Cleaning out the freezer. How old is too old?

[greenwart]

Cleaning out the bottom of the freezer. Found a few thing that I could not distinguish what they were and they got trashed. Came across a 3 lb vacuum packed bacon ends and pieces that expired Jan 2018. It looked really good no freezer burn at all. Since I went over to a primarily plant based diet it got neglected. I still use pork fat for my beans and was going to make a pot of black beans just wondered if it was "safe". Lard is the secret ingredient in the best beans and has about a 2 year shelf life. tTo you Vegan's there is no substitute for pork fat, unless it is duck fat.

Bob

[Der Gebirgsjager]

If an item is properly wrapped (I use two layers of plastic wrap and then a freezer bag) it seems to be good indefinitely. I've used items that were 8 years old.

[dverna]

Even meat with a bit of freezer burn can be made into stew.

I use the vacuum pack system and have eaten stuff over 2 years old.

BTW, NEVER through it out. Many dog owners will be grateful for meat,

[Winger Ed.]

If that package is ends & pieces like we have here, its in the refrigerated section,
and the expire or best by date is geared towards that method of storage.

In the freezer, it would be extended way on down the road.
If its always been frozen, I wouldn't have any problem eating it.

[tomme boy]

We have people that will buy old expired meat here. They are using it for dog and cat food. I just give them what I have. Lots of people feed their pets a pure meat diet. Might want to check your local facebook pages if anyone is looking for it.

[Edward]

I vacuum pak and I don"t bother looking at dates anymore as it"s all good if sealed right and with 3 and 1/2 freezers I don"t worry about shortages as long as powder /lead hold out ! Think another 2 life times/

[snowwolfe]

If it looks and smells good, eat it. If it doesn't your pet will love it.

[square butte]

Depends on how hungry you are - We call our freezer the "way back machine" - It's either way in the back, or from way back a long time ago

[Tripplebeards]

I’ve ate deer that’s four years old in my freezer and doesn’t clean you out too bad.lol

[greenwart]

Made some black beans with it and they look great. Got to love the pressure cooker.

[MaryB]

bacon can lose some flavor with long storage but I have eaten 2 year old...

[popper]

I saw Navy steak in 1944 boxes that we got free for liberty parties in the 60s. I'm still around.

[NyFirefighter357]

I just made venison that's been vacuum sealed in the bottom the freezer for 7 years. Made cutlets, tasted like they just came off the deer.

[starbits]

I thawed a package of antelope steaks from 2012 a month or so ago. They were as fresh as the day they were frozen.

[rototerrier]

Just had ground deer from December 2017, tasted great! It was the oldest I had on hand, so i know the rest is good.

[Iowa Fox]

You won't have any problem with that bacon

[Elkins45]

Unless it’s freezer burned it’s good to go. Even if it’s freezer burned that just makes it have a bad taste and texture. I wouldn’t eat freezer burned meat under normal circumstances but in an emergency I absolutely would.

[Tripplebeards]

I pickeled some yellow looking northern pike fillets I had frozen in a solid block of water for five years last summer. They tasted great.

[waksupi]

I don't know how long it was in there, but I found several packages of mastadon in the bottom of the freezer. Tasted okay to me!

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

I don't know how long it was in there, but I found several packages of mastadon in the bottom of the freezer. Tasted okay to me!

I am pretty sure that makes you immune from coronavirus