We regularly get the question: what is the best way to store Irish beef? In the fridge or in the freezer? And is that at the expense of quality? To help you on your way, we have listed all the storage tips in a handy way.
Veilig met vlees
Irish beef should be handled with care so that the taste is preserved and food safety is not compromised. Therefore, always keep these points in mind:
- In the store, pay attention to the expiration date and whether the packaging is intact.
- Keep meat refrigerated, so bacteria don’t stand a chance.
- In summer, it is advisable to transport meat in a cooler bag after purchase.
- Busy with raw meat in the kitchen? Wash your hands regularly.
- Do not put prepared meat on a shelf that has previously had unprepared meat on it and do not use the same knife over and over again for different actions.
- Never defrost frozen meat in hot water, on the heater or in the sun. The juices run out too quickly and bacteria have free rein.
- Microwaved meat should be prepared on the same day. It is better to let the meat thaw in the refrigerator a day in advance.
- Avoid (indirect) contact between raw and prepared meat via plates, dishes, cooking utensils such as knives and cutting boards. Always clean everything thoroughly.
- Also keep the refrigerator clean, then fresh products stay fresh longer because bacteria and fungi have less chance.
In de koelkast
- The ideal temperature for storing meat is between 2 and 5 degrees.
- Place meat in the coldest place in the refrigerator. It’s located just above the vegetable drawer in the back.
- Beef can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. But always check the expiration date on the packaging.
Invriezen
You can freeze meat well without sacrificing quality. What should you pay attention to?
- Raw meat can only be frozen once. The tenderness and taste intensity then decrease noticeably.
- Do you want to store thawed meat longer? Prepare it and freeze it again.
- The quality of meat is best preserved if the freezing process is as fast as possible. Therefore, put meat in the back of the freezer, which is the coldest place.
- Use a clean freezer at -18 degrees Celsius or colder.
- The larger a piece of meat, the longer it will last in the freezer. Here are the expiration dates:
– Beef: 6 months.
– Meat that has been prepared: 2 to 3 months.
Thaw
- Where freezing has to be done quickly, the opposite applies to thawing. Place frozen meat at the bottom of the refrigerator one day before use, so that the juices are optimally preserved.
- You can also defrost meat in the microwave, which does affect the quality.
Waarom Iers rundvlees?
In Ireland, there’s no shortage of that one special ingredient that makes for great beef: grass. An Irish cattle walks outside in vast meadows for an average of 220 days a year, 24 hours a day and then eats… grass! The outdoors and grass diet makes for just extraordinary beef, nice and tender with an intense meat flavor.
