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How to Freeze Steak

Save money and ALWAYS have what you need ready to use! These quick instructions for HOW TO FREEZE STEAK are the BEST and EASIEST to follow. Learn how!

Quart size freezer bag of ribeye steak

Why This Works for How to Freeze Steak? 

  • Fast
  • Easy
  • Saves Money!

Here’s How to Freeze Steak.

STEP 1. Label the freezer bag with today’s date, how many and what is in the bag. You may also want to put a “USE BY” date that is 6 months to 1 year from now. 

*** Use a sharpie marker for the best result labeling your freezer bag. If you don’t have a sharpie, a regular ink pen will work***

hand writing on a plastic bag with a sharpie marker

STEP 2. Place the Steaks Into the Freezer Bag

***Make SURE that you have purchased “FREEZER” bags and not simply storage bags. The freezer bags are made specifically for storing food in the freezer.***

hand placing a ribeye steak into a zip lock freezer bag

STEP 3. Close the freezer bag and squeeze out as much air as you can.

***Leaving air in the bag increases your risk for freezer burn PLUS it takes up more room in your freezer***

two hands sealing a zipper top resealable bag

How To Freeze Steak

To freeze steaks, first place the steaks into the freezer bag and lay them as flat as possible. Squeeze out as much air from the bag as you can. Label the freezer bag with today’s date, how many and what is in the bag. You may want to put a “USE BY” date for 6 months to 1 year from now. 

What Goes With Steak? 

We always love a steakhouse baked potato or microwave sweet potato with our steak. Green Beans with New Potatoes is another good choice as is Death by Mac and Cheese! Round out your dinner with Sweet Tea and Pretzel Salad (it’s really a dessert) and you’ll have a perfect meal! 

cooked meat on a plate with white butcher paper and two forks

How to Freeze Steak

Frequently Asked Questions About How To Freeze Steak

Can You Freeze Raw Steak? 

Yes! You can freeze raw steak and it only takes a few minutes to do! So, the next time you find steak on sale or you are not going to be able to eat the meat you bought!

Simply put it in a freezer bag, label it and put it in the freezer! It IS BEST to know the quality of the meat you are freezing, the best meat will make the best frozen meat!

How Long Can You Keep Meat in the Freezer? 

Frozen meat is generally good for 4 months – 1 year, however, according to the USDA, meat kept at 0 degrees is good indefinitely. To be safe though, I don’t keep meat for more than a year and I check it for freezer burn before using if I know its been in there for a while! 

Is It Safe To Eat Two Year Old Frozen Meat?

That really depends on how well the meat has been wrapped, how much air is in the package and how steady the temp has been in the freezer. If the meat has been kept solidly at 0 degrees, then it should be fine. If you notice many ice crystals, it is probably time to throw it out. 

Can You Freeze Cooked Steak? 

Yes! Absolutely you can freeze a cooked steak. Cooked beef is basically unchanged when it is thawed and reheated. It is the same procedure as the raw steak. Make sure to label your package and use it in the next 6 months or so.

How To Freeze Cooked Steak

Use the same procedure as freezing a raw steak, put the steak in a freezer bag, remove as much air as possible and label the bag. Freeze for up to 6 months. 

Do I Salt Steak Before Freezing? 

You do NOT need to salt steak before freezing. When you thaw the steak, then you will want to salt it or marinate it or do whatever preparations you usually do to your steak before cooking it. 

Does Freezing Steak Make It Tough? 

Freezing does not make your steak tough. Freezing it does not tenderize it either though so, whatever quality of steak you start with is the quality of steak that you will end up with. 

How Long Can You Freeze Steak

You can freeze steak, if handled properly and kept at the right temperature for a year. 

How To Thaw Steak

To thaw steak,

  1. Fill a large bowl or a clean kitchen sink with tepid (room temperature) water.
  2. Place the frozen steak in a ziplock style bag. Place the steak filled bag into the water.
  3. Turn the steaks over every 10 minutes and replace the water if it becomes cold.
  4. The steaks will thaw in about 20-40 minutes depending how thick they are. 30 minutes is about right. 

Does Freezing Steak Affect the Taste? 

Freezing a steak does not affect its taste as long as it has not been freezer burnt. Freezer burnt meat does not taste good. 

How To Freeze Steak to Avoid Freezer Burn.

The main points is to avoid freezer burn …

  • Remove as much air as possible from the freezer bag. 
  • Make sure there are no holes in your freezer bag.
  • Keep the frozen steak at a steady temp as close to 0 as possible. 

