Frequently asked questions about reusing marinades:

• I put chicken in Italian dressing and then grilled the chicken. Can I use the uncooked dressing to dip the chicken in?

• In relation to the use of a marinade to tenderize meat or poultry, what would be the cooking time and temperature suggested to make a gravy and avoid contamination?
• My friend invited us over to a cookout and served chicken breasts, steaks, hamburgers and hotdogs. While he was grilling the meat I noticed that he was marinating the chicken breasts and steaks with the raw juice from the container right up until the last moment of grilling! I was a little appalled, but said nothing and told my children in private to eat sides only and I would explain later. Was that the right thing to do? Would the food have been contaminated?
• Can you freeze used marinade and then use it later, if you boil it when you unfreeze it?
• I purchased too many mussels and I cooked them all so I would not lose them.  How can I preserve them?  In jar? Marinated?  Would you have any ideas please?  Thanks!
• I would like to know the preservation time in the refrigerator for marinated chicken cubes?  Should I vacuum-packed them and keep them in the fridge.  I am receiving some friends on Saturday and buying my chicken on Wednesday to marinate it on the same day.  Thank you!
• Can you freeze your meat and marinades together in the freezer. preferably duck meat?
• Hi, can you store cooked and raw meats together on the same shelf in the freezer?
• Why should we wait for a meat that has just been cooked to cool down before putting it in the refrigerator?
• Hi!  Why should we have to remove mussels out of their shell before freezing them?  I cook them and prepare them with some cream and then, freeze part of it in a sealed container with their shell and the juice.  Can we still consume them or not?  Thank you!
• A friend of mine gave me as a gift four pigeons that have been naturally frozen.  After thawing, defeathering and cooking, is it possible to freeze any leftovers for future consumption?
• I still have a lot of salad dressing as left-over following a meal.  Can I freeze it?
• Can you give me a recipe as of how to freeze mussels (seafoods)? 
• How long can we keep food in safely sealed sterile containers without any danger?
• Should we freeze cooked mussels with their cooking juice?
• I wanted to prepare yellow pepper slices in canola oil and someone suggested to cut them as such and add coarse salt for 2 hours to drain it after.  Now my pepper are to salty for me.  What can I do to get rid of the salty taste.  They are not pickled yet.  Do you know if once I pickled them, the salty taste will diminish?  Thanks!
• I marinated pork cutlets in Kraft Italian dressing.  How long can I keep them in the refrigerator before eating them?
• How long does packaged beef jerky with a resealable top stay good after the package has been opened?
• How long can you safely marinate london broil?
• Can we freeze a marinated meat^
• Can you put raw chicken, beef, and pork in the same container to marinate together?
• How long can an opened can of food stay good?
• can you thaw fish and chips together, if you thaw them in a large bowl and there is still ice in the bowl. when you take them out of the bowl you seperate them never to mix them again?
• I bought Chicken breasts from the deli over the weekend. It is now Tuesday, if my plan is to freeze them in marinade to be cooked at a later date, is the chicken still okay? (i ran out of vacuum sealer bags to package them) What signs should I look for to see if the meat is still good?
• Is it safe to serve cooked beef and chicken on the same platter?
• Hi!  I already marinated some chicken breasts (oil, garlic, spices) and I was wondering if we could re-use the brine again?  If so, how long would it keep in the refrigerator or in the freezer?  Thank you!
• how long can I store cooked ground beef in a closed plastic container in the refrigerator
• can i store uncooked cornbread stuffing in the frig two or three days?
• After opening a bottle of marinade how long will the unused portion keep in the fridge?
• I just grilled four chicken breasts and ate one. Is it safe to freeze the other three breasts and if so, for how long?
• How long can i keep fresh mussels in the refrigerator?
• Hi!  In preparation of the meal for  December 24th (in two weeks), I have prepared an old fashioned layered pâté (marinated veal cubes, bison and pork (red wine and beef broth), potatoes and pie paste).  I have marinated the bison and the pork on the second day of their purchase at the butcher shop.  The veal cubes were marinated while they were still frozen (24 hours thaw while marinating).  I put the pâté together after letting the three meat marinated 24 hours.  Without any further cooking, I wrapped the pâté (aluminium paper and plastic film) and put it in the freezer.  Cooking time for the pâté would be 8 hours and 15 minutes.  Now, I am wondering if I should have cooked it before putting it in the freezer.  Is my pâté still good now? 
• Can I alternate on a same skewer pieces of raw beef and raw chicken and cook them slowly in the oven at low heat?
• Can I freeze a salmon mousse that contains cream cheese, yogurt and mayonnaise?
• Hi Mrs. Cookwell!  I would like to know the length of time that we can keep a cooked roast beef in the refrigerator.  Thank you!
• I took steak out of freezer and cannot use them until 25th December can I marinate and leave in fridge in sealed container until then
• How many times can we reuse a plastic container such as a container of margarine or yogurt to keep food in the freezer?
• Can I freeze marinated raw salmon? If yes, how long can I keep it in the freezer?
• I bought some mussels, I wasn't planning on eating them right away, so I froze them uncooked. Are they still okay?
• Hi!  I would like to know if we can freeze a package of grounded beef made of a mixture of fresh meat and previously frozen meat?
• Hi!  How long can we consume fresh grounded beef for cooking kept in the refrigerator.  Thank you for your answer.
• Last night I made a marinade of oil, sherry, ginger and soy sauce and marinated chicken breast, there was some marinade left in the bowl from the raw chicken and I poured it over raw salmon which is now marinating in the refrigerator. I plan to cook the salmon tonight but have a feeling that I should throw the salmon out. Should I or if I cook the salmon properly, It will be ok?
• How long can you keep cooked ground beef in the refrigerator?
• Can you cook pork and steak in a slow cooker together?
• Is it ok to take frozen chicken breasts and thaw them so that I can prepare them for future cooking and then refreeze the prepared uncooked meal?
• Hi Mrs. Cookwell!  Can we freeze cooked grounded meat in a bolognese sauce knowing that the meat was frozen while it was raw?
• Will salmon steak still be safe to eat if left in the refrigerator in a marinade for 3 days before cooking it?
• After a package of hot dogs has been opened, how long will it stay good for in the fridge?
• How long can I keep cooked mussels in the fridge?
• My mussels have been in hte refrigerator for the last 6 days.  Some are opened and others are closed.  Would they still be good once cooked?  This is urgent!
• Can we reduce the taste of salt in a ratatouille dish that is too salty?

• I was given frozen mussels and kept them in my freezer for about 1 month.  Are they safe to eat?  If yes, how do I cook them?  Urgent, thank you.

• How long does an opened can of salmon stay good in the fridge?
• Is it safe to use tins of food once the expiry date is up?. I have tins put away that have been there for a few years, some have no dates on them. Are they safe to use if the tins look all right?
• How long can I store marinated meats in the freezer.
• How long should I wait to cook a steak after I remove it from the refrig?
• I purchased ground beef, ground pork, and sausage from the refrigerator section of a shoppping market. When I got home, I froze the packages until ready to use about two weeks later. With these, I made meatballs and sausage for gravy. Since I had leftovers, I decided to freeze them. Is it okay to refreeze the cooked meatballs and sausage?
• I am wondering if for meat loaves made of beef, pork and veal, when they are cooked, they can be kept in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days as we do for the cooked ground beef?  Thank you!
• My mother-in-law keeps raw meat in oil for several days; telling me that there is nothing to worry about.  Can you tell me how many days the meat would keep itself that way?
• I purchased a five pound bag of mussels and I don't want to cook them can I just freeze them in the same bag I purchased them in without opening the bag at all. I don't want to touch them. I need to know now please respond quickly. Thank you for help!
• How long can we keep raw beef in the refrigerator?
• I bought raw salmon on Thursday and I would like to eat sushi Friday night.  Is it dangerous?  If so, would it be better if I marinate the fish in lemon and soya sauce?
• Can beef or venison be frozen whole or quartered when freshly butchered and then be dethawed later for further processing into meal sized portions which would be refrozen uncooked? If so, under what conditions can this be done safely? Thanks.
• I have heard that the best steaks (beef or venison) come from a famed "21 day" aging process, which I do not quite understand. My butcher says this method causes the "natural enzymes to break down the meat, thereby tenderizing it to juicy perfection." Could you please explain this process and how can it be done safely at home if a person is able to aquire a 1/2 beef or whole deer. Thanks.
• I would like to know how long can I keep a cooked prok roast in the refrigerator?  Thank you!
• Hi!  How long can I keep grounded beef bought at a butcher shop before cooking it?  Thanks!
• I have had some steak marinating in Italian dressing in the frig for almost a week. Would they still be ok to eat?
• I just found 2 pounds of skinless bonelsess chicken breast in my freezer. It has been there for 8 months. Is it still safe to eat? Thank you so much for your answer.
• I just marinted pork tri tip that has been in the refrigerator for 4 days. Can I safely wait 2 more days before roasting it for pulled pork? Will roast for at least 4 hrs.
• i bought frozen chicken breast and they are very salty what can i do with the rest of the frozen chicken to get the salt taste out
• Can I cooked leftover tofu spread that contain mayonnaise?  I would like to mix it to something else.
• Can I freeze an opened package of lean ground beef if I put the un-used half in a freezer bag? (I only needed half of it to cook and don't want to just throw away good ground beef.)
• Can I still eat fresh mussels that have been in the fridge for two days?
• At a barbeque the marinated tri-tip was left sitting in a container for about three hours in the sun before it was barbequed. Can we still eat it?
• How long can I store ground chuck in my refrigerator in its vacuum sealed package. I took frozen ground chuck out of the freezer and put in in the refrigerator to thaw. The ground chuck came frozen in a vacuum sealed package. It has been a week since I put the ground chuck in the refrigerator. Is it still safe to cook and eat. I just opened the package and the ground chuck looks fine and smells fine.
• How long can a cooked steak be kept in the fridge? It's been 2 days so far.
• I have raw chicken fillets. Is it safe to stuff them with cooked pate and then roll them in cooked ham?
• How long can I refrigerate raw pork steaks? Thank you!
• I thawed out a Marinated Tri-Tip and placed it in the fridge, I wasn't able to barbeque it until the third day, is that safe?
• I have purchased grounded meat (beef) 3 days ago and I put it in the freezer on the 4th day.  Can we still eat it.
• How long can I keep marinated london broil in the freezer and should I use vacuum bags?
• Hi, I reheated an old steak that was in my fridge by mistake, (I didn't know it was for the dog) after my husband had eaten the steak he said it tasted funny that's when we realized that it was the one that was about 2 weeks old, will he get food poisoning from this? Is there anything we can do after the fact? Thank you for your time.
• I have bought chicken thighs from the store,then marinated it with red wine/ onions/rosemary/thyme/garlic on same day and put it in the fridge(glass baking dish covered by plastic wrap). something came up and I went out for the weekend(4-5 days in fridge)Can I still sear and bake the chicken ?? thanks in advance Balazs
• How long can we keep meat in the freezer?  Is it hazardous if we keep it longer than time recommended or is it only the taste that might change.
• A chef told me that it is ok to defrost chicken, pork and meat in standing water (in a sink) at the same time. All 3 items are raw. Isn't this considerered dangerous? Unsafe? ...
• I purchased some meats at a butcher shop (veal cutlets, rib eyes, turkey brochettes, bourguignon and grounded meat).  I left the whole package at the bottom of the refrigerator for 3 full nights and now, I have doubts about the faith of that meat.  Steaks became darker.  Should I throw everything?  I put everything in the freezer.
• I have a recipe to marinate pork fillets.  I have to marinate them for about 24 hours in the refrigerator and then cook the fillets in the oven in this marinade as a sauce.  I was wondering if the fact of using a marinade as a sauce in which raw pork fillets have marinated could be dangerous?
• I prepared chicken dinner with stove top stuffing and cream of chicken soup recipe.   I froze the leftovers.  How long do I cook the leftovers and should I thaw the leftovers before I cook them also can leftover mostaccholi be frozen?
• I have prepared to much marinade for the meat that I had.  How long can I keep it or can I freeze it?  Thank you!
• I had left ground chuck patties, in my car for 4 to 5 hrs, after purchasing them, upon realizing that i had left the meat in car, i grilled them up, are they still good to eat.
• I bought fresh ground beef and cooked it with mushrooms and peppers and froze it for a spaghetti sauce. I now have made the sauce and have leftovers.  Can I refreeze the ground beef again now that it is in the sauce?
• How to preserve tomatoes?
• I marinated a steak in oil, Worchestershire sauce, and soy sauce for about 45 minutes. Can I then take the marinade, put onions in it and then cook it in the oven? Will that kill the bacteria and such and make it edible?
• Can I freeze bolognese spaghetti knowing that the meat used has been previuosly frozen?  If so, how long would the sauce keep in the freezer?
• Hi!  I am wondering if my raw pork chops are still good after five days in the refrigerator?  Thank you!
• I have just purchased steaks and left them on my counter in the original package for 2-3 hours before refrigerating them. They are now refrigerated and marinating. Are they still ok to eat?
• Hi!  I have some spaghetti sauce that I thawed las week.  It as been 7-8 days now and my grand-mother says that it should keep for 10 days.  What do you think?
• I forgot about my cooked grounded meat on the counter in a covered pan for 8 hours.  Do I have to throw it out?
• I stuffed a pork loin last night and put in the fridge to cook today, is it safe to cook with the dressing inside the meat overnight.
• How long meat such as roast beef or roast pork would keep in the refrigerator once thawed?  Thank you!
• I want to boil spare ribs on Thursday and put them in the refrigerator to grill them on Sunday and eat them.  Would they be still good?
• How long can you keep brined chicken safely in the refrigerator without freezing.
• Hi Ms. Cookwell!  I update the meat that I have in the freezer and I came across some deer meat that has been there for the last two years.  It has been frozen in a vacuum pack and everything seems perfect.  Can I eat that meat or would I risk to be sick?  Thank you!
• Can we freeze a tomato sauce that was prevouisly in a can?
• I am making scrapple for xmas breakfast, the pork is cooked and shredded then added to the cooked corn meal, my question is can this mixture be frozen.
• Hi, I had some frozen sausages which I made a bolognese sauce . Can I freeze the sauce I made it?
• Hi!  How long a baked shepherd's pie would keep in the refrigerator.  It has not been frozen before.  Thank you!
• Do we need to refrgerate Ketchup!?

