Bringing home premium Ontario beef from Beverly Creek Farms is just the start of enjoying high-quality, delicious meat at home. To preserve that unmatched flavor and quality, it’s essential to store and freeze your beef properly.
With nearly 20 years of experience raising ethically farmed Ontario beef, we know that great meat deserves careful handling, from our farm to your kitchen. Proper storage practices not only maintain freshness but also help reduce waste, ensuring you get the most from every cut. Whether you’re keeping fresh cuts in the fridge or need tips on freezing beef for long-term storage, using the right techniques can make all the difference.
This guide covers everything you need to know about storing beef safely, avoiding freezer burn, and preserving that farm-to-table quality.
How to Store Fresh Beef for Freshness & Flavour
You’ve just brought home your all-natural Ontario beef flank steak or a beautifully marbled prime rib roast. Your fridge is stocked with premium cuts, and now it’s all about keeping them fresh and full of flavor until you’re ready to cook. Follow these best practices to store fresh beef properly for short-term use:
- Keep It Cool: Store fresh beef in the fridge at 1 to 2°C (34 to 36°F). Consistency is crucial, avoid placing it in areas where the temperature fluctuates, like the fridge door.
- Handle Packaging with Care: Vacuum-sealed packaging is great for preserving freshness, but only if the seal remains intact. Handle packaging gently to prevent air exposure, which can lead to spoilage.
- Use It While It’s Fresh: For the best taste and quality, aim to cook fresh beef within 3 to 5 days of refrigeration. If you spot excess liquid in the packaging or notice any tears, it’s best to use that cut sooner rather than later.
How to Freeze Beef Properly for Long-Term Storage
Freezing beef is the perfect way to preserve meat freshness for months while allowing you to buy beef in bulk with confidence. Using the right techniques for freezing beef ensures you lock in both flavour and quality, keeping your beef as delicious as the day you bought it. Here’s how to freeze beef properly for long-term storage:
1. Choose the Right Packaging
For short-term storage, butcher paper is a great option as it provides a barrier to moisture while keeping beef fresh for a few months. For long-term storage, vacuum-sealed bags are ideal as they remove all air, which helps prevent freezer burn and maintain quality for up to two years. Whichever method you choose, ensure the packaging is tight and free from air exposure.
2. Set the Right Temperature
Keep your freezer at a consistent temperature between -10 and -20°C (14 to -4°F). This ensures that your beef remains safe and maintains its texture.
3. Label and Organise
Always label your packages with the date and type of cut. This helps you keep track of how long the beef has been stored and ensures you use older cuts first.
4. Avoid Refreezing
For the best quality, avoid refreezing beef that has been thawed. Repeated freezing and thawing can affect the texture and flavour of the meat.
How to Thaw Frozen Beef Safely
Once your beef is properly frozen, the next step is thawing it safely to preserve its taste and texture. Whether you’re preparing a quick weeknight dinner or gearing up for a special meal, the way you thaw frozen beef can make a real difference in flavour and safety. Thawing beef correctly is just as important as storing beef properly and ensures you get the most out of every cut.
At Beverly Creek, we believe that high-quality Ontario beef deserves careful handling every step of the way. Here’s how to thaw beef safely while keeping its premium quality intact.
1. Best Method: Fridge Thawing
The best way to thaw beef safely is by placing the beef in the fridge at 1 to 2°C (34 to 36°F) and allowing it to defrost slowly. As a general guide, allow 24 hours for every 2.5 kg (5 lbs) of beef. This method keeps the beef at a safe temperature throughout the process and ensures even thawing.
2. Faster Method: Cold Water Thawing
If you need to thaw beef more quickly, cold water thawing is a safe and effective method. Keep the beef in its original packaging or place it in a leak-proof plastic bag. Submerge it in cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes to maintain a consistent temperature. Small cuts may thaw within an hour, while larger cuts can take a few hours. Once thawed, cook the beef immediately.
3. Avoid This Method: Countertop Thawing
Never leave beef to thaw at room temperature. This can lead to bacteria growth and compromise food safety.
Your Top Questions Answered: Storing and Freezing Beef
Proper storage and freezing techniques are crucial for maintaining the freshness of Ontario beef. Here are some common questions answered with our expert advice.
1. What’s the best way to store beef?
For short-term storage, keep beef in the fridge at 1 to 2°C in its original vacuum-sealed packaging. For long-term storage, tightly wrap beef and freeze at -10 to -20°C.
2. How long can I freeze beef before it goes bad?
Properly stored, beef can last up to 2 years in the freezer. Ground beef is best used within 4 months.
3. What’s the best way to thaw beef?
The safest way to thaw beef is in the fridge. For quicker results, try the cold water method, keeping the beef in its packaging and changing the water every 30 minutes.
From Our Farm to Your Table: Quality You Can Trust
At Beverly Creek, every step of our process is about respect – for the land, the animals and our customers. We take pride in raising ethically farmed beef that delivers unmatched flavor and premium quality.
By following these safe meat storage practices, you can enjoy the best of what we offer, without waste and with full appreciation for every cut. If you have any questions about storing or preparing our Ontario beef, don’t hesitate to contact us. Our team is always here to help.
Ready to experience the difference? Shop our premium beef and lamb products today and bring the best of farm-to-table quality to your kitchen.