Is it dangerous to refreeze chicken?

Pate · 18 Jan 2012 at 16:26

I monged it the other day and managed to take my chicken fillets out of the freezer (6 fillets worth).

It's now defrosted in the fridge and has approached it's use by date. Would it be safe (or at least doable) to re-freeze it, and if not, can anyone think of a way to use the chicken. I could quite happily eat 6 fillets, but I would like it to last more than one-two days. :/

Thanks

lookitsjonno · 18 Jan 2012 at 16:27

cook them and then refreeze

definately do not refreeze raw

Hxc · 18 Jan 2012 at 16:32

I'm interested as to why you can't do this, I was under the impression you couldn't but I have absolutely no idea why.

Glaucus · 18 Jan 2012 at 16:34

It'll be fine. Remember goverment rules are the lowest common denominator and often not factual. Let's be over safe to ensure dumb people don't get confused.

Just remember that it's already had a days worth of bacteria growth and when you pull it out the freezer again, that it's not starting from low bacteria count.

lookitsjonno · 18 Jan 2012 at 16:36

Glaucus said:
It'll be fine. Remember goverment rules are the lowest common denominator and often not factual. Let's be over safe to ensure dumb people don't get confused.

Another meat such as Beef I would, but I personally would recommend against refreezing chicken

bsoltan · 18 Jan 2012 at 16:39

Make a chicken curry. Freeze anything you don't want to eat in the next few days.

Pate · 18 Jan 2012 at 16:40

So it is safe(ish) to do so? I'll be nuking the chicken (properly frying it once I cook it) when I do use it, so hopefully it shouldn't be to dangerous? Can't really afford to be wasting chicken.

Hxc · 18 Jan 2012 at 16:40

lookitsjonno said:
Another meat such as Beef I would, but I personally would recommend against refreezing chicken

Why?
Is it because of the bacteria? Surely if you just defrosted then cooked straight away it would be fine?
I can't work out why it would be a problem, lest the chicken had already gone off before refreezing.

Pate · 18 Jan 2012 at 16:40

bsoltan said:
Make a chicken curry. Freeze anything you don't want to eat in the next few days.

Any cheap recipes? Thanks

Glaucus · 18 Jan 2012 at 16:41

lookitsjonno said:
Another meat such as Beef I would, but I personally would recommend against refreezing chicken

Why if you dig a bit deeper.

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/help/faqs_hotline_preparation/index.asp

If you purchase previously frozen meat, poultry or fish at a retail store, you can refreeze if it has been handled properly.

really people listen to rules to much and taking it a shopper, same as use by dates 23:59 food is perfectly fine 00:01 your going to die. What do people think have happened in that two minutes. Also you think companies won't add a lot of safety margin on use by dates to ensure they comply with H&s and don't get sued.

lookitsjonno · 18 Jan 2012 at 16:41

cook it, freeze it and use it as you would but use less cooking time when you eventually use it.

cheets64 · 18 Jan 2012 at 16:41

I wouldn't, dont forget as soon as its start to defrost its decaying, air is getting to it.

Just cook them and freeze.

If you dont they have been fresh, then frozen, then defrosted, then refrozen and then defrosted again. :S

Glaucus · 18 Jan 2012 at 16:42

Hxc said:
Why?
Is it because of the bacteria? Surely if you just defrosted then cooked straight away it would be fine?
I can't work out why it would be a problem, lest the chicken had already gone off before refreezing.

Lowest common denominator.

People think if chicken lasts 4 days. Then unfreezing, freezing then unfreezing will last 4 days. When infant its already had a days worth of growth. So it's no longer 4 days. Probably closer to two.

Pate · 18 Jan 2012 at 16:44

cheets64 said:
I wouldn't, dont forget as soon as its start to defrost its decaying, air is getting to it.

Just cook them and freeze.

If you dont they have been fresh, then frozen, then defrosted, then refrozen and then defrosted again. :S

The chicken hasn't been opened yet (though some **** has spilt milk on it).

randal · 18 Jan 2012 at 16:54

Refreeze chicken? Dangerous?

In your kitchen, most probably.

Bigj2134 · 18 Jan 2012 at 18:23

I wouldn't.

Cook them, then throw inside some shrink-wrap for up to 2 days. Anything more and your likely to give yourself the squirts.

Pate · 18 Jan 2012 at 19:30

Meh, turns out it's the 18th today. Hmmm

Technically the chicken is a couple days off already. Looks like I'll cook and then refreeze.

Any good way to batch cook 6 fillets?

RedvGreen · 18 Jan 2012 at 20:00

Pate said:
Meh, turns out it's the 18th today. Hmmm

Technically the chicken is a couple days off already. Looks like I'll cook and then refreeze.

Any good way to batch cook 6 fillets?

Depends on your cooking style - boil in bag? grill? fry? roast? etc

4MIT · 18 Jan 2012 at 21:57

Much fuss about nothing, use some common sense, if you need to refreeze it try not to handle it and leave it exposed for too long. If it looks suspicious or smells suspicious dont use it.

Jolteh · 18 Jan 2012 at 22:34

Refreezing food that has already been frozen and thawed is less about the danger and more about the fact that it'll taste like crap. Freezing, especially when done in domestic freezers, draws out the water bound in the meat and it runs off as it thaws. It changes the texture of it and leaves it dryer when cooked.

It's noticeable when meat's been frozen once, and even more so when it's done multiple times.