Tag: freezing leftovers

Can You Freeze Gravy? Here’s Everything You Need

Ricardo Davis

– The article discusses whether leftover gravy can be frozen.
– Gravy is made from leftover juices of cooked meat, along with broth, cream/milk, butter, and spices.
– Gravy can be frozen in air-tight containers or freezer bags and will last for up to six months.
– If the gravy contains dairy, it is not recommended to freeze it as the texture will change and it will separate when thawed.
– Gravy can also be refrigerated for up to four days in an airtight container.
– It is important to cool down the gravy within two hours of cooking to prevent bacteria growth.
– If the gravy smells rotten or sour, it should be thrown out.
– Look for signs of mold or any fuzzy or abnormal appearance to determine if the gravy has gone bad.
– Premade gravy dry mix can be stored in a sealed container or plastic bag.
– Gravy is made from the leftover juices of cooked meats, typically turkey or beef, with additional broth, cream or milk, butter, and spices added for flavor.
– Traditional gravy recipes use all-purpose or wheat flours as thickeners, but cornstarch can be used as a gluten-free alternative.
– Dairy-based gravies should not be frozen as they will separate and have a gritty texture when thawed.
– Spoiled gravy can be identified by a rotten or sour smell, mold growth, or abnormal texture.
– Dry gravy mixes can be stored in sealed containers or plastic bags.

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Can you freeze cooked salmon? Here’s what to know

Ricardo Davis

– The article discusses whether it is possible to freeze cooked salmon and then reheat it.
– The author conducted a blind tasting experiment with three salmon fillets: one that was frozen overnight and reheated from frozen, one that was frozen overnight and thawed before reheating, and one that was cooked just before being served.
– The freshly cooked salmon was described as pink, moist, and plump, while the reheated fillets had paler color and a more compact appearance.
– The fillet that was reheated from frozen had a grayish hue and a dry texture.
– The flavor of the freshly cooked salmon was described as tender and delicate, while the reheated fillets were described as slightly tacky and lacking in moisture.
– The reheated fillets were not considered to taste as good as the freshly cooked salmon.
– The article suggests alternative ways to enjoy reheated salmon, such as puréeing it into a spread, using it in soups or curries, or forming it into fish cakes.
– The article concludes that while reheated salmon may not taste as good as freshly cooked salmon, it can still be eaten and repurposed in different dishes.
– The article does not provide any important facts, stats, or figures.
– It only provides instructions on how to reheat cooked salmon and suggests adding olive oil or butter for flavor.
– The author conducted a blind tasting test with three different salmon fillets to determine if reheated cooked salmon could be as good as freshly cooked salmon.
– The first fillet was cooked the day before, frozen overnight, and reheated in the oven for 40 minutes.
– The second fillet was cooked the day before, frozen overnight, thawed for six hours, and then reheated in the oven for 10 minutes.
– The third fillet was cooked just before serving.
– The freshly cooked salmon was moist and plump, while the reheated fillets were paler and had a slightly compact texture.
– The fillet reheated from frozen was dry and unpleasant to eat.
– Although reheated cooked salmon may not taste as good as fresh, there are other ways to enjoy it, such as making a salmon spread, adding it to soup or curry, or forming it into fish cakes.
– Eating leftover salmon cold is also an option.
– There are no important facts, stats, or figures provided in the article.

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Can you freeze cooked chicken? Learn the right way

Ricardo Davis

List of Pertinent Information about Freezing Cooked Chicken:

– Cooked chicken can be frozen for an extended period of time.
– Freezing cooked chicken is convenient and can save time and money by reducing food waste.
– Any kind of cooked chicken can be frozen, whether it is whole breasts or shredded for use in recipes.
– To store cooked chicken in the freezer, cool it for no longer than two hours and remove any skin, fat, and bones.
– The chicken should then be flash-frozen on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper before transferring to an airtight container or freezer bag.
– Cooked chicken can last in the freezer for up to six months.
– Storage time shortens to two to three months when used in soups and stews.
– Frozen cooked chicken may experience a decline in quality and be more susceptible to freezer burn.
– Thaw frozen cooked chicken in the refrigerator for up to four days, or use the microwave for faster thawing.
– Cold spots and uneven defrosting may occur when using the microwave.
– Reheat defrosted chicken on the stovetop or in the oven to an internal temperature of at least 165°F (73.9°C).
– Avoid reheating frozen cooked chicken in steam tables, slow cookers, or chafing dishes due to the danger zone temperature range.
– Do not refreeze previously frozen cooked chicken as bacteria can grow with each handling.
– Look for signs of spoilage, such as changes in color, visible signs of mold, sliminess, or foul smell, to determine if frozen cooked chicken is still safe to eat.
– Thawed cooked chicken can be added to soups, stews, casseroles, or reheated in various cooking appliances.
– Freeze cooked chicken in smaller portion sizes and without the skin and bones.
– Remove all bones and skin before freezing.
– Place cooked chicken in a labeled freezer-safe zip bag and remove excess air before sealing.
– Cooked chicken can be frozen for up to 4 months.
– Shredded chicken can also be frozen and defrosts quickly in about an hour.
– Frozen cooked chicken that has already been frozen and defrosted should not be refrozen for food safety reasons.
– Use cooked and refrigerated chicken within 3 to 4 days, according to USDA recommendations.
– Do not freeze already cooked chicken after the third day for food safety purposes.
– Thaw frozen cooked chicken and check for changes in color, texture, green/grayish color, or foul odor to determine if it is still good.
– Chicken should be at room temperature or cold before transferring it to a freezer-safe container or zip bag.
– Do not place hot chicken in the freezer as it can affect the temperature of surrounding foods and promote bacterial growth.
– Thaw previously cooked chicken using the refrigerator or a water bath. Refrigerator thawing takes about 24 hours, while a water bath takes 2 hours with water changed every 30 minutes.

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Can You Freeze Meatloaf? Expert Tips and Guidelines

Ricardo Davis

– Meatloaf can be frozen, either raw or cooked.
– To freeze raw meatloaf, prepare the meat mixture and form it into a loaf. Wrap it with plastic wrap and foil, and store it in an airtight container. It can last for 6 months in the freezer.
– If the ground beef used for the meatloaf was already frozen, it is better to bake the meatloaf before freezing it.
– To freeze cooked meatloaf, allow it to cool completely at room temperature. Then, wrap it in plastic wrap and foil, and place it in a freezer bag. It can also last for 6 months in the freezer.
– It is important to label the bag or loaf pan with the date to ensure it is used before it goes bad.
– To defrost meatloaf, it is recommended to thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before cooking. It can also be cooked directly from frozen, but may require additional baking time.
– Cooking time varies based on size and oven. It takes up to 30 minutes to reheat meatloaf in the oven or on a microwave-safe plate.
– The article also mentions different meatloaf recipes, including bacon-wrapped meatloaf, crockpot meatloaf, Cracker Barrel meatloaf, and Lipton onion soup meatloaf.

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