 

---

 

I put chicken in Italian dressing and then grilled the chicken. Can I use the uncooked dressing to dip the chicken in?

Do not save or reuse marinades used for raw poultry, meat or fish. It should be discarded or brought to a full rolling boil for several minutes before using for basting or dipping.

In relation to the use of a marinade to tenderize meat or poultry, what would be the cooking time and temperature suggested to make a gravy and avoid contamination?

Ideally, it would be best to reserve a portion of the marinade to use for the gravy. In this way, it would not have been contaminated with the juices from the meat. Or, if you do use the marinade that has been on the meat, bring it a full rolling boil, for one minute and then make your gravy. This is assuming, of course, that you have marinated your meat in the refrigerator.


My friend invited us over to a cookout and served chicken breasts, steaks, hamburgers and hotdogs. While he was grilling the meat I noticed that he was marinating the chicken breasts and steaks with the raw juice from the container right up until the last moment of grilling! I was a little appalled, but said nothing and told my children in private to eat sides only and I would explain later. Was that the right thing to do? Would the food have been contaminated?

If you mean the food was being basted with the raw juice or marinade, you made a wise decision not to eat the grilled food. A used marinade has to be discarded after the food is put on the grill because there is a risk it may be contaminated with harmful bacteria. Or it can be used as a basting sauce if it has been brought to a full rolling boil for at least a minute to destroy any bacteria that may be present.

Can you freeze used marinade and then use it later, if you boil it when you unfreeze it?

Marinades should be discarded after use because they may contain harmful bacteria.

I purchased too many mussels and I cooked them all so I would not lose them.  How can I preserve them?  In jar? Marinated?  Would you have any ideas please?  Thanks!

Cooked mussels may be frozen for as long as three months.Remove the mussels from their shells, drain and pack in freezer containers, leaving 1 cm/1/2 in headspace. Freeze. To can safely, muscles have to be processed in a pressure canner.

I would like to know the preservation time in the refrigerator for marinated chicken cubes?  Should I vacuum-packed them and keep them in the fridge.  I am receiving some friends on Saturday and buying my chicken on Wednesday to marinate it on the same day.  Thank you!

Chicken cubes in a marinade can be safely refrigerated only as long as raw chicken which is two days.  But if they are properly vacuum packed and are used on the saturday, they should be fine.

Can you freeze your meat and marinades together in the freezer. preferably duck meat?

Yes, you can put your meat or poultry into a marinade before freezing. But be sure the marinade is cold.Then the food is marinated while the food is defrosting in the fridge.
Cook within 48 hours of defrosting.

Hi, can you store cooked and raw meats together on the same shelf in the freezer?

Yes you can store raw and cooked meats, poultry and fish together on the same freezer shelf. But when thawing, avoid  dripping of raw juices onto other food.Place raw meat, poultry and fish on a plate and store on the bottom shelf. 

Why should we wait for a meat that has just been cooked to cool down before putting it in the refrigerator?

It is highly recommended to cool down your meat as fast as possible to avoid any temperature abuse and avoid bacterial growth.  If your meat is extremely hot, transfer it in shallow container and let sit for half an hour.  Cover and put in the refrigerator as soon as possible.  If your meat is not that hot, do not hesitate to put it in the refrigerator right away.  You will be sorry if you let it sit there and forget about it for a longer period of time.

