to turn a dark color, develop an objectionable odor, and become slimy.” Conclusion: It’s best to avoid taking a chance if your chicken smells strange, looks sickly gray-green, or feels unusually slick after thawing.
It’s good news that freezing raw chicken is surprisingly easy. Actually, all you need to do is place your poultry in a freezer-safe container and seal it. Chicken (or any meat, for that matter) shouldn’t be kept in the front or door of your freezer because these areas can experience temperature fluctuations. Instead, tuck your sealed poultry in the back so that it can last as long as possible safe and fresh.
FAQ
How long can you keep uncooked chicken breast in the freezer?
If frozen properly, raw chicken can be kept indefinitely, but the USDA advises using it within a year if it is whole and within nine months if it has been cut into parts.
Is 2 year old frozen chicken still good?
After freezing, it doesn’t matter if any package dates are approaching expiration because chicken can be kept continuously frozen and remain safe indefinitely. Keep whole raw chicken in the freezer for up to a year, parts for up to nine months, and giblets or ground chicken for up to four months for the best quality, taste, and texture.
Can you eat chicken breast that has been frozen for a year?
Are they still safe to eat? A. Yes, the chicken would be safe to eat as long as it was fresh when it was frozen and has stayed completely frozen ever since. However, it may not be very tasty. After being frozen for so long, chicken may develop freezer burn or dryness.