Six year old beef lurking in the freezer.

Defrost and bung it in microwave ….that’ll kill anything.!😳

'Only' 2016?!

I have found older/similarly aged food in our freezer: we gently thaw, smell (and if OK) cook and eat it. I can't remember what it was but I think also beef.

I read some of these posts to Mr C who has just admitted that the fish we ate a few weeks ago was approximately ten years old....

He now admits that he thawed it by soaking in a bowl of water which also rehydrated it - there was minimal freezer burn.

I apparently enthusiastically chomped on it and said it was delicious - and didn't have an upset tummy so presumably, as long as the food has been deep frozen at a constant temperature it is safe to eat.

Thanks, Llamedos13 for reminding me that the freezer needs a thorough 'go through'!

I’d cook it and throw it out to the two foxes who visit my garden

When reloading my freezer after defrosting I make sure that the food is in date order and listed so no way could anything could be left too long. Or maybe some people don’t regularly defrost and clean their freezers.

Would cook it but not expect it to have all that much taste.

Nor I.

Nancat

I have no problem in eating anything that has been properly frozen, regardless of age. One thing that has bothered me though, is how many Grans are happy to feed things to animals that they feel is not safe for humans. Why do they consider that animals deserve less consideration than humans?

Indeed. I'd not feed my sweet dogs food not fit for humans.

No, why? Just curious.

Not sure id take same chance with pork.

I’ll cook up that 2017 hunk of pork next Sunday and let you know 🐷

So glad the beef was good despite all the gloomy prognostications! I think there is a redcurrant pie in the offing at our house to be made with 5 year old redcurrants. DH is eating them with yoghurt from time to time, so they can't be that terrible!
Waiting with bated breath to hear about the pork.

I have no problem in eating anything that has been properly frozen, regardless of age. One thing that has bothered me though, is how many Grans are happy to feed things to animals that they feel is not safe for humans. Why do they consider that animals deserve less consideration than humans?

Granarchist - First of all - I love your name! I can relate to that.
Yes, vacuum sealed wrapping is the best if you have to freeze.
M0nica - I don’t eat a lot of meat anymore. I was raised (and am) European, so it was a meat and potato upbringing. Now I buy a lot less for myself due to astronomical prices and consume it within a few weeks. I prefer to make on the day of purchase for the best outcome!
Have a g’day, Girls!

Really? Reading comprehension is underrated.

Llamedos13 already cooked it; declared it delicious. She has moved on to 2017 pork, I'm sure the pork will also be lovely.

Wondering what nutritional value there might be in a piece of beef that's been frozen for six years - I might leave it out for a fox to eat but as for human consumption, no way. And there's no guarantee that your freezer hasn't malfunctioned at some point in the history of this beef joint, meaning it's potentially been subjected to changing temperatures, so not only nutritionally bankrupt but also unsafe to eat.

Gundy This is why you cook it long and low in stock and red wine, like venison The fibres of the meat absorb the flavout of the ingredients it is cooked with. and means that an expensive joint of meat is not wasted.

I keep meat in my freezer for more than 6 weeks, sometimes for up to a year without any loss of flavour. But I buy Pasture for Life beef and organic lamb and pork from local producers. I suspect that supermarket meat for industrially managed herds may not be as freezer resistant.

Gundy - I love the idea meat is useless after 6 weeks!! why bother freezing it at all then? I regularly eat meat of all sorts and game at least a year old. Vacuum packing stops freezer burn and degradation. Very very old meat will degrade but it wont rot or become dangerous - cook long and slow - its the vacu packing that is the best tip.

No idea what the Vacuum Cleaner838/0186 comment is or how got on there I sware my pc is haunted.

I'm with Germanshepherdsmum on this. As long as you cook it thoroughly, I don't see a problem. I've often cooked meat that's been in my freezer longer than that.

Never!!
The longer you freeze meat (long term) it starts to break down in every way (texture, flavor, smell, etc)
My rule of thumb for freezing meat is six weeks.
I’m astonished to read how many are encouraging you to make it. Six years???
Never!!

I'd cook it in one of the ways suggested possibly even serving it with my 1993 vintage piccalilli son found in the cellar recently The colour was much darkened but he said the flavour was best he had ever had and took the whole consignment back home for his family

Vacuum Cleaner838/0186
I wouldn’t waste it. I would cook it probably in a slow cooker , It might be a bit dry ( might not) but that’s the worst that could happen. Even if you don’t eat it wild birds love it cut up very small. I have cooked up things that are older I never waste food.

Pointless saying so, Maizie. People don’t read, just wade in.

Will peobably have ’Freezer burn’ and be tough, or if fibres have been separated by ice crystals - slow freezing may be more tender! You will only find ou by cooking and trying. It’s safe as lonf as you follow rules of defrosting and cooking to temperature as with in-date meat.

The OP cooked it 2 days ago and said it was fine...