How Long Does Frozen Meat Last in the Freezer?

Frozen meat stays safe for as long as it stays frozen at 0°F. What changes over time is quality. USDA's guide for best quality is 4 to 12 months for uncooked steaks, chops and roasts, 3 to 4 months for uncooked ground meat, and 1 to 2 months for bacon and sausage.

If you have a freezer full of meat, here is how long it keeps, what freezer burn really is and how we pack our meat so it holds up.

Is frozen meat safe forever?

Safety is not the issue. USDA says food kept at a steady 0°F will always be safe, because bacteria can't grow while it's frozen. The clock you are watching is flavor and texture, not safety.

Keep a freezer thermometer in your freezer and make sure it reads 0°F or colder.

How long does frozen meat keep its best quality?

Here is USDA's freezer chart for quality:

• Uncooked steaks and chops: 4 to 12 months
• Uncooked roasts: 4 to 12 months
• Uncooked ground meat: 3 to 4 months
• Bacon and sausage: 1 to 2 months
• Cooked meat and leftovers: 2 to 3 months

Those are guidelines for best quality, not expiration dates. A roast at month 13 is still safe. It may just be a little drier.

Does vacuum sealing help frozen meat last?

Air is what dries meat out in the freezer. Our cuts are vacuum sealed in our own USDA butcher shop, so there is no air sitting against the meat, and everything is flash frozen within hours of butchering. USDA suggests overwrapping regular grocery packages for long freezer storage. Our packages are already airtight, so they can go straight into your freezer.

If a bag ever loses its seal and you can see air or frost inside, move that one to the front and cook it soon.

What is freezer burn, and is it safe to eat?

Freezer burn shows up as dry, grayish or leathery patches where air reached the meat. USDA says it does not make meat unsafe, it just dries out those spots. Trim them off before or after cooking. Low and slow recipes like stew and pot roast are a great way to use a cut that's been in the freezer a while.

How should I organize my freezer?

• First in, first out. When a new box arrives, move the older packages to the front.
• Keep it cold. Put your box in the freezer as soon as it arrives, and keep the freezer at 0°F or colder.
• Keep a list. A note on the freezer door with what you have makes dinner planning so much easier.
• Thaw ahead. Move tomorrow's dinner to the fridge tonight. Here is our guide to thawing meat safely.

A stocked freezer is the easiest way to get a good dinner on the table. Starting with good meat, a little tallow and good spices makes cooking easy, even on the nights you didn't plan ahead.

How is Five Marys meat frozen and shipped?

Our cattle are born, raised, harvested, dry aged and hand cut on our own ranch and in our own butcher shop in Fort Jones, California. Every package is sealed airtight, flash frozen within hours and shipped Monday through Wednesday to all 50 states, packed on dry ice in insulated liners.

Not sure which box fits your freezer? Here is how to choose a meat box for your family.

Shop this post

• M5 Meat Club boxes, delivered on your schedule
• Samplers to try a little of everything
• Five Marys Beef Bone Broth to keep in the freezer for soups and sauces
• M5 Cooking Tallow Sticks and our salts and spice blends

Quick answers

How long can I keep Five Marys meat in my freezer?

As long as your freezer stays at 0°F, it stays safe. For the best quality, follow USDA's guide: uncooked steaks, chops and roasts 4 to 12 months, uncooked ground meat 3 to 4 months, and bacon and sausage 1 to 2 months.

Is meat still safe to eat after a year in the freezer?

If it stayed frozen at 0°F the whole time, yes. It may have lost some quality, so check for dry, freezer-burned spots and trim them off.

Is freezer burn dangerous?

No. USDA says freezer burn does not make food unsafe, it just leaves dry spots. Cut those spots away before or after cooking.

Can I refreeze meat after it thaws?

Meat thawed in the refrigerator can go back in the freezer without cooking, though you may lose a little quality. Meat thawed in cold water or the microwave should be cooked first.

Food-safety reference: USDA FSIS, "Freezing and Food Safety."

Thank you for trusting us with your family's table!