Community Chat

[Ppooh]

I just found a whole bag of pork ribeye steaks in my freezer that had the date I put on it of 2-10-22 do you think they would be safe to eat?

[shoekitty]

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@Ppooh wrote:

I just found a whole bag of pork ribeye steaks in my freezer that had the date I put on it of 2-10-22 do you think they would be safe to eat?

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Shoekitty said, well I have done it with frozen items. If there is NO freezer burn,and color is still good, they shoukd be fine. As long as they haven't thawed and re froze over the last 2 years. I think mainly the problem with foods left in freezer too long is they loose vitamins and minerals.  I just bought 5 lb ducks, that came frozen from vender.  They can be frozen almost 2 years. However, if you have any qualms, just call it a day. And toss them 

[Etoile308]

I live by the rule: when in doubt, throw it out.

[gizmogal]

Spoiler

I doubt if they're dangerous.  Bacteria don't thrive if the meat has been continously frozen and well wrapped. Safety would not concern me, but I would still dispose of that meat.

 I believe you would find very little to enjoy from cooking those pork steaks. Being frozen for two years means the structure of the protein has been substantially altered over that time. There would be nothing but dry, tough, mostly tasteless meat, no matter how you prepared the pork, what seasonings or cooking methods. Nutritional value would be greatly diminished. 

I know it seems wrong to waste long frozen food if it's not toxic or dangerous, but if it isn't nourishing and taste and satisfaction are lacking, what is the point of eating it? Will the morality or ethics of not wasting it help you swallow it? 

I've certainly found mystery meat in my freezer once or twice, and I chided myself for letting it get lost in there for so long! Forgive yourself and try harder to turn over your freezer inventory more regularly. 

It's not going to feel noble eating dry, tough, unpalatable pork steaks just because they're not actually toxic. Let it be a learning moment and move the meat to the trash. 

I'll bet it's rare for you to lose money and have to dispose of forgotten food that could have been a good meal. It's just a mistake. Cheer up!

[elated]

You could defrost one and cook it. If it doesn't taste good just toss it. No harm in trying. It won't hurt .

[Sooner]

Three years?  I would pitch it out and wouldn't give it a second thought.  No way would I want to cook that or eat it.  

[gidgetgh]

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@gizmogal wrote:

Spoiler

I doubt if they're dangerous.  Bacteria don't thrive if the meat has been continously frozen and well wrapped. Safety would not concern me, but I would still dispose of that meat.

 I believe you would find very little to enjoy from cooking those pork steaks. Being frozen for two years means the structure of the protein has been substantially altered over that time. There would be nothing but dry, tough, mostly tasteless meat, no matter how you prepared the pork, what seasonings or cooking methods. Nutritional value would be greatly diminished. 

I know it seems wrong to waste long frozen food if it's not toxic or dangerous, but if it isn't nourishing and taste and satisfaction are lacking, what is the point of eating it? Will the morality or ethics of not wasting it help you swallow it? 

I've certainly found mystery meat in my freezer once or twice, and I chided myself for letting it get lost in there for so long! Forgive yourself and try harder to turn over your freezer inventory more regularly. 

It's not going to feel noble eating dry, tough, unpalatable pork steaks just because they're not actually toxic. Let it be a learning moment and move the meat to the trash. 

I'll bet it's rare for you to lose money and have to dispose of forgotten food that could have been a good meal. It's just a mistake. Cheer up!

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@gizmogal - 3 years, not 2.

[gidgetgh]

No way would I eat those.

[JeanLouiseFinch]

If they've been frozen rock hard and never even partially thawed, they're likely safe to eat, but the overall nutritional value, taste, and texture may be somewhat compromised.  

When I find something that old, out it goes.

[Carolina925]

Not sure they'd be dangerous to eat but I'd think the flavor was long gone. I'd toss it, as much as I hate wasting food. I was brought up with the "people in China are starving" credo and I can always hear my mother saying it if I throw out food!