Help:Can Frozen Mince be Re-frozen? Is it any good? Is it any cheaper than fresh?

twinklybev

Hi,

I'm thinking of starting to buy Frozen mince as it'll help portion control, less waste, etc. Does anyone know if it's safe to re-freeze once cooked? Also, does it taste as good as fresh? Does it work out any cheaper what with all the water in it etc? Many cheers

susank

I dont buy it frozen but buy fresh from my butcher and put into freezer - then I defrost and batch cook and then re-freeze it - if you cook it its fine - I dont know at all if it will be so tasty bought from supermarket frozen but try your local butcher.

helen81_2

Hi,
Ive bought OH frozen tesco mince before and find that when its cooked it turns to mush,it looks really horrid!...will start buying fresh again..more expensive but if it looks and tastes better it doesn't matter that much.

Helen x

walks

I have started buying staek mince from lidle it is realy nice hardly any fat in it after cooking, I cook it and freeze what i dont use, then defrost the next week and heat with out any problems, and i always do big batches of spag bol and chilli and it always seems a lot taster after freezing.


pip
x

tawnyowls

susank wrote:

I dont buy it frozen but buy fresh from my butcher and put into freezer - then I defrost and batch cook and then re-freeze it - if you cook it its fine - I dont know at all if it will be so tasty bought from supermarket frozen but try your local butcher.

My butcher will happily divide it into separate bags for me - I find a pound is about right for a lasagne/shepherd's pie/chilli to feed 4.

LJM

hi i buy morrisons own frozen mince all the time 75p a bag have never had any probs with it and it tastes lovely,i normally boil it before use but theres not a lot of fat on it

jcr16

i buy tesco h/l steak mince. it is 1.69 a bag. and yummy. i often cook this when i bulk cook spag bol, chilli or spicy bean mince and then re-freeze. as long as it is always cooked through properly can't see there being a prob.

although can't really beat mince from the butchers. it has such a distinctive better taste. but for conviniance it is handy to have a bag ( or 3 ) of frozen in freezer.

TheToothfairy_3

I found that frozen mince does go mushy whilst cooking but found a reasonable solution to the problem...I cook it till it's all browned then strain it in a 'fine' colander or sieve (really pressing the spoon on it to get all the juices out) and then put it back in the pan and heat through again whilst stirring. This seems to dry it out a bit and seperate it.
Although I have to say that fresh mince tends to give you nice long ribbons of mince but frozen gives you little bits. IYKWIM.

jussyc

hi, i got some bargain fresh mince which i popped in the freezer, i used it to make a big load of chilli , and then had the thought will it be now ok to freeze the chilli?? help please or we will have to eat chilli for breakfast dinner and tea!!!thanks:o

mrs_mix

yes you can freeze it as it has now been cooked
hth

pam xx

AnnieH

I know you're not supposed to freeze things once they've been frozen and defrosted, but if you defrost food, and then cook it, you can putit in the freezer. Just make sure it's piping hot pnce you reheat it again:)