Hi!  Why should we have to remove mussels out of their shell before freezing them?  I cook them and prepare them with some cream and then, freeze part of it in a sealed container with their shell and the juice.  Can we still consume them or not?  Thank you!

Yes, your cooked mussels frozen in a cream sauce should be safe to eat. If you defrost them before cooking, do it in the fridge.

A friend of mine gave me as a gift four pigeons that have been naturally frozen.  After thawing, defeathering and cooking, is it possible to freeze any leftovers for future consumption?

If safe handling practices have been followed in the preparation and cooking of the pigeons, the leftovers should be safe to freeze.

I still have a lot of salad dressing as left-over following a meal.  Can I freeze it?

Leftover vinaigrette salad dressing is usually refrigerated and used within three to four days rather than frozen. Freezing would not affect the safety but there may be changes of quality such as flavour and texture.   

Can you give me a recipe as of how to freeze mussels (seafoods)? 

Mrs. Cookwell can answer questions about food safety but she cannot provide recipes. You may find directions for freezing mussels on the Internet.

How long can we keep food in safely sealed sterile containers without any danger?

Food canned or preserved in in safely sealed sterile containers which have been correctly processed in a boiling water canner or pressure canner as the recipe dictates, may be stored for as long as one year.

Should we freeze cooked mussels with their cooking juice?

Yes, cooked mussels can be safely frozen with their cooking juice.

I wanted to prepare yellow pepper slices in canola oil and someone suggested to cut them as such and add coarse salt for 2 hours to drain it after.  Now my pepper are to salty for me.  What can I do to get rid of the salty taste.  They are not pickled yet.  Do you know if once I pickled them, the salty taste will diminish?  Thanks!

If you are talking about preserving the peppers in oil to store at room temperature, this is not a safe procedure because botulinum spores can develop in the anaerobic environment of the oil. If you intend to go on and pickle the peppers, then you should consult Bernardin for recipe advice. 

http://www.homecanning.com/can/

I marinated pork cutlets in Kraft Italian dressing.  How long can I keep them in the refrigerator before eating them?

For best quality, pork cutlets should only be marinated overnight. But they can be left as long as three to four days.

How long does packaged beef jerky with a resealable top stay good after the package has been opened?

Because the safety of jerky depends on the level of moisture which varies, once opened, reseal, keep refrigerated and use within two to three weeks.

How long can you safely marinate london broil?

Beef may be marinated in the refrigerated for as long as 3 to 4 days. But it's recommended that it be marinated be no longer than one day. After that, the meat will lose quality.

Can we freeze a marinated meat^

Yes,  meat can be frozen in a marinade. 

Can you put raw chicken, beef, and pork in the same container to marinate together?

Yes, raw chicken, beef and pork can be marinated together.

How long can an opened can of food stay good?

This depends on the type of canned food.  Low acid foods such as soups, stews, and vegetables should be used within 3 - 4 days, high acid foods such as fruits and fruit sauces should be used within 5 -7 days, and canned fish used in 2 days.  To keep your food fresh and safe, remove leftover food from cans and store in a covered storage container in the refrigerator.

can you thaw fish and chips together, if you thaw them in a large bowl and there is still ice in the bowl. when you take them out of the bowl you seperate them never to mix them again?

Is the fish previously cooked? Some prepared frozen fish and chips are sold in the same package.  Follow the cooking instructions given on the box to ensure they are adequately cooked. 

I bought Chicken breasts from the deli over the weekend. It is now Tuesday, if my plan is to freeze them in marinade to be cooked at a later date, is the chicken still okay? (i ran out of vacuum sealer bags to package them) What signs should I look for to see if the meat is still good?

Fresh chicken parts should be cooked or frozen within 2 days of purchase.  Unfortunately, the various bacteria that cause food poisoning do not make food look or smell bad so there is no way to know for sure if the chicken is still safe.  If you've exceeded the 2 days, it's best to throw the chicken out.

Is it safe to serve cooked beef and chicken on the same platter?

Hopefully you used a meat thermometer to ensure the beef was cooked to 71º C and the chicken to
74º C. (higher temperatures if you used ground chicken 80º C).  If the meats were adequately cooked, there is no food safety concern. However, there may be allergen concerns if you or your family/guests have allergies to either meat or religious reasons.

Hi!  I already marinated some chicken breasts (oil, garlic, spices) and I was wondering if we could re-use the brine again?  If so, how long would it keep in the refrigerator or in the freezer?  Thank you!

It is not recommended to keep used brine to marinate other foods even if that food is the same nature of the original one.  The brine would have been in contact with raw meat leaching harmful bacteria in it and those bacteria would spread to other meats if used again.  That is what we call cross-contamination and it should be avoid by any means.  Once used, throw it out and prepare fresh one all the time. 

how long can I store cooked ground beef in a closed plastic container in the refrigerator

Cooked ground beef may be stored in the refrigerator for 3 - 4 days.

can i store uncooked cornbread stuffing in the frig two or three days?

Uncooked cornbread stuffing may be stored in the refrigerator for a total of 3 - 4 days.  This time includes any further cooking that may be done.

After opening a bottle of marinade how long will the unused portion keep in the fridge?

How long an opened bottle of marinade can be refrigerated would vary depending on the ingredients. There should be a Best Before Date on the bottle.

I just grilled four chicken breasts and ate one. Is it safe to freeze the other three breasts and if so, for how long?

You can safely freeze meat if it's done within 2 days of cooking.  Chicken can be stored for 6 months but make sure you use freezer paper and plastic wrap or containers suitable for freezing. 

How long can i keep fresh mussels in the refrigerator?

Live mussels may be used within 1 day of purchase.  Store in a clean container loosely covered with a damp towel.

