The liver is one of the healthiest sources of protein. Fried liver in winters alongside fried onions make a delicious meal. Buying it in large portions and then freezing the unused portion is an excellent way to store it at home. If you have thawed more than you need, you might be thinking about what to do with the unused portion. It might make you wonder, can you refreeze liver?
Refreezing the liver is entirely safe as it freezes perfectly. While refreezing, you can double-wrap it to reduce the risk of freezer burns. Refreezing raw liver in portions will enable you to store it for almost six months or even more. Cooked liver should be consumed fresh as refreezing it isn’t recommended.
Refreezing the liver will help you save the remaining portion from spoiling; however, if you are not careful with the refreezing process, you may end up spoiling it. Carefully following the refreezing instructions will enable you to maximize its shelf life and keep it from going bad. To ensure safe refreezing, you can follow the steps mentioned in this guide.
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Is it Safe to Refreeze Liver?
Refreezing the liver is safe. It is one of those parts of meat that refreeze surprisingly well. However, you need to be aware of a few things to ensure its safe refreezing. The raw liver holds the quality for a long time if you are careful with the refreezing process.
If you choose to refreeze it uncooked, you can enjoy optimum flavor if you use it within four months.
It is suggested not to refreeze the liver stored at room temperature for more than two hours. Keeping it at a temperature greater than 40 F makes it unsafe for refreezing because the bacteria grow extremely fast when the temperature is greater than 40 F.
Double-wrapping it in a freezer-safe bag will increase its shelf life in the freezer. It will also help it stay fresh for a long time.
Refreezing cooked liver is not recommended, as refreezing it after cooking makes the liver stringy and hard.
How to Refreeze Liver?
You can follow the steps given below to ensure safe refreezing of the liver.
- Take the thawed liver, divide and cut it into meal-size portions. Refreezing it in portions will help you only take out the required part and save the remaining portion from getting wasted.
- Put the individual pieces into an aluminium foil or plastic wrap. Just make sure it is wrapped tightly. Tightly sealing the liver will help it retain most of the flavor.
- After that, place the wrapped slices in an airtight, freezer-safe bag or container. Doing so reduces the risk of freezer burns.
- You can label the container as it is a good way to ensure you don’t use liver past the recommended refreezing time.
- Next, place the container in the freezer until the next time you want to cook it.
Is it Safe to Refreeze Thawed Liver?
Refreezing thawed liver is only allowed if you slowly thaw it in a refrigerator. Thawing it in a refrigerator will keep the texture from deteriorating. It will also avoid the formation of bacteria.
If you accidentally thawed too much liver in a refrigerator, it is safe to pop the unused part back into the freezer.
On the other hand, you should avoid refreezing it if it has thawed over the counter, in a microwave, or under cold water. These methods significantly increase the risk of contamination and bacterial growth.
How Long Can You Refreeze Liver?
You can safely refreeze raw liver in the freezer for six months. However, it would be best if you try to consume it within 3-4 months of refreezing to enjoy it to the fullest. Storing it for more than four months increases the risk of freezer burn.
After the 6-month limit has passed, the properly refrozen liver will remain safe for consumption, but the taste and texture will suffer greatly.
The cooked liver can be stored in the freezer for four months. Remember that it might start tasting unpleasant after refreezing, so refreezing it after cooking should be avoided.
After four months have passed, it is advised to discard it as eating it can be dangerous to your health.
Is it Safe to Refreeze Liver More Than Once?
The raw liver that has partially or wholly thawed in a refrigerator can be refrozen many times because it is one of those meats that tolerates refreezing exceptionally well.
In the case of cooked liver, refreezing it more than once should be avoided. Its texture after refreezing once can be pretty unpleasant, so refreezing it twice will only further damage the texture.
To avoid refreezing several times, you can refreeze it in portions.
Doing so will help you quickly take out the needed amount only.
How to Tell if The Liver Has Gone Bad?
You can tell it has gone bad if you observe these signs:
- If you notice the color has become dull, it has most likely spoiled.
- An unpleasant/sour/rotten smell also indicates that the liver is no longer safe for consumption.
- The slimy texture is also a sign that it has spoiled.
If you notice any of these indications, it is best to discard it immediately. Eating liver that has gone bad can cause food poisoning or other illnesses.
Conclusion
If you are careful enough, you can safely refreeze the liver for an indefinite period. Just make sure you follow the refreezing instructions correctly. Thawing also affects how well it refreezes. So, remember to thaw it appropriately in a refrigerator before refreezing.
Properly following the refreezing instructions will enable you to use the refrozen liver safely.
