Freezing sausages and food in general!

Essex22011

I have had some sausages opened in the fridge since Wednesday, the use by date is the 23rd but I have frozen them this morning.
I've just noticed on the packet it says to consume within 24 hours once opened so should I throw these away although they smell fine?

I'm trying to be as money saving as possible but getting so confused by what I can and can't freeze and how to defrost it! For example I froze the microwaveable carrots in a bag and then put them in the microwave from frozen and they tasted rubbish!

I have some chicken in there at the mo when I want to use it do I hit take it out 24 hours before?

Thanks!

Popperwell

I've probably done something similar before and been ok besides you will be making certain they are piping hot and thoroughly cooked.

hilstep2000

Chuck em in the freezer, they'l be fine!

Meadows

Opened since Wednesday of last week, I think I would have cooked them and then frozen them if they smelt okay rather than freezing raw.

You can freeze raw, defrost and cook raw and then re freeze, but not defrost raw and re freeze raw.

Best to put things in to the freezer as fresh as possible but reduced items on the day throw in the freezer rather than pass up a bargain as long as it looks and smells okay.

Kept for a long time in the freezer or stored in unprotected bags/container will result in freezer burn, which does not mean it is inedible but just won't taste as nice as something used within a few months or wrapped well (so don't worry if something has been lurking in there a while).

If your freezer starts to defrost food for any reason (door open, faulty, power cut) then as long as it contains ice crystal it will be okay to continue to keep in the freezer once the defrost problem is resolved, if no ice then best to cook and refreeze if raw or eat asap (if you have a power cut try to stay out of the freezer, the more you open the door the more warm air gets in and cold air comes out - so leave the door firmly closed).

Use you gut, eyes, nose and common sense with foods and you won't go far wrong.

Better to cook foods for future use and add to the freezer rather than risk spoiling (or freeze raw the portion you do not plan to use), always use what has been defrosted that day and not the following day.

Best Before - is just that, will be okay after but may be not as good a taste.

Used By - Use by that date but again common sense as if it looks okay the next day then use.

Sell By - Means the shop has to sell by that day (will also show a use by date).

Don't forget tins and jars, packets still have dates.

Any opened sauces that you don't plan to use, freeze for another time rather than waste because it goes mouldy.

lottie3000

I would put them in the freezer too, I don't worry so much as I used to about freezing things as long as you de-frost and make sure they're cooked thoroughly then they'll be fine. I bought some chicken in Asda once on the date on the packet and froze it, when I defrosted it, it smelt horrible. Since then I tend not to worry too much and use my nose much more

Essex22011

Thanks for your replies, i will test them on the boyfriend first :rotfl:! When defrosting meat should i just take it out 24 hours before?

TonyMMM

You take it out for as long as it needs to be completely thawed ....so it depends on weight/size. And depends on the temperature of the room....it will take longer in the fridge.

A few hours may be enough for sausages, overnight for a small chicken etc.