Hi!  In preparation of the meal for  December 24th (in two weeks), I have prepared an old fashioned layered pâté (marinated veal cubes, bison and pork (red wine and beef broth), potatoes and pie paste).  I have marinated the bison and the pork on the second day of their purchase at the butcher shop.  The veal cubes were marinated while they were still frozen (24 hours thaw while marinating).  I put the pâté together after letting the three meat marinated 24 hours.  Without any further cooking, I wrapped the pâté (aluminium paper and plastic film) and put it in the freezer.  Cooking time for the pâté would be 8 hours and 15 minutes.  Now, I am wondering if I should have cooked it before putting it in the freezer.  Is my pâté still good now? 

As long as the meat was marinated in the refrigerator, there should not be any food safety issues. Make sure that you will thaw it in the refrigerator prior to cooking.  However once cooked, the quality may not be what you expected. Freezing will cause the release of excess liquid from the meats. Cooking it first may have produced a better product.

Can I alternate on a same skewer pieces of raw beef and raw chicken and cook them slowly in the oven at low heat?

Yes, it is safe to alternate pieces of raw beef and raw chicken on skewers and cook in the oven at a temperature no lower than 160C/325F.

Can I freeze a salmon mousse that contains cream cheese, yogurt and mayonnaise?

There may be a change in texture as the mayonnaise will separate when thawed and be runny. 

Hi Mrs. Cookwell!  I would like to know the length of time that we can keep a cooked roast beef in the refrigerator.  Thank you!

A cooked roast beef should be kept in the refrigerator for 3 -4 days only.

I took steak out of freezer and cannot use them until 25th December can I marinate and leave in fridge in sealed container until then

Once thawed, steak should be cooked within 2 -3 days.  The marinade and sealed container do not extend this shelf life. 

How many times can we reuse a plastic container such as a container of margarine or yogurt to keep food in the freezer?

These plastic containers are actually intended for a single use. But if the plastic is not damaged and they are clean, they can be filled with cold food for freezing several times. However, if the contents are to be heated in the microwave, transfer them to a microwaveable container.

Can I freeze marinated raw salmon? If yes, how long can I keep it in the freezer?

Marinated raw salmon can be frozen for two months. But because of the marinade, there may be some loss of quality.

I bought some mussels, I wasn't planning on eating them right away, so I froze them uncooked. Are they still okay?

Mussels should be cooked and then frozen so you can tell which are dead and which are still alive.  The alive ones will have opened on cooking.  Clean the mussels first, throw out any shells that are already open, cook and then immediately cool and freeze. 

Hi!  I would like to know if we can freeze a package of grounded beef made of a mixture of fresh meat and previously frozen meat?

Yes, provided you properly thawed the frozen meat in the refrigerator and immediately refreeze it.  Do not refreeze again. 

Hi!  How long can we consume fresh grounded beef for cooking kept in the refrigerator.  Thank you for your answer.

Fresh grounded meat should be cooked within one to two days after purchasing as it is a highly perishable food commodity.

Last night I made a marinade of oil, sherry, ginger and soy sauce and marinated chicken breast, there was some marinade left in the bowl from the raw chicken and I poured it over raw salmon which is now marinating in the refrigerator. I plan to cook the salmon tonight but have a feeling that I should throw the salmon out. Should I or if I cook the salmon properly, It will be ok?

If the salmon is properly cooked as you said (70 degrees C (158 degrees F) for over a minute), it will be safe to eat as long as the chicken breasts were marinated in the refrigerator as well.  Do not use that marinade any further.  Any leftover marinade should be thrown out. 

How long can you keep cooked ground beef in the refrigerator?

Cooked ground beef may be stored in the refrigerator for 2 - 3 days.

Can you cook pork and steak in a slow cooker together?

Yes.  Be sure to cut both meats into uniform size pieces to ensure even cooking.

Is it ok to take frozen chicken breasts and thaw them so that I can prepare them for future cooking and then refreeze the prepared uncooked meal?

Thawing and refreezing uncooked meat and poultry is not recommended as you increase your risk of bacterial contamination when the meat and poultry goes through several temperature changes. Cooking your prepared chicken meal and then freezing is the safest route to go.

Hi Mrs. Cookwell!  Can we freeze cooked grounded meat in a bolognese sauce knowing that the meat was frozen while it was raw?

Absolutely, once the meat is cooked, it can be frozen without any problem as long as the frozen raw mmeat was thawed in the refrigerator and cooked thoroughly.

Will salmon steak still be safe to eat if left in the refrigerator in a marinade for 3 days before cooking it?

Yes, salmon steaks that have been refrigerated in a marinade for three days would be safe to cook, but the texture of the fish may be quite soft.  

After a package of hot dogs has been opened, how long will it stay good for in the fridge?

An opened package of hot dogs may be refrigerated for one week.

How long can I keep cooked mussels in the fridge?

Cooked mussels can be refrigerated for one to two days.

My mussels have been in hte refrigerator for the last 6 days.  Some are opened and others are closed.  Would they still be good once cooked?  This is urgent!

Mussels and other shellfish are highly perishable.  They should only be kept in the refrigerator for 3 days maximum.  The open ones should be discarded as they should only open after they are cooked to indicate freshness.

Can we reduce the taste of salt in a ratatouille dish that is too salty?

Try adding some sugar, it will reduce saltiness.  You could also try adding quartered raw potato and cooking it.  You may want to remove the potato after. The potato should absorb some of the salt.   You could also add more of the original ingredients EXCEPT the salt.

I was given frozen mussels and kept them in my freezer for about 1 month.  Are they safe to eat?  If yes, how do I cook them?  Urgent, thank you.

The mussels may be kept frozen for 3 months.  They can be sauted on your stove in wine, butter and garlic.  Throw out any shells that do not open, and check the Internet for additional recipes.

How long does an opened can of salmon stay good in the fridge?

Leftover canned salmon should be used within two days.  However, you should always remove the contents from the can and store in a food safe container.

Is it safe to use tins of food once the expiry date is up?. I have tins put away that have been there for a few years, some have no dates on them. Are they safe to use if the tins look all right?

For best quality, canned goods should be stored in a clean, dry, cool place. The maximum recommended storage for canned goods which are high in acid is 12 to 18 months. This includes tomato products, fruits, sauerkraut. The maximum recommended storage time for low acid canned goods is two to five years. This includes canned meat and poultry, soups, most vegetables.  It is not recommended to use canned goods after the  recommended  time.                                                                                                                                           

How long can I store marinated meats in the freezer.

Marinating does not extend the length of time meat can be stored in the freezer. Beef steaks and roasts an be stored for 10 -12 months. Pork and lamb chops and roasts can be stored in the freezer for 8-12 months.

How long should I wait to cook a steak after I remove it from the refrig?

The safest way to cook steak is right from the fridge.

I purchased ground beef, ground pork, and sausage from the refrigerator section of a shoppping market. When I got home, I froze the packages until ready to use about two weeks later. With these, I made meatballs and sausage for gravy. Since I had leftovers, I decided to freeze them. Is it okay to refreeze the cooked meatballs and sausage?

If you have thawed the meat in the refrigerator and they were all well cooked, it is ok to freeze the left-over.  Since ground meat and sausage are already a high risk product, avoid thawing and refreezing repeteadly because it increases the risk for harmful bacteria to multiply. There would also be loss of quality. To avoid this cycle, package in single use containers.  

I am wondering if for meat loaves made of beef, pork and veal, when they are cooked, they can be kept in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days as we do for the cooked ground beef?  Thank you!

Cooked meat loaves made of beef, pork and veal can be refrigerated 3 to 4 days or frozen for 2 to 3 months.

My mother-in-law keeps raw meat in oil for several days; telling me that there is nothing to worry about.  Can you tell me how many days the meat would keep itself that way?

Raw meat, even that in oil, should be kept refrigerated.Roasts can be refrigerated 3 to 4 days, chops and steaks 2 to 3 days. Ground meats may be refrigerated 1 to 2 days.

I purchased a five pound bag of mussels and I don't want to cook them can I just freeze them in the same bag I purchased them in without opening the bag at all. I don't want to touch them. I need to know now please respond quickly. Thank you for help!

Yes, fresh mussels in the shell can be frozen but they should be blanched first, get rid of the ones that stay open and then boil in water for 20 seconds. Drain and package for the freezer. 

How long can we keep raw beef in the refrigerator?

Raw beef meat can be kept in the refrigerator for 2 to 4 days.  However, grounded beef should be used within 2 days or purchase.

I bought raw salmon on Thursday and I would like to eat sushi Friday night.  Is it dangerous?  If so, would it be better if I marinate the fish in lemon and soya sauce?

As long as you bought your salmon from a reliable source and that you kept it refrigerated at all time, it should be safe to use for the friday night as is or with lemon and soya sauce.

Can beef or venison be frozen whole or quartered when freshly butchered and then be dethawed later for further processing into meal sized portions which would be refrozen uncooked? If so, under what conditions can this be done safely? Thanks.

It will be better to freeze beef and venison after it has been butchered and cut into meal size portions.   It is not recommended to freeze meat again after it has completely thawed for safety and quality reasons unless the meat has been accidently thawed and still have crystals present.  So the carcass, would have to be cut in portion size before freezing those portions. 

I have heard that the best steaks (beef or venison) come from a famed "21 day" aging process, which I do not quite understand. My butcher says this method causes the "natural enzymes to break down the meat, thereby tenderizing it to juicy perfection." Could you please explain this process and how can it be done safely at home if a person is able to aquire a 1/2 beef or whole deer. Thanks.

The aging process has to be done under controlled atmospheric conditions of temperature, moisture and sanitation.  This process would be hard to do at home unless you are well equipped to do it.  While the meat is hanging to age, you need to have mechanism in place to control bacterial growth.  Peeling and carving the carcass of an animal are critical steps to avoid contaminating the meat.  Your butcher is right, the aging process involved complex actions of enzymes that relaxes muscles and reverse the effect of "rigor mortis" , an after death phenomenon with the accumulation of lactic acid in the muscles. 

I would like to know how long can I keep a cooked prok roast in the refrigerator?  Thank you!

Cooked pork roast would keep for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator.

Hi!  How long can I keep grounded beef bought at a butcher shop before cooking it?  Thanks!

Grounded beef purchased at the butcher shop will keep in the refrigerator for one to two days.

I have had some steak marinating in Italian dressing in the frig for almost a week. Would they still be ok to eat?

Steak will kee in the refrigerator for 4 days.  Marinating the meat does not extend teh shelf-life of the meat.

I just found 2 pounds of skinless bonelsess chicken breast in my freezer. It has been there for 8 months. Is it still safe to eat? Thank you so much for your answer.

Chicken breasts will be safe to eat.  They might be some freezer burns dépending of the way they were wrapped but other then that they should be fine.  Make sure that you thaw them in the refrigerator. 

I just marinted pork tri tip that has been in the refrigerator for 4 days. Can I safely wait 2 more days before roasting it for pulled pork? Will roast for at least 4 hrs.

Pork can be stored for up to 4 days in the refrigerator and the marinate will not extend the shelf life of the meat.

i bought frozen chicken breast and they are very salty what can i do with the rest of the frozen chicken to get the salt taste out

Thawing the chicken in the refrigerator might help a little bit to drain some of the salt out of the breasts.  The meat should be used in a casserole where other ingredients will be low in salt to compensate for the salty breasts.  You may want to find recipes that do not use salt from the internet.

Can I cooked leftover tofu spread that contain mayonnaise?  I would like to mix it to something else.

If the leftovers have been properly handled and refrigerated for a reasonable length of time, it can be used to be mixed with something else.

Can I freeze an opened package of lean ground beef if I put the un-used half in a freezer bag? (I only needed half of it to cook and don't want to just throw away good ground beef.)

If you had the lean ground beef in the refrigerator no longer than two days, it will be safe to freeze the unused portion.

Can I still eat fresh mussels that have been in the fridge for two days?

Fresh mussels can be refrigerated for three days after purchase.  While cleaning them, discard the ones that remain open and cook the other ones.

