Food Storage Question

I agree with Hayley. My mom would sometimes thaw food in the refrigerator, but she would also thaw meat on the kitchen counter in a cake pan. I've never gotten food poisoning from her food.

I have cooke and ate a year old hamberger. But I also get my hamburger freshly gound before frozen so it depends how it was frozen. Believe me I have had hamburger that was bad and if you defrost it and it smells nasty don't eat it. You will know

If the meat is not freezer burned and still smells good, Why bother thawing frozen hamburger patties?... Just cook them on a griller or in a fry pan with a lid on low.

It really depends on what kind of freezer you have.

If it's just a normal freezer (part of the refrigerator unit), it's usually 6-12 months. If it's a deep freezer, it's up to a year.

A lot also depends on how you package it for storage.

I found this document online that has guidelines for all kinds of foods and what to expect:
http://extension.missouri.edu/publications/DisplayPub.asp...

Frozen meat can be good up to 12 months possibly more if you food save it. The catch is if you find that there is frostbit on the meat it really shouldn't be used past about 6 months I do the 6 month of freezer burn because it just doesn't taste as good. Here is a good website Logs of good info.

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/factsheets/focus_on_freezing/ind...

Hi! I have a food keeper from the food marketting institute that states that ground meat can be kept in the freezer 3-4 months. I have used it at home when it was older than 4 months. It will loose quality if stored too long. Hamburger should be thawed in the refrigerator. If you thaw any meat on the counter, bacteria will grow on the outside before the inside part is thawed. Is there freezer burn or dried edges on the patties? That would be an indication that it is too old. Good Luck!!!

I would think they are fine, depending of course on how you stored them.

I have a deep freezer and I go to my butcher shop about once a month. When I freeze my steaks and burgers, I wrap tightly with plastic wrap and then I store them in the freezer bags. If I know I m ay not use something for a long time ( I am a big stock up person) I will wrap well in freezer wrap and store in a freezer bag.

As for defrosting, I just put whatever I am defrosting on the kitchen counter a little while, also keeping it covered. We've never been sick from it and we eat all of our burgers, steaks, etc on the rare side.

I would think they are good. The other day on Dr. Oz they did something about how long is it good for. I believe they said frozen meat was 12 mths. Do a search online and see if you find anything or I'm sure it is on Dr Oz's website. I would also think it depends on how you wrapped it up before freezing. Does it look like it has ice crystals on it? If so it might be freezer burned and have a funny taste when cooked. To thaw, if time allows thaw in the fridge. Otherwise, stick in a ziploc bag and fill your sink with COLD water and refresh when the water gets too warm. Do this until it is thawed.

I would think they are fine.
We NEVER thaw out hamburgers when we plan on grilling them. They don't fall apart when you cook them from frozen. Of course, cook them on low that way they get done all the way through.

Enjoy!!!