Is it possible to freeze jellied meat in the freezer: how to properly freeze and defrost jellied meat

If a lot of jellied meat is prepared, it becomes necessary to preserve the product for as long as possible. But not everyone knows whether it is possible to freeze jellied meat and how to do it. Of course, this dish can be frozen, but only if the composition consists of natural ingredients (without gelatin, agar-agar).

Shelf life of jellied meat

Each housewife's homemade jelly has a different shelf life. For example, some believe that this dish should be eaten within the first 24 hours after preparation, while others claim that jellied meat can be perfectly stored in the refrigerator for a week, without losing its taste or consistency.

However, you need to understand that the shelf life is affected by:

1. Compound.
2. Storage temperature.
3. The container selected for storage.

SES gives the following storage standards for homemade jellied meat:

1. At temperatures up to +10 degrees, the shelf life is a maximum of 3 days. Around day 5, the process of protein oxidation begins, as a result of which there may be negative consequences from eating such a snack. If a gray film has formed on the surface, the product needs to be disposed of immediately.
2. If frozen, the product can be stored for up to 2 months. Some housewives store it for up to 3 months.But you need to understand that the taste becomes worse, as the liquid evaporates and the finished dish actively absorbs foreign odors in the freezer.

Therefore, the best option is not to experiment with the finished product and eat it in the first few days, which will definitely guarantee the freshness of the snack.

Attention! If the jellied meat in the refrigerator begins to thaw, this indicates that the shelf life has come to an end and the product needs to be disposed of.

Storage conditions

The shelf life of a store-bought product is indicated by the manufacturer on the packaging, which may vary significantly depending on the manufacturer and the chosen manufacturing technology. If we take average terms, they vary from 7 to 10 days.

In Russia, periods have been established during which the finished product can be stored and be completely safe for consumption. Considering that the product includes meat, jellied meat has a perishable status. Both homemade and factory-made jelly should be stored in a cold place, which eliminates the rapid process of spoilage. It is recommended to eat a store-bought snack within the first 36 hours after purchase.

It is recommended to adhere to the following tips:

1. If the composition includes vegetables, eggs and herbs, then the maximum shelf life is 4 days.
2. It is recommended to store the product in a well-closed container at temperatures up to +5 degrees.
3. It is recommended to send the jelly to a cold place only after it has completely cooled down.
4. The storage temperature must be stable; sudden changes are not allowed.

If the purchased product is in vacuum packaging, then the shelf life in the refrigerator is 10 days, homemade jellied meat is up to 5 days.

Advice! During the winter, the finished product can be stored outside at a temperature not exceeding -5 degrees.

Freezing Tips

To freeze jellied meat so that it retains its taste and lasts for a long time, a product prepared no more than 24 hours ago is placed in the freezer. The best option is to cook, wait until it cools completely and freeze.

The freezing process is carried out as follows:

1. First of all, it is recommended to divide the finished jelly into parts and place them in clean and tightly closed containers. Thanks to this, you can eliminate the possibility that the jelly will begin to absorb the odors of other food products.
2. If you plan to freeze a product that has just been prepared, then it is also poured into containers, but in this case it is not recommended to fill it to the brim, since the liquid will increase in volume, as a result of which the container may not hold up and burst.
3. If there is no container with a tight-fitting lid, you can pour the jellied meat into any containers, then wrap tightly with cling film.
4. Containers must be placed on the most flat surface possible.

One of the tricks of experienced housewives, thanks to which you can preserve the product for a longer period, is the use of quick freezing. At temperatures from -18 degrees, the jellied meat freezes evenly, with no crystallization at all.

Attention! If there are no temperature changes in the freezer, the shelf life of the finished product is 60 days. If deep freezing was used, the period increases to 6 months.

How to defrost jellied meat correctly

We have sorted out how to properly freeze jellied meat, now you can understand how to defrost it later, since this process also has some features.

Since the structure of the product changes during freezing, it needs to be restored, and to do this, perform the following actions:

1. Remove the jellied meat from the freezer and leave it to defrost in the refrigerator. The consistency of the dish will become liquid.
2. Transfer the jellied meat into a deep enamel bowl, put on low heat and bring to a boil, but it is not recommended to boil, as in this case the broth will become quite cloudy.
3. If necessary, add salt and other spices (relevant if none of this was added before freezing).
4. Pour the prepared dish into clean containers, cool at room temperature, then transfer to the refrigerator to harden - for about 5-6 hours.

If you follow all the technologies during freezing of the finished product and it is recommended, then after heating the jellied meat, the taste, aroma, and nutritional components will be preserved.

Attention! After the jelly has been safely thawed, it is recommended to store it at temperatures up to +5 degrees for a maximum of 48 hours, but no more.