How long will vacuum sealed food last in the freezer

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Vacuum sealing is a method of food packaging. It is the process in which a vacuum sealer is used to remove excess air and moisture from the containers that hold shop-bought meat.

This process ensures that the meat stays fresh for longer as the decaying process is slowed down considerably.

The taste of the meat will be preserved for longer. In addition, vacuum sealed meat has a great shelf life, meaning that meat can be purchased in bulk.

According to vacuum packaging companies and the guidelines from USDA and FDA, it is clear that vacuum sealing food can significantly extend the shelf life of your meat. Vacuum sealing food can extend shelf life even two to three times.

Meatconventional stored meat - lasts in the freezervacuum sealed meat - lasts in freezerBeef12 months2 yearsGround beef4 months1 yearBeef hamburger4 months1 yearBeef steak12 months2 yearsPork12 months2 yearsPork tenderloin12 months2 yearsPork chops12 months2 yearsPork loin12 months2 yearsGround pork4 months1 yearHam1 month1-2 monthsBacon1 month2-3 monthsLamb12 months2 yearsLamb ground4 months1 yearSausages1-2 months3-4 monthsFatty fish (Salmon, tuna...)3 months6-9 monthsLean fish (Cod, tilapia...)8 months1,5-2 yearsShrimp6-18 months2 yearsVenison6 months2 yearsChicken parts9 months1,5 yearsChicken whole12 months2 yearsTurkey12 months1,5 yearsButter6-12 months2-3 yearsSoft cheese2 months6 monthsHard cheese4-6 months4-8 months

Here are three of the best vacuum sealers based on reviews on Amazon to use when you go about freezing your meat:

If you have been wondering whether a vacuum sealing machine would be of use in your life, here are some benefits to owning a food vacuum sealer:

1. Vacuum Food Sealers Save You Time

Seal family-sized portions of meals or individual portions of snacks or vegetables and freeze. When it’s time to eat, fix the portions you need and you’re done. This is especially useful when cooking sous vide – pop the portions you need into your VacMaster sous vide pot and cook until done. Dinner is served.

2. Vacuum Sealers Save You Money

Buying meats in bulk, dividing into meal-sized portions and sealing allows you to have fresh meat on hand for up to 6 months. This leads to an incredible cost savings over buying your meat from the counter before every meal.

3. Vacuum Sealers Preserve Food
Vacuum sealers preserve food by preventing the growth of mold or bacteria. Vