I have a whole packer brisket I found in the bottom of my freezer that has a "use by" date of 5/2019. Is it safe or use the Meathead Motto of "When in doubt, throw it out"?
The OmegaDog
The OmegaDog
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If it has remained frozen it's safe to eat. -
Chest freezer that's been at 0F? It's ok. regular freezer that cycles? Probably still fine, but a little more eh.Comment
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If kept frozen solid, I would have not problem fixing it. low an slow. I think when internal temp get up past 165df it should be pasteurized.
Don't forget the People's Beer Reserved, PBR.Comment
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I've done stuff that was in my freezer over one year after it was in dad's freezer for over one year.Comment
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Speaking of briskets has anyone ever cooked a brisket from frozen like folks have done with pork shoulder?Comment
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If it has been in a deep freeze all this time - its just fine. FDA says food kept at 0F is good "indefinitely", but may degrade in quality. I've never found it to degrade in a deep freeze (chest style with no defrost). In a automatic defrosting freezer - I would toss it, as it has seen too much cycling and the surface will probably be a poor texture even in the cryovac.Comment
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@jfmorris.. THANKS to all who have replied to my post. My freezer is an upright freezer! Is this an automatic defrosting freezer. The meat was in the bottom basket
The OmegaDog -
OmegaDog12 you would have to check the owners manual for your model to be sure.
Likely it is still good. I would smoke it. And I've smoked brisket and butts from frozen before. It just adds an extra hour or two to the length of time, while the meat moves from -20F or 0F up to above freezing. I just don't bother with a temperature probe for the first couple of hours.
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