Big dinner, late cancelation, extra steaks

[AN89AG]

Bought 8 NY Prime steaks from Costco, about 17oz each. Froze 2 steak “for later”, and 6 dry-brined in fridge overnight (less than 20 hours). Morning of, 3 guests call in sick. I figure we can eat 3 steaks, and 1 is enough for “leftovers”. What can/should I have done with the other two? I decided to vacuum-bag and freeze the two “extras” without cooking them.

I slow cook on a MAK 2 Star pellet and then sear in a cast-iron skillet.

Question is, does the dry-brining affect the steaks enough to matter (eg will this be the same as other frozen steaks)? Or should I have cooked them and then frozen? Partially cooked them, and then finish later? Cook, but not sear, then freeze…?

I also have a sous vide cooker that I can use to reanimate cooked steak as needed.

Thanks for your thoughts,
John

[Donw]

I dry brine raw meats often and then freeze. Just remember to mark the package to remind yourself that you already dry brined. Doesn’t hurt a thing, saves you a later step, and a plus if you sous vide anything.

[Michael_in_TX]

I really need to start doing this.

[TripleB]

I'll remember that next time. Never thought of dry brining and then freezing.

[ecowper]

Like Donw I will often dry brine raw meat and then freeze. This means far less having to plan ahead a day. I even take the meat straight from the freezer to the grill, especially works well for pork butt.

[SheilaAnn]

👆🏼👆🏼👆🏼

what they said

[Mosca]

Since you already have some frozen, just make sure you mark the outside, which ones have been brined and which have not.

[AN89AG]

Excellent! Thanks everyone, looks like I made the correct decision, at least THIS time🙌🏻