Thread: re-freezing meat?

I had defrosted a roast to make for dinner. Sadly both DH & DD are ill and in no mood for anything other then soup. Between work and caring for them I'm really not up to making it right now. Can I re-freeze it or should I just bit the bullet and make it???

According to this, you shouldn't re-freeze thawed meat.

Sorry about your family feeling sick.

I've always heard that one should never re-freeze foods. Sometimes, I've let frozen meats hold in the refrigerator for a couple of days, though. Perhaps, the meats were slighly less juicy when cooked, but they were still tasty.

If you don't want to risk having less juicy meat, I think I'd just throw it in the oven and let it cook to use later. Either reheat it when your family is up to eating it, or use it for making sandwiches and casserolls.

a couple of suggestions.... if they are not up to anything but soup, why not make a good hearty soup with the beef, some veggies, etc.... give them mostly broth, you eat the soup....
I have always been under the impression that once you defrost meat, you need to cook it, after cooking it you can then freeze it cooked....
so.... a big pot of soup, stew, cook the roast and freeze for later use,
cook roast make sandwiches.... many ideas.... hope some of them help.

I've always read, and practiced, that if there are still ice crystals in the food, you CAN refreeze, but not if it's totally defrosted.

However, I think in this instance I'd probably either refrigerate it for a day or two until they feel better, or go ahead and cook it as already suggested - you CAN freeze the leftovers without a problem.

Hope they feel better soon!

Char

I've heard the same thing That Charski did about refreezing being okay if it's nort completely defrosted. I'd go ahead and make it though because you can always have it for lunches and leftovers. Once cooked it will keep for several more days.