If I buy a big thing of chicken do I just put it in ziplock bags and put them in the freezer?!
Answers: Will any type of bag work? I've never bought a big pack before, but I'm sick of paying more for just buying a little. How long can the chicken stay in the freezer? When I take it out to use it am I supposed to let it thaw in the fridge or water before cooking it...? Please help, thanks!
I seperate it in meal size portions and use my Food Saver to seal them and freeze them. If you're using ziplock bags, make sure to use the heavier freezer bags. Raw chicken can be kept frozen for six months, and cooked chicken for three months.
The best way to thaw it is in the refrigerator. If you're really in a hurry, it can be defrosted in cold water in its airtight packaging or in a leak proof bag. Submerge the bird or cut-up parts in cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes to be sure it stays cold.
Use freezer bags that are created specifically for that purpose. With ziplock you'll get freezer burn.
The best way to thaw frozen chicken is in the refrigerator.
If properly packaged, frozen chicken should maintain top quality in a home freezer for up to one year.
I use the regular. If you are going to store it for a while use the freezer bags. I do this with the big roll of hamburger meat too. Then I put it on defrost in the microwave or in hot water to defrost it. I save money that way.
I buy big packs of chicken all the time. I rinse the chicken and put in freezer bags, and then store it in the freezer. I thaw the chicken in water before use. I have thawed frozen chicken up to three months later and it still tastes fresh. Hope this helps.
Yea
just put several pieces (enough for a meal) in a zip lock bag. Squeeze as much air out as you can and put it in the freezer. The best way to thaw it is to put it in the refrigerator if you can anticipate your need for it. If not try cooking it from the frozen state but its better if its thawed. It will last quite a while in the freezer. At least 3 months and probably as much as 6 months. The flavor does start to degrade after a while but you do not have to worry about bacteria because they cannot grow at freezer temperatures.
One last bit of advice. The plastic bags you use can never really be sterilized again so just mark them as having contained raw meat, wash them in soapy water, let dry and reuse them for raw meat ONLY.
good luck. dont worry this is easy you wont screw up.
PhD Food Chemistry and Nutrition
I always wash the chicken, then put it in zip-lock bags. Always thaw chicken and other foods in the refrigerater to minimize bacterial development. It can stay frozen at least 6 months.
I've used Ziplock bags for meat for years. But then I am storing a couple of extra steaks or 10 pounds of chicken for use over the next month or two, not an entire half a cow for the next year.
If you're just buying the "family pack" at the store no special equipment is required and Ziplocks are fine. No freezer burn at all. Sometimes I take the chicken out in time to put it in the fridge to thaw.
Sad to say, other times I simply forget. For those times I like to keep chicken pieces that I have packaged by the one in ziplocks then stored together n a great big ziplock in the freezer. You can take out as many as you need and just cook them frozen. They'll just take a little bit longer at slightly lower heat.