[Explanation with photos! ] How to freeze beef, storage period, and 5 recipes!

Have you ever tried freezing beef?

Many people have probably frozen raw beef, but there are other ways to freeze beef.

For example, season it and freeze it. This method has the advantage of reducing cooking time as the flavors infuse during freezing.

Or stir-fry and freeze. This method not only shortens cooking time, but also has the advantage of extending shelf life.

This article introduces how to freeze beef, the best thawing method, and the appropriate storage period.

If you are interested in frozen preservation, please take a look.

beef nutrition

Nutritional value and calories of beef

The calories in beef vary greatly depending on the cut. The highest calorie part is the "rose" with 371kcal, and the lowest calorie part is the "fillet" with 133kcal (calculated based on 100g of imported beef).

You may be wondering why there is a difference of more than 200 kcal depending on the part of the cow, even though it is the same cow. This is related to the amount of fat it contains.

Roses, which have the highest calorie content, contain a large amount of fat among the three major nutrients. On the other hand, ``fin'' does not contain much fat, but instead is rich in protein.

This difference between fat and protein is reflected in the difference in calories.

In addition, beef contains the following minerals and vitamins.

【mineral】
Potassium, calcium, sodium, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese, iron, zinc, copper

【vitamin】
Vitamins A, D, E, K, B1, B2, B6, B12, folic acid, niacin, pantothenic acid, C

Benefits of beef

[Beauty effect]

You may not be familiar with the beauty effects of beef, but it actually contains plenty of ingredients that are perfect for keeping your hair and skin beautiful.

First, it is rich in high-quality protein. Protein is converted into amino acids in the body and becomes a component of blood and skin. It has various functions such as preventing hair from becoming dry, producing new skin every day, and speeding up the healing of wounds.

It also contains vitamin B2, which is called the "beauty vitamin." Vitamin B2 has the function of converting the three major nutrients into energy, and also has the function of keeping the skin and mucous membranes healthy. Therefore, by consuming enough, you can keep your skin and nails beautiful.

If you lack vitamin B2, your body's skin and mucous membranes will not be able to maintain their normal functioning. This can lead to symptoms such as rough skin, acne, and canker sores.

[Solving women's painful problems]

Beef is rich in iron. Iron has the function of producing hemoglobin, and hemoglobin has the function of delivering oxygen to cells throughout the body.

In the first place, anemia and sensitivity to cold are caused by a lack of oxygen reaching every corner of the body. The lack of oxygen leads to a state of oxygen deficiency (anemia), and cell activity tends to stagnate (sensitivity to cold).

Women have less muscular strength than men, so blood flow is more likely to be blocked. In addition, because blood is wasted during monthly menstruation, there is a tendency for the body to become short of blood itself in the first place. Therefore, getting enough iron from foods such as beef can help improve anemia and sensitivity to cold.

Advantages of freezing beef

Allows long-term storage

The first advantage is that it can be stored for a long time.

Beef can only be stored for about 2 to 3 days in the refrigerator, or for about 3 to 4 days in a special low temperature room. Moreover, as the days pass, the freshness gradually decreases.

However, if it is frozen, it can be stored for a long time while maintaining its freshness.

A common disadvantage of freezing food is that it reduces the texture of the food. This is because when the water contained in the food solidifies (becomes ice), it damages surrounding cells.

This phenomenon may occur when frozen in a raw state. However, if you try the ``method of seasoning and freezing'' or ``stir-frying and then freezing'' that will be introduced later, you can avoid the disadvantages of poor texture.

Reduces cooking time

The second benefit is reduced cooking time.

You can shorten the time it takes to prepare food by preparing it in advance and freezing it.

For example, if you season the food in advance, all you have to do is bake it. There is no need to add any additional seasoning, so the dish can be completed in no time. If you stir-fry and freeze it, all you have to do is heat it up in the microwave, which saves time.

