How long can you keep beef in the freezer-not a question, but an answer.

[Mosca]

I was going through the freezer Monday, looking for the rib roast that I had saved for Christmas. I didn’t find it. It might actually be there, but I think I mistook a chuck roast for a rib roast the last time I did inventory. (No big deal, I went down to Wegman’s and picked up a nice choice roast that should be perfect.)

What I did find, however, were a couple ribeye steaks that had found their way to the bottom of the chest. Well, I’m pretty sure I got those in December of 2019. Maybe January 2020? It was definitely pre-pandemic, I know that.

I keep my freezer cold. Really cold. It cycles between -2° and -15° or so.

I defrosted these steaks in the meat keeper section of the fridge, and we’re having them for dinner tonight. I cut the packages open to salt them, about 4 hours before cooking; these steaks are beautiful. They have that wonderful sweet smell of prime beef, nothing at all off about them. They have the look, smell, and feel that I would expect had they arrived yesterday.

Keep your inventory really cold, and it will last.

[efincoop]

I'm looking forward to hearing if they taste equally as good as they smell.

[Mosca]

Confidence is high. They’re Creekstone. They arrived frozen hard as a rock (in mid winter) and have stayed that way.

[jfmorris]

I’m defrosting a 7 pound prime rib (usda prime) that I bought and froze in December 2019. It’s been in the bottom of the deep freeze which sits between -20F and -30F according to the Thermoworks freezer alarm. I’m slicing it into thin ribeye steaks for hibachi for my son’s birthday on the 26th. I probably could have waited another day or two, but figure a week thawing in the fridge wouldn’t hurt it.

[scottranda]

Can I be your son? 😋

[jfmorris]

Haha sure thing scottranda ! I recall doing this exact same thing last year for his birthday - i.e. cutting up a prime rib for hibachi steak. But at $5.79 a pound, it's the best deal going right now...

[DavidNorcross]

Love this. Thank you for sharing. Let us know how they taste.

[Donw]

I know we are still eating meats from our freezers we bought before your roast’s momma was born so I know it will be good.🙂

[Steve R.]

Yep, just keep them away from a frost-free freezer and they should fine for a good while.

[smokenoob]

I need to start turning the temperature down farther when I sleep at night…..

[Mosca]

These steaks were excellent, exactly as a Creekstone prime ribeye should be.

Unfortunately the photo isn’t as good as the steak.

[fzxdoc]

That steak is on the move! I hope you got to eat it before it escaped.

Kathryn

[synodog]

I have a couple of thick ribeyes cut from a rib roast in 2020 in the freezer. It looks like now is as good a time as any. I don’t remember where I got them but it was probably Costco.

[Thunder77]

I have you all beat! I recently cooked a brisket that was in my deep freezer, dated 2017!

[scottranda]

Impressive!!

[tamidw]

We have beef in freezer from a few years ago we’re still working on since we get 1/2 beef every year. I’d rather have it and go slow through it than have to run to store for it. The butcher vacuum seals it and as long as I’m gentle putting it in freezer not to make holes in package, it’s been great.

[Bkhuna]

The key is to eliminate air. A good vacuum seal pouch that doesn't leak (bad seal, pin hole, etc.) whether done commercially or at home will keep meat good for a couple of years. I've never tested it out any further than that. Vigilance in labeling is a must.