Leg of lamb past use by date- safe to eat?

BallandChain

Hi folks, I know you are very knowledgeable and I need your advice. I have a whole leg of lamb that OH brought home that was going cheap. It's been in the fridge until today (use by date 4.2.10). When he brought it home this morning I've put it straight in the freezer (as it says it can be frozen.) Now for my 101 questions!

1 Will it be safe to eat?

2 If yes how long to defrost it for?

3 What setting should it be cooked on (electric fan oven)

4 Do I just wash it, wrap in foil and put in roasting tin? (lol, you can tell what a novice I am. *Makes mental note to go and buy a roasting tin.)

5 How long to cook for? Lamb is1.660 kg in weight if that helps.

And finally.....

It's a whole leg of lamb and there's only the 2 of us so is there any way I can freeze the left overs once cooked? (Can it be reheated?)

I expect this has all been asked before but I'm rushing this post and didn't have time to do a search. Thank you kind people in advance! I'll be on later to thank you all properly.

jamespir

it will be fine to eat

casperlarue

1. I would say 'Yes, it will be fine to eat' give it a sniff first once you have defrosted it to be sure but I'm pretty sure it will be ok.

2. I would defrost overnight in the fridge

3. Long slow cooking is better, I have a fan oven and I cook everything at 150! Sounds crazy I know but it works for me....haven't poisoned any of the tribe yet! You probably want around 3 hours cooking time for a joint that size.

4. and 5. A Roasting tin is a good idea!..... rub over the joint with olive oil, sprinkle with salt, some chopped up rosemary (fresh stuff if you have it) and chopped up garlic. No need to cover with foil.

Once cooked you can freeze the leftovers, because the meat has changed from raw meat to cooked meat. Leftovers makes yummy cottage pie.....*drool*

HTH, enjoy....and don't forget the mint sauce!

BallandChain

Thanks guys for the answers! There was one question that I forgot to ask and it might seem silly, but do I defrost the meat in the plastic bag or remove the bag and then defrost?

Oh how I feel stupid, lol.

tandraig

hi ballandchain, If i buy meat thats on or just over its sell by - I cook it then freeze it- and defrost as needed. but, dont panic - it should be fine! as long as you didnt notice any obvious signs of being off, then I wouldnt worry,. I have sometimes just bunged it in freezer if i havent time to cook it!
stores usually err on the side of caution - so I take use by dates with a pinch of common sense.
you can defrost in the bag or without - i havent noticed any difference.

k66

I would leave the bag on until defrosted, then remove and wash the leg in cold water checking that it is thoroughly defrosted.

BallandChain

Thank you very much kind people. At least nobody laughed at me, lol. That's helped so much and put my mind at rest. Now all that is left is to buy a roasting tin. I have the mint sauce already!

Farway

BTW, if you ever do cook "off" meat without noticing it before it goes in the oven, you will smell it is "off" when cooked, bit like eggs, once you have a bad one, you know it

Which I guess is how humans have survived for thousands of years

peachyprice

You'll know as soon as it's defrosted whether it's off or not, it will stink your kitchen out as soon as you unwrap it, off lamb is an absolutely disgusting stench.