This will be your best friend when you don't have the energy to cook from scratch late at night, or when you're busy in the morning and don't have time to pack your lunch.

How to freeze beef

[Before freezing]

Have you ever experienced that the inside of the beef you just bought was brown?

Fresh meat is naturally brown in color. The bright red color we are familiar with is the result of brown color changing when exposed to air (oxygen). As time passes, it will oxidize and turn blackish brown.

The inside of the meat you just bought is brown because it hasn't been exposed to air, and it doesn't mean it's spoiled.

When freezing in small portions

1. If there is any moisture, wipe it off with kitchen paper.

2. Wrap in plastic wrap in convenient amounts.

3. Place in a freezer bag and freeze.

★If it's minced meat, wrap it in chunks, or if it's thinly sliced meat, wrap it individually in plastic wrap (the photo shows the minced meat).
★To prevent the transfer of germs from your hands, avoid touching raw meat with bare hands.

When freezing with seasoning

1. Place the meat and seasonings in a freezer bag and freeze.

★To prevent food from oxidizing, remove as much air as possible.
★If you make it as thin and flat as possible, it will freeze faster.

When frying and freezing

1. Fry the meat in a frying pan, seasoning as needed.

2. Wait for it to cool down and wrap it in plastic wrap.

3. Place in a freezer bag and freeze.

★For seasoning, please combine salt, pepper, soy sauce, mirin, etc. to match the dish.
★Useful for use in stews and curries.

In other cases

[When freezing ground meat]

You can put it directly into a freezer bag and freeze it. At that time, it is easier to use if you cut the meat into 2 or 4 equal parts using chopsticks (minced meat is perishable, so freeze it the same day you buy it).

[When freezing as vegetable rolls]

Wrap the vegetables in thinly sliced meat and wrap each one in plastic wrap. All you have to do is put it in a freezer bag and freeze it. In the second half, I will introduce the recipe for burdock rolls.

How to defrost beef and storage period

How to defrost beef

Basically, we recommend thawing it naturally in the refrigerator. By thawing slowly and slowly, you can prevent the flavor from leaking out due to drips.

However, defrosting in the refrigerator takes time, so if you are in a hurry, we recommend defrosting under running water. Fill a bowl with ice water and place it in a freezer bag.

Water has a higher thermal conductivity than air, so it can defrost food faster than a refrigerator. Also, be sure to use it up quickly.

Thawing in the microwave is a last resort. We do not recommend this method as it tends to overheat and cause uneven thawing, but please use it when you are short on time.

Beef shelf life

Basically, please consider 3 weeks as a guide.

To write it a little more precisely,
・2 to 3 weeks if frozen raw
・3 to 4 weeks if heated and frozen
is the standard.

Please note that we do not recommend refreezing food that has been thawed. This is because if you repeatedly freeze and thaw, the cells of the food will be damaged each time, and the texture and flavor will be greatly impaired.

>> Meat preservation methods, expiration dates, thawing methods, and rapid freezing methods!

5 easy recipes using beef

Stir-fried sweet and spicy paprika

☑材料（2~3人分）
・牛肉　200g
・パプリカ　2個
・ピーマン　1個
●砂糖　小さじ2
●酒　大さじ1
●みりん　大さじ1
●醤油　大さじ2

<How to make>
1) Defrost the beef naturally in the refrigerator.
2) Heat oil in a frying pan and fry the thawed (1).
3) Once the fire is mostly done, stir-fry the paprika and green pepper.
4) Add the seasonings marked ● and mix to complete.

