Say for example I had some marinated cooked chicken that I put in the freezer. Would it be safe to defrost this cooked chicken and put it in a sandwich without reheating it through first?
I know it's safe to eat cake out of the freezer, but I was wondering whether meat was different.
Erica
8,3029 gold badges59 silver badges88 bronze badges
asked Feb 26, 2012 at 10:40
1
There is no mention on the fact sheet of needing to recook previously cooked, frozen chicken. However, be mindful of proper defrosting techniques, as not doing so may open the food up to contamination.
answered Feb 26, 2012 at 11:03
mfgmfg
11.7k11 gold badges59 silver badges110 bronze badges
1
Iceland sell frozen pre-cooked chicken drumsticks that you just defrost and eat and do NOT require cooking according to their instructions. They wouldn't be allowed to do that if it wasn't safe.
answered Apr 30, 2013 at 19:36
It's safer than eating cooked meat than has been stored in the refrigerator. More bacteria grows in the refrigerator than the freezer.
answered May 1, 2013 at 13:17
You can eat it without any food safety concern with proper defrosting/thawing of course.
answered Sep 5, 2017 at 17:01
StevenXavierStevenXavier
1,7081 gold badge8 silver badges16 bronze badges
1
I wouldn't. Freezing does not kill everything that lives on food and cooking food to a minimum internal temperature kills most microbes (but not all).
You're better off keeping raw chicken and marinade separate then combining as and when you require it.
Taken from US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service fact sheet:
Is Frozen Food Safe?
...Freezing keeps food safe by slowing the movement of molecules, causing microbes to enter a dormant stage...
...Once thawed, however, these microbes can again become active, multiplying under the right conditions to levels that can lead to foodborne illness.
Taken from FoodSafety.gov Safe Minimum Cooking Temperatures:
Use this chart and a food thermometer to ensure that meat, poultry, seafood, and other cooked foods reach a safe minimum internal temperature.
Poultry: 165F / 74C
answered Feb 26, 2012 at 12:48
1
research shows that it is safe to eat cold chicken if it is cooked and stored in the freezer and then defrosted
answered Mar 22, 2017 at 9:06
1
Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged food-safety freezing or ask your own question.
- Home
- Keep It
or Toss It? - Your Questions
Answered - Shelf Talk
- StillTasty
In the News - About Us
- Search The Site
-
Question: I thawed some frozen chicken pieces for dinner tonight, but I’ve had a change in plans and I’d rather make them tomorrow. How long will the thawed chicken last in the fridge?
Answer: If you thawed the chicken in the refrigerator, you don't have to cook it right away.
Safely keeping thawed chicken in the fridge
Poultry that’s been defrosted in the fridge can be safely kept for an additional one to two days in the refrigerator before cooking, says the U.S. Department of Agriculture. You also can safely refreeze it within that same timeframe.
On the other hand, if you thawed the chicken in the microwave or in cold water, the USDA advises that you cook it immediately.
That’s because with either method, the chicken could have at least temporarily warmed up to a temperature higher than 40°F. At that point, harmful bacteria can begin to multiply rapidly and prompt cooking is required to destroy it.
See Also:
Do You Have to Thaw Frozen Chicken Before Cooking It?
Can You Safely Eat Chicken That's Been Frozen For Two Years?
Is It Necessary to Rinse Raw Chicken Before Cooking It?
About Our Authors
Have a question? Click here
More Questions
- Are Eggs Still Safe After the Expiration Date?
- Is it Safe to Leave Canned Food Leftovers in the Can?
- Is it Safe to Put Hot Food In the Fridge?
- Should You Rinse a Raw Turkey Before Cooking It?
- Is It Safe to Cook Stuffing Inside a Turkey?
- Is it Safe to Refreeze a Thawed Turkey?
- Can You Freeze Cranberry Sauce?
- How Long Can You Leave a Frozen Turkey in the Freezer?
- Can You Cook a Frozen Turkey Without Thawing It First?
- How Long Can You Keep a Thawed Turkey in the Fridge?
- Is Pink Turkey Meat Safe to Eat?
- How Long Can You Keep Peeled Potatoes?
- How Long Can Cooked Turkey Sit Out Before It Becomes Unsafe To Eat?
- How Long Can Raw Chicken Be Left Out Of The Fridge?
- How Long Can You Keep Thawed Shrimp in the Fridge?
- Can You Refreeze Thawed Chicken?
- How Long Can Cooked Hamburgers Be Left Out at Room Temperature?
- Do You Have to Wash Bagged Salad That's Been Prewashed?
- Is it Safe to Eat Canned Food That Has Accidentally Frozen?
- Can You Freeze Pie Crust Before Baking It?
- How Long Can Cooked Chicken Be Left Out at Room Temperature?
- How Long Can You Leave Frozen Chicken in the Freezer?
- How Long Can You Keep Thawed Ground Beef in the Fridge?
- How Long Can Cooked Steak Be Left Out at Room Temperature?
- How Long Can You Leave Marinated Chicken in the Fridge?
- <
- 1
- 2
- 3
- >
Today's Tips
Long-Lasting Produce
Stock up and enjoy
Your Questions Answered
Steak that's changed color