How Long Does Beef Liver Last in Freezer
Rich in essential nutrients including protein, iron, and zinc, raw liver is an inexpensive meat that can be utilized in a variety of ways. You can use beef, chicken, or duck liver to make pâté, stews, and sauces. Can you freeze liver? Since raw liver can be used in many ways, you can always buy it in bulk for future uses. The quick answer is yes, you can freeze liver for later storage.
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Different animal livers have their own distinct flavors but they can be stored the same way. Depending on the storage conditions, beef liver will keep fresh in the fridge about 2 to 3 days beyond its expiration date. On the other hand, beef liver will keep up to 4 months in the freezer. But this goes only if the temperature is kept at a steady 0°Fahrenheit.
Lamb and chicken liver will keep fresh up to 2 months in the freezer. Chicken liver doesn't keep well in the freezer because the delicate meat has the tendency to break down during defrosting but it can be stored in the freezer too.
Never defrost frozen liver several times or leave raw liver sitting at room temperature for a long time. Bacterial growth sets in at around 40 ° and 140 °Fahrenheit. For beef liver, discard the meat if it's been sitting for more than 2 hours at room temperature. How to know if the liver has gone bad? If the liver has taken on a dull appearance, slimy texture and a sour odor, discard it. Below is a step by step guide on how can you freeze liver:
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How to Freeze Liver?
If you're freezing an unopened pack of liver, there's no need to open the package to prep the meat. Our advice is to simply insert the product in a freezer-safe, resealable plastic bag, seal it, and then stick the whole thing in the freezer.
For raw liver, you have to clean the liver first prior to freezing. Wash the liver thoroughly, removing bits of fat, etc. Since raw liver has a strong odor, you need to rub your hands with salt after cleaning the meat. Once the liver is clean, you could either slice the meat first prior to freezing or freeze the whole thing.
Start by patting the liver dry after washing thoroughly. Then, wrap the meat in aluminum foil. This will help protect the liver from freezer burns. After wrapping the meat in aluminum foil, place the meat in a heavy-duty resealable plastic bag. Squeeze as much air as you can then seal. Get a marker, write the storage date, and then stick in the freezer.
Now, if you're freezing cooked liver, wait until the liver has cooled completely before freezing. Pack the meat in a rigid plastic container with an airtight lid. Do not stuff the meat too much, give the meat enough room in the container. Cover the container with the airtight lid then stick in the freezer.
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How to Defrost Frozen Liver?
To defrost frozen liver, just transfer the container from the freezer to the fridge. Leave the liver to thaw slowly overnight for best results. However, if you're pressed for time, you can defrost frozen liver by immersing the bag in a bowl of tap water. Replace the water several times until the liver thaws. We don't recommend thawing the frozen liver in the microwave because this will ruin the texture of the meat. Never leave raw liver to thaw at room temperature because this increases the risk of bacterial growth.
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Summary
Not all people are crazy about liver but it's a tasty ingredient that adds a different dimension to meat dishes. Now that you know how can you freeze liver, you can buy this meat in bulk and keep the meat in the freezer until you're ready to use it.
Source: https://michelpoudrier.com/fresh/14982-can-you-freeze-fresh-liver.html
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