Running down the freezer...

[Northerner]

I'm trying to stop myself buying food and instead using up the stuff I have in my freezer, prior to my move. Have just taken some beef mince out to make a chilli with, but have a conundrum - one is dated 'May 28th' and another 'August 17th'. The May one is almost certainly May 2017, but the August one looks a lot more deeply frozen, so I suspect that it may be 2016.

Which would you use, or would you just chuck them both away? 😱 🙂

 

[Robin]

I'd use my nose. If, when I'd defrosted either, it smelled funny, I'd chuck it, but otherwise I'd use it. ( and I'd bet on them smelling OK). You're going to cook it thoroughly anyway..

 

[trophywench]

Could have 'freezer burn' I suppose if it's been there a long while and wasn't wrapped enough - but it's still edible even with that.

Taking into account I wouldn't expect anyone to cook mince and serve it AS mince but rather add whatever to make it into something else so it gets flavoured by sauce, herbs, spices, onions, whatever - you won't even know in the finish.

 

[Vince_UK]

I once kept some sirloin steak in the freezer for 21 months, it was hidden at the bottom. I have this habit of buying food, freezing it and then buying fresh to use.
The 21 month old steak was actually very nice indeed when defrosted and grilled and absolutely perfect.
I have this theory that the ice crystal formed in the meat during freezing actually helped tenderise the steak over time.
Right or wrong it was totally perfect to eat.
If it smells ok @Northerner it should be ok.
I am no expert of course just going off my own experience.
I never pay any attention to the freezing limits or "Best By" dates on food, I only every look at the "Use By" dates especially on fish, pork and chicken that hasn't been frozen.
I have stuff here n the freezer from 2017 Chinese New Year.
Chinese people wouldn't dream of throwing anything out lol

 

[Northerner]

I wish they'd put the year on the pack as well as the month and day! 🙂

 

[Mark Parrott]

I have a habit of batch freezing cooked foods & forgetting to label the packets. Just have lots of frozen brown things.🙄

 

[Northerner]

I have a habit of batch freezing cooked foods & forgetting to label the packets. Just have lots of frozen brown things.🙄

I have had that problem too! 😱 Chicken curry is really not nice with pasta 😱

 

[eggyg]

I would use it. I use fish that has been frozen for more than 3 months, recommended, and like has been said, use your nose. So you hoard food as well? 😛

 

[eggyg]

I have a habit of batch freezing cooked foods & forgetting to label the packets. Just have lots of frozen brown things.🙄

I do that, I once thought I had defrosted a lamb Madras and was so looking forward to it and it was bolognaise! Oh I really threw my rattle out the pram! I started labelling it after that, for about a week! 😳

 

[Amigo]

I wish they'd put the year on the pack as well as the month and day! 🙂

Yes I do too northerner! I shop like a Jewish mamma and the freezer desperately needs sorting before I get concussion opening it. Always some block of meat flies out at me! 😱

I hate waste too but once the meat loses colour I never fancy it.

 

[KayC]

My husband froze a chunk of meat months ago and I found it last week. I defrosted it and cooked nice pork dinner........only to find that it was beef ! 😱 The pork dinner came out as roasted beef dinner ! 😱 O maybe it's just me.......😳😳

 

[Mark Parrott]

I've just looked back at the title of this thread & it made me think you were telling your freezer that it is rubbish.

I'll get my coat...

 

[Northerner]

I've just looked back at the title of this thread & it made me think you were telling your freezer that it is rubbish.

I'll get my coat...

Aw! Never - it's been a faithful friend to me since 2005! 🙂 Although it is past its use by date now and won't be making the journey North with me