Is It Safe to Refreeze Thawed Meat That Has Already Been Frozen?

According to the USDA, it is safe as long as the meat has been handled properly. That said, my mother always taught me to NEVER do this. It is BEST to cook the meat and then freeze it if you are needing to store it for a while. 

Meat that has been refrozen after being thawed without being cooked first will lose some of its textural qualities and may have a slightly funny taste. Here is a great reference on freezing and refrigerating foods of various types. 

Tips and Tricks for How To Freeze Steak

  • Use good quality freezer bags (this doesn’t necessarily mean name brand) for how to freeze steak. Just check to make sure that the bag feels heavy and thick in your hand and that the seal works very well.
  • It’s so easy to use the type of bag with the zippers, but I’ve had more bag failures with the zipper bags than with the press and seal type bags. 
  • Buy yourself a sharpie marker to keep in the kitchen in your “junk” drawer OR tape it to the front of your freezer bag box. Then you’ll always have one. 
  • The flater that you can make the bag, the better for saving space in your freezer. 
  • When putting things in the freezer, put the newer things on the bottom of the stack so that the older things are near the top and you’ll use those first. 
  • Squeeze air out of the bag after you put the meat into the bag by rolling it up. Air in the bag will equal freezer burn later. This is how to freeze steak.

PRO TIP:  Label the bag BEFORE you put the food in the bag. It’s so much easier to write on a bag with nothing in it BEFORE it has water or grease on it. 

If You Enjoyed this Steak Recipe, You Might Also Enjoy…

If You Would Like More Frozen Food Recipes…

How to Freeze Raw Beef

Freeze Bacon

How to Freeze Chicken

Hey, Ya’ll, Help Me Out, OK? 

Leave me a 5 STAR comment in the comment section below. This helps other people to find recipes on Loaves and Dishes! 

Quart size freezer bag of ribeye steak

How to Freeze Steak

Save money and ALWAYS have what you need ready to use!  These quick instructions for HOW TO FREEZE STEAK are the BEST and EASIEST to follow.  Learn how!
5 from 1 vote
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Course: main
Cuisine: American
Keyword: how to freeze steak
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 2 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Calories: 470kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 Ribeye Steaks

Instructions

  • Label the freezer bag with a sharpie marker to indicate what will be in the bag and how many. Label with today's date and a "USE BY" date (6 months to 1 year from now).
  • Place the steaks into the freezer bag and lay flat
  • Squeeze as much air as possible from the bag.
  • Seal the bag.
  • Place the bag of steaks into the freezer and lay flat so that they will freeze flat.

Notes

  • Use good quality freezer bags (this doesn't necessarily mean name brand).  Just check to make sure that the bag feels heavy and thick in your hand and that the seal works very well.
  • It's so easy to use the type of bag with the zippers, but I've had more bag failures with the zipper bags than with the press and seal type bags. 
  • Buy yourself a sharpie marker to keep in the kitchen in your "junk" drawer OR tape it to the front of your freezer bag box.  Then you'll always have one. 
  • The flater that you can make the bag, the better for saving space in your freezer. 
  • When putting things in the freezer, put the newer things on the bottom of the stack so that the older things are near the top and you'll use those first. 
  • Squeeze air out of the bag after you put the meat into the bag by rolling it up. Air in the bag will equal freezer burn later. 
PRO TIP:  Label the bag BEFORE you put the food in the bag.  It's so much easier to write on a bag with nothing in it BEFORE it has water or grease on it. 

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
How to Freeze Steak
Amount Per Serving
Calories 470 Calories from Fat 288
% Daily Value*
Fat 32g49%
Saturated Fat 14g70%
Cholesterol 138mg46%
Sodium 118mg5%
Potassium 606mg17%
Protein 45g90%
Vitamin A 34IU1%
Calcium 16mg2%
Iron 4mg22%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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A VERSE TO SHARE

Yesterday I read a wonderful sentence…

If you have a Goliath in front of you it means you have a David within you.

1 Samuel 17

is where you will find that story.

 

Wendi is the writer, CEO and dishwasher at Loaves and Dishes! When not in the kitchen or behind the computer, you can find Wendi serving on International Food Conference Boards, Speaking at various conferences, Leading and Cooking for the local Arts Council's "Taste of Stokes" events or donating home cooked goodies to various local non profits such as the Danbury Songwriters and Stokes Partnership for Children. Wendi is also a Registered Nurse with a Master's Degree and serves on her town's board of councilmen.

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Wendi Spraker

Friday 20th of September 2019

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