Burdock roll

☑材料（2人分）
・ごぼう　120g
・薄切り牛肉　200g
・片栗粉　少々
●赤ワイン　大さじ1/3
●はちみつ　大さじ1
●薄口醤油　大さじ1
●みりん　大さじ1
◆濃口醤油　大さじ1
◆バルサミコ酢　小さじ2
◆水　大さじ2

<How to make>
1) Defrost the beef naturally in the refrigerator.
2) Cut the burdock root into quarters lengthwise and soak in water.
3) Once the burdock has become soft, boil it with the seasonings listed in ● until it becomes soft, then let it cool.
4) Drain the liquid from (3), wrap it in beef, and sprinkle with potato starch.
5) Heat oil in a frying pan and fry (4) over medium heat.
6) When it is browned, add the seasonings ◆ and bring to a boil.
7) Cut into appropriate sizes and serve.

Shigureni

☑材料（2.3人分）
・薄切り牛肉　300g
・砂糖　大さじ2
・みりん　大さじ1
・醤油　大さじ2
・酒　大さじ5
・しょうが　50g
・ごま油　大さじ2
・砂糖　大さじ2
・みりん　大さじ1
・醤油　大さじ2

<How to make>
1) Defrost the beef naturally in the refrigerator, spread it out, cut it into 2-3cm pieces, and sprinkle with sake.
2) Cut the ginger into strips.
3) Heat sesame oil in a pot over medium heat and stir-fry the ginger.
4) Add the beef from (1) along with the sake and stir-fry over medium-high heat.
5) Add sugar, mirin, and soy sauce in that order and boil until the liquid is gone.

★This is a dish that can be used as a preserved food (always on hand) or as a side dish for lunch boxes, and can also be frozen after cooking.
★You can also use pre-seasoned meat.

Sukiyaki-style stew

☑材料（2、3人分）
・牛肉　200g
・焼き豆腐　1丁
・しらたき　200g程度
・キャベツ　小1/4
・だし汁　1/2カップ
・牛脂　小さじ1~2
・砂糖　大さじ3
・酒　大さじ3
・醤油　大さじ1/3

<How to make>
1) Defrost the beef naturally in the refrigerator and cut it into 5cm wide pieces.
2) Cut the cabbage into 3cm cubes, and cut the tofu in half lengthwise, then into 8 equal pieces.
3) Boil the shirataki in water, once it boils, turn off the heat, cool it in water, and then cut it into bite-sized pieces.
4) Melt the beef tallow in a hot pot and spread out the meat.
5) Sprinkle sugar all over, and when the color of the meat changes, add sake, soy sauce, and dashi stock.
6) Move the meat to the side of the pot and add the remaining ingredients to the empty space.
7) Simmer on medium heat for about 15 to 20 minutes until the cabbage has absorbed the flavor and is ready.

Spicy stir-fried beef and beeman

☑材料（１人分）
・薄切り牛肉　150g
・ピーマン　3~4個
・片栗粉　小さじ1
・塩こしょう　少々
・鷹の爪　少々
●酒　大さじ1
●醤油　大さじ1/2~1
●オイスターソース　小さじ1
●ガラスープの素　小さじ1/2
●豆板醤　小さじ1/2

<How to make>
1) Defrost the beef naturally in the refrigerator, cut it into bite-sized pieces, and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and potato starch.
2) Cut the peppers into thin strips lengthwise.
3) Heat oil in a frying pan and fry the hawk claws and (1).
4) When the whole thing is cooked, add the green pepper and mix it with the seasonings marked ● and it's done.

★You can also use frozen meat that has been seasoned with salt and pepper in advance.

Conclusion

I introduced how to freeze beef, but what do you think?

The easiest way is to cut it raw into small pieces. If you're looking to shorten the cooking time, try seasoning and freezing, or stir-frying and then freezing.

Estimated storage period is 3 weeks. It can be stored for 2 to 3 weeks if it is not heated, and for 3 to 4 weeks if it is heated.

It is best to thaw naturally in the refrigerator. Next, thaw with ice water. Food will taste better if you only use the microwave when you are really in a hurry.

Beef can be cooked in many variations, so use this method to preserve it well.

>> Best before date and tips for extending the best before date for frozen meat and fish

>> [What is the expiry date of frozen foods? ] Points to consider for eating deliciously