At a barbeque the marinated tri-tip was left sitting in a container for about three hours in the sun before it was barbequed. Can we still eat it?

The marinated tri-tips has spent too much time under the sun.  Perishable food should be refrigerated within one hour in the summer time from their preparation or their purchase.  It should be discarded.

How long can I store ground chuck in my refrigerator in its vacuum sealed package. I took frozen ground chuck out of the freezer and put in in the refrigerator to thaw. The ground chuck came frozen in a vacuum sealed package. It has been a week since I put the ground chuck in the refrigerator. Is it still safe to cook and eat. I just opened the package and the ground chuck looks fine and smells fine.

Even if the meat has been vaccum packed, it does not extend its shelf life in the refrigerator by that much time.  It is the reason why they were frozen in the first place.  A week in the refrigerator might be too long.  Once the chuck are grounded, bacteria on top get push and mix right into the meat.  Harmful bacteria and toxins they produce do not give the meat a bad smell or a bad look but they can make you very sick.  Regular ground beef would keep in the refrigerator for a day or two.  In your case, it should not be much longer than that; 2 to 4 days tops.

How long can a cooked steak be kept in the fridge? It's been 2 days so far.

Cooked steak will keep in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.

I have raw chicken fillets. Is it safe to stuff them with cooked pate and then roll them in cooked ham?

If you have the intention to cook everything to make sure that the raw fillets will be properly cooked, it will be safe, otherwise no.  I understand that your pate and ham will be cooked but your chicken fillets will need to cook as well at an internal temperature of 74 degrees C (165 degrees F).

How long can I refrigerate raw pork steaks? Thank you!

Raw pork steak can be refrigerated for 2 to 3 days.

I thawed out a Marinated Tri-Tip and placed it in the fridge, I wasn't able to barbeque it until the third day, is that safe?

Your marinated tri-tip if thawed in the refrigerator at all time, should be safe to eat.  Once thawed, your piece of beef shoudl keep for three to four days.  However if the marinated beef was thawed at room temperature before putting it back in the refrigerator, it might not be safe to eat.

I have purchased grounded meat (beef) 3 days ago and I put it in the freezer on the 4th day.  Can we still eat it.

Grounded meat (beef) should be used, frozen within two days of its purchase.  It might be hazardous to eat yours.  Throw it out.

How long can I keep marinated london broil in the freezer and should I use vacuum bags?

Marinated london broil would keep for up to 12 months in the freezer.  Use bags that are fit for freezer and make sure that they are properly sealed.  Vacuum bags might help to diminish ice crystals formation thus less damaging the meat.

Hi, I reheated an old steak that was in my fridge by mistake, (I didn't know it was for the dog) after my husband had eaten the steak he said it tasted funny that's when we realized that it was the one that was about 2 weeks old, will he get food poisoning from this? Is there anything we can do after the fact? Thank you for your time.

There is nothing you can do after the fact except to monitor food poisoning symptoms if they occurred and to be more carefull in the future.  Animal would react the same way as human to food poisoning.  So what should not be serve to a human being, should not be serve to a domestic animal.  The fact that the old steak was previously cooked will most likely help in avoiding food poisonong.  The funny taste could be related to age of the meat, exposure and decaying of the proteins forming the meat.  He could get food poisoning but his chances will diminish as time goes by.

I have bought chicken thighs from the store,then marinated it with red wine/ onions/rosemary/thyme/garlic on same day and put it in the fridge(glass baking dish covered by plastic wrap). something came up and I went out for the weekend(4-5 days in fridge)Can I still sear and bake the chicken ?? thanks in advance Balazs

The fact that the food is marinated does not extent its shelf life.  Chicken parts keep in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days.  It might just be too late for you to proceed with them.

How long can we keep meat in the freezer?  Is it hazardous if we keep it longer than time recommended or is it only the taste that might change.

It is nmot dangerous to keep meat passed its recommended time.  Taste and quality of the meat might change.  In general, meat will keep in the freezer for 9 to 12 months.

A chef told me that it is ok to defrost chicken, pork and meat in standing water (in a sink) at the same time. All 3 items are raw. Isn't this considerered dangerous? Unsafe? ...

The chef that told you that you can thaw chicken, meat and pork in water at the same time might be right.  It would not be dangereous as long as those foods are properly cooked after being thawed in the sink.  As you know, you have to make sure that the meat, pork, chicken are well wrapped so water used to thaw them will not enter in the wrapper and you have to change the water every 45 minutes to allow the meat to thaw.

I purchased some meats at a butcher shop (veal cutlets, rib eyes, turkey brochettes, bourguignon and grounded meat).  I left the whole package at the bottom of the refrigerator for 3 full nights and now, I have doubts about the faith of that meat.  Steaks became darker.  Should I throw everything?  I put everything in the freezer.

Usually, beef and veal meat and poultry (turkey) will keep in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days except the grounded meat where it is recommended to keep it for 1 to 2 days.  Browning of the meat is caused by the oxydation of the blood present in the tissus and does not represent a health hazard.  You did the right think by freezing everything.  There is only the grounded beef that is questionnable for its safety.

I have a recipe to marinate pork fillets.  I have to marinate them for about 24 hours in the refrigerator and then cook the fillets in the oven in this marinade as a sauce.  I was wondering if the fact of using a marinade as a sauce in which raw pork fillets have marinated could be dangerous?

If the marinade is cooked in the oven with the fillets it can be used as a sauce as long as it is properly cooked at the right temperature.  It could not be used as a sauce without cooking it first.  So if the recipe calls for using it as a sauce without be heated before (which I doubt very much), do not do it!  Harmful bacteria could be present and make you sick.

I prepared chicken dinner with stove top stuffing and cream of chicken soup recipe.   I froze the leftovers.  How long do I cook the leftovers and should I thaw the leftovers before I cook them also can leftover mostaccholi be frozen?

