How Long Can Steak Stay in the Freezer?
Updated: 2 hours ago
How long can steak stay in the freezer? Wrapped airtight and frozen at 0°F, steak keeps its quality for months, and a vacuum-sealed Pre steak holds up even better.
So you just bought a delicious steak and realize you cannot eat it before it goes bad. Toss it in the freezer! Here is how to freeze it right, and how to get it back on the plate. Not sure how long it lasts in the fridge first? Read how long raw steak lasts in the refrigerator.
How long can steak stay in the freezer?
Frozen at 0°F, steak stays safe indefinitely. For the best quality, plan to cook it within about 6 to 12 months. How long it keeps its quality depends on the packaging. A steak in Pre's patented, vacuum-sealed, airtight packaging will hold up in the freezer significantly longer than a butcher-wrapped steak. If you buy steak at the butcher counter and wrap it in plastic wrap yourself, it will likely suffer from freezer burn within a few months.
How to properly freeze a steak
Keep Pre steaks in their vacuum-sealed packaging if you can. If you are freezing steak from another source, wrap it tightly with no air bubbles.
Make sure the seal is airtight. Air is what causes freezer burn.
Label the package with the date.
Set your freezer to 0°F.
If you buy Pre steaks at a grocery store and cannot eat them by the date, do not worry. Check expiration dates explained, then toss them in the freezer. The trick to properly freezing steak is to seal it airtight.
Does freezing steak reduce the quality?
If you freeze steak correctly, the quality stays the same. Your freezer temperature matters, so keep it at 0°F to preserve your steak.
How to defrost steak
There are a few ways to defrost steak, and the right one depends on how much time you have. Never defrost on the counter or in the microwave.
In the refrigerator: move the steak from the freezer to the fridge. Plan on 12 to 24 hours, and about 12 to 14 hours for a one-inch steak.
In cold water: keep the steak sealed, place it in a bowl of cold water, and plan on roughly 30 to 60 minutes per pound.
Once it is thawed, cook it the right way with how to cook every steak Pre sells.
How long is defrosted steak safe to eat?
Cook steak that was thawed in the refrigerator within three to five days. Cook steak thawed in cold water right away. Leaving thawed steak in the fridge longer than that can cause it to go bad.
Refreezing is safe for steak thawed in the refrigerator if it has been stored properly, but the quality can change. If you only need part of a package, it is best to portion before freezing.
Get the best steak from Pre
Feel free to stock up on Pre steaks and keep them handy in your freezer. You can freeze any kind of steak, but it always pays to start with high quality. Pre has been sourcing 100% Grass-Fed & Finished beef for years, with no added hormones and no sub-therapeutic antibiotics, and Non-GMO Project Verified. Wondering why beef changes color in the pack? Read why beef changes color.
FAQ
How long can steak stay in the freezer?
Steak stays safe indefinitely at 0°F. For best quality, plan to cook it within about 6 to 12 months. Airtight, vacuum-sealed steak keeps its quality longer than steak wrapped at the butcher counter.
What is the fastest way to defrost steak?
Seal it airtight, submerge it in cold water, and plan on roughly 30 to 60 minutes per pound.
Can I refreeze steak?
Steak thawed in the refrigerator can be refrozen if it has been stored properly, though quality may drop. Cook steak thawed in cold water before refreezing.
Learn more about the pack itself in the importance of Pre beef packaging.
Where can I buy Pre 100% Grass-Fed & Finished Beef?
Pre Brands beef is a lean, High Protein, delicious way to keep dinner healthy. Use our store locator to find a store near you, browse all Pre products, or find us on Instacart.
