Can You Vacuum Seal Frozen Meat?

Most meat vendors sell the meat in a frozen state, so you may have asked yourself if vacuum sealing the chunks is a good idea.

With the help of this article, you will be able to avoid unnecessary guesswork when handling frozen meat because we are about to answer all the questions that may be bothering you.

The fact that you want to switch from regular freezer bags to vacuum pouches means that you clearly understand how effective vacuum sealing is and the benefits that you can gain from using this method.

As promised, let’s start by answering the main question—;

Can You Vacuum Seal Frozen Meat?

Frozen meat can be vacuum sealed without having to thaw away the ice because the vacuum sealing process will ensure that the meat stays intact even in its frozen state. This will increase the shelf life of the meat up to six times compared to when Ziploc bags are used.

Vacuum sealers are known to be highly efficient when it comes to keeping meat fresh due to their ability to create tight seals, which are virtually air-free.

This way, the meat will not come into direct contact with microorganisms that may cause it to go bad.

As such, it is right to say that vacuum sealing keeps the meat safe from bacteria and other destructive compounds such as mold and fungus.

Like all food preservation methods, there are factors that you must put into consideration when vacuum sealing frozen meat.

Should I thaw frozen meat before vacuum sealing?

There’s absolutely no need for thawing the meat since you can vacuum seal it the way it is. However, ensure that you use strong vacuum bags that cannot easily get punctured by the ice.

Additionally, the bags should match the quantity of meat that you intend to seal, so only use vacuum pouches that will provide you with some allowance when sealing the meat.

This will give the vacuum sealer an easier time as it removes air from the bag. Aside from that, using the right size of vacuum bags will lower the probability of the bag rapturing.

How long can frozen meat last if I vacuum seal it?

As stated before, vacuum sealing can dramatically prolong the shelf life of meat regardless of whether it was frozen before sealing or not.

If the vacuum bags are sealed correctly and the meat is exposed to the perfect conditions, the meat can last up to three years.

This may, however, vary depending on a number of things, so it will be up to you to ensure that the meat is preserved as required.

What if the meat is freeze burned, can I still use a vacuum sealer?

If you notice that your meat is freeze burned, the best thing that you can do is to use the meat before it gets damaged even further.

You can consider removing the parts that are severely damaged since they may not taste as good.

However, if the meat is in large amounts, you can vacuum seal it for later use. This will ensure that the meat is not affected by the dry air that is in the freezer.

As a result, the meat won’t get oxidized, meaning that it will retain its color and taste.

Is it safe to eat freezer-burned meat that is vacuum sealed?

Eating freezer-burned meat is safe, so you have nothing to worry about. This applies even if the meet is discolored.

The discoloration comes about as a result of dehydration and oxidation, which may occur if the meat is placed inside the freezer in a bag that is not vacuum sealed.

What is the right way of thawing vacuum-sealed meet?

The way that you thaw meat after it has left the freezer will determine how it will taste, so you have to do it correctly.

You can go about this by simply leaving the meat inside your fridge until all the ice melts away. That way, the meat will be thawed without it losing the juicy flavors.

After the meat is thawed, ensure that you handle it properly to avoid possible contamination that may result in food poisoning.

Can frozen ground meat be vacuum sealed?

Vacuum sealing can be used when preserving both chunked and ground meat, so it won’t matter how small the pieces are.

Nevertheless, you have to put the right amount of meat in each bag to prevent it from tearing during the sealing process.

That said, you should not vacuum seal extremely large pieces of meat since this may give you a hard time when thawing the meat.

Sealing small chunks is the best way to go because you won’t have to thaw a large piece when only a small piece is needed.

Is it necessary to label the vacuum bags?

Labeling vacuum bags will simplify your work, especially if your freezer is packed with different types of meat.

One thing with meat products is that they tend to change color after staying in the freezer for a while, so the only sure way that you can use to identify the meat that you are looking for is through labeling.

Final Thoughts

To sum everything up, you have seen that vacuum sealing is not only efficient but also reliable.

This technique can come in handy in different scenarios, so you can make use of it when preserving different types of meat.

If your freezer is still packed with Ziploc bags, maybe it’s time you replaced them with vacuum freezer bags.

Moreover, you won’t have to dispose of the meat since you can vacuum seal it despite it being frozen.

After going through this article, we hope that you are now ready to pack the meat that is inside your freezer in vacuum pouches.

This will greatly lower the possibility of the meat getting freezer burn or being affected by destructive bacteria that may break down the meat when it is still in storage.

As a reminder, you should never thaw frozen meat before bagging it in vacuum pouches.