Refreezing vacuum packed pancetta

Primrose

We defrosted our freezer very early this morning and after repacking it discovered two large packs of vacuum packed pancetta rashers which had accidentally been left out and have now defrosted
Would they be safe to refreeze as there,s been no exposure to air, or should we just now eat them up quickly?

-taff

No, you can't re freeze them.

unforeseen

Of course you can refereeze it. Whether it is a good idea is something you need to investigate.

From https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/how-to-store-food-and-leftovers/

Re-freezing meat and fish
Never re-freeze raw meat (including poultry) or fish that has been defrosted.

You can cook frozen meat and fish once defrosted, and then refreeze them.

You can re-freeze cooked meat and fish once, as long as they have been cooled before going into the freezer. If in doubt, don't re-freeze.

Although not cooked, it is cured which is effectively the same thing in this situation. The fact that it is still hermetically sealed helps.

katkin

I'd cook them, cool, portion and then re-freeze.

It would be a shame to waste them. Cooked and defrosted you can still crisp them up or add them as an ingredient to something else.

VfM4meplse

katkin wrote: »

I'd cook them, cool, portion and then re-freeze.

It would be a shame to waste them. Cooked and defrosted you can still crisp them up or add them as an ingredient to something else.

Whilst I'm sure the taste might escape compromise, its the hidden pathogens that are the problem here. I'd rather not spend more time than is strictly necessary confined to the bathroom, but that's just a personal preference

caronc

If they had defrosted in the fridge personally I'd chance it but "left out" nope!

Enjoy lots of panchetta or cook and then re-package and freeze the cooked stuff.