How to freeze meat and fish (and how long they keep)
Freezing well means keeping flavour and texture, and not finding mystery bags at the back of the freezer at the end of the year. A few rules are enough.
General guidance for a fridge at 0–4 °C and a freezer at −18 °C. Always follow the instructions on the pack and, when in doubt, throw it out.
The golden rules
- Freeze early: as soon as possible after buying, not the day before it expires.
- In portions: split into amounts you'll use at once. Thawed raw food is not refrozen.
- No air: well-sealed bags or vacuum packs. Air causes «freezer burn», dry greyish patches.
- Flat and thin: flat packs freeze and thaw faster.
- Always label: what it is and when you froze it.
How long they keep at −18 °C
| Food | Recommended time |
|---|---|
| Minced meat | 3–4 months |
| Steaks, roasts, chops | 6–12 months |
| Chicken pieces | 9 months |
| Lean fish (cod, sea bream, sea bass) | 6 months |
| Oily fish (salmon, mackerel) | 2–3 months |
| Cooked dishes and sauces | 2–3 months |
Beyond these times food stays safe if the freezer has always been at −18 °C, but it loses flavour and texture.
Fish to be eaten raw
Fish meant to be eaten raw (sushi, carpaccio, marinades) must be blast-chilled or frozen according to health guidance to remove the risk of parasites: without a blast chiller, buy fish that has already been treated and ask your fishmonger.
Don't lose count
The freezer's real enemy is memory. Keep track of what's inside and in which drawer: you avoid buying twice and throwing away what you forgot.
Frequently asked questions
Can thawed meat be refrozen?
Not raw, if it was thawed outside the fridge. You can cook it and freeze the cooked dish.
What is freezer burn?
Dry, greyish patches caused by air touching the food: not dangerous but it spoils the flavour. Avoid it with well-sealed packs.
How long does fish keep in the freezer?
Lean fish about 6 months, oily fish like salmon 2–3 months at −18 °C.
Always know what's in the freezer
ConservoCibo remembers what you froze, when and in which drawer. Say «sea bream, freezer, second drawer» and print the label with its QR code.
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