Your leftovers should be thawed in the refrigerator at all time.  They should be cooked until they reach an internal temperature of 74 degrees C).  You could always cooked them from their frozen state but it will take longer.  Leftover mostaccholi might not be suitable to freeze due to the nature of the ingredients.

I have prepared to much marinade for the meat that I had.  How long can I keep it or can I freeze it?  Thank you!

If the marinade that you have in surplus has not been in contact with any meat, it should keep in the refrigerator for at least a week.  As for freezing it, it will depend of the ingredients.  It is possible that you can freeze it but you will have to mix it well after it has been thawed in the refrigerator prior to be used.

I had left ground chuck patties, in my car for 4 to 5 hrs, after purchasing them, upon realizing that i had left the meat in car, i grilled them up, are they still good to eat.

No, absolutely not!  The ground meat has been exposed to unrefrigerated temperature for over an hour and even if you grilled them up, they still can make you sick.  The patties should be thrown out.

I bought fresh ground beef and cooked it with mushrooms and peppers and froze it for a spaghetti sauce. I now have made the sauce and have leftovers.  Can I refreeze the ground beef again now that it is in the sauce?

Yes you can freeze the leftovers.  While you prepared the sauce, if you thawed in the refrigerator the cooked grounded beef with mushroons and peppers and the spaghetti sauce has been cooked, you can freeze the leftovers.

How to preserve tomatoes?

Temporarily, the best way to keep tomatoes is at room temperature until they are ripe and then put them in the refrigerator for two to three days.   However, if you want to keep them longer, you will need to prepare them in glass jars with all the bells and whistles required so you would be able to use them later in spaghetti sauce or other dishes or even salsas.  Check the inernet to find proven and safe canning recipes like the following site from Bernardin:
http://www.homecanning.com/can/

I marinated a steak in oil, Worchestershire sauce, and soy sauce for about 45 minutes. Can I then take the marinade, put onions in it and then cook it in the oven? Will that kill the bacteria and such and make it edible?

If you have marinated the steak in the refrigerator for 45 minutes, it will be safe to use the marinate with onions and cook it in the oven.  However, if you have marinated your steak at room temperature, using that marinade could be risky.  It is all a question of temperature for the marinade.  (refrigeration or room temperature?).

Can I freeze bolognese spaghetti knowing that the meat used has been previuosly frozen?  If so, how long would the sauce keep in the freezer?

Yes, you can freeze the bolognese spaghetti after preparing it with meat that has been previously frozen and cooked with the sauce.  It would keep in the freezer for three months.

Hi!  I am wondering if my raw pork chops are still good after five days in the refrigerator?  Thank you!

Raw pork chops will keep in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days.  I think that yours have passed that time.  It could be risky to consume them at this point.

I have just purchased steaks and left them on my counter in the original package for 2-3 hours before refrigerating them. They are now refrigerated and marinating. Are they still ok to eat?

If your steaks were left at room temperature for more than 2 hours, it could be hazardous to cook them and eat them.  two hours is the time needed by a bacteria to recover from an adverse environment (too cold) and start to grow fast.  Usually, the interior of a piece of meat is sterile but the surface could have a lot of bacteria that will grow.

Hi!  I have some spaghetti sauce that I thawed las week.  It as been 7-8 days now and my grand-mother says that it should keep for 10 days.  What do you think?

Spaghetti sauce is essentially made of tomatoes and tomato products that give it a pH quite acid.  That would control the growth of pathogenic bacteria to some extent.  !0 days might be a little bit long.  It would stretch the sauce as someone would say especially if it contains meat.  A maximum of 5 days should be observed.  In this kind of product, mold will grow and spoil the sauce.

I forgot about my cooked grounded meat on the counter in a covered pan for 8 hours.  Do I have to throw it out?

Absolutely!  Throw everything out.  Even cooked it has been at room temperature for more than 2 hours.  This is true too for grounded beef.  It would be dangerous to eat it.

I stuffed a pork loin last night and put in the fridge to cook today, is it safe to cook with the dressing inside the meat overnight.

If the whole pork loin has been refrigerated without delay, it should be safe to cook it the following day. 

How long meat such as roast beef or roast pork would keep in the refrigerator once thawed?  Thank you!

Once thawed, meat such as roast beef or roast pork will keep for 3 to 4 days iin the refrigerator.

I want to boil spare ribs on Thursday and put them in the refrigerator to grill them on Sunday and eat them.  Would they be still good?

Your spare ribs will still be good on Sunday when you will grill them; 3 days after being boiled.

How long can you keep brined chicken safely in the refrigerator without freezing.

Brined chicken will keep safely in the refrigerator for three to four days.

Hi Ms. Cookwell!  I update the meat that I have in the freezer and I came across some deer meat that has been there for the last two years.  It has been frozen in a vacuum pack and everything seems perfect.  Can I eat that meat or would I risk to be sick?  Thank you!

If the meat has been well frozen all that time and will be well cooked, you will not be sick.  It is possible that the quality of the meat might diminish due to the time it has been in the freezer.  It could have dried out or have some freezer burns.

Can we freeze a tomato sauce that was prevouisly in a can?

Yes you can freeze a tomato sauce as you would freeze a spaghetti sauce.   Make sure to thaw it in the refrigerator and mix it well before use. 

I am making scrapple for xmas breakfast, the pork is cooked and shredded then added to the cooked corn meal, my question is can this mixture be frozen.

Yes, once your food is cooked and mixed together it can be frozen.  Just make sure that you will thaw it in the refrigerator once ready to use.

Hi, I had some frozen sausages which I made a bolognese sauce . Can I freeze the sauce I made it?

If the bolognese sauce has been cooked throroughly, it can be frozen after cooking.  Just make sure that you will thaw it in the refrigerator when needed.

Hi!  How long a baked shepherd's pie would keep in the refrigerator.  It has not been frozen before.  Thank you!

Shepherd's pie will keep in the refrigerator for three to four days.

Do we need to refrgerate Ketchup!?

If you want to keep ketchup for a longer time once opened, I would recommend to refrigerate it.




Can't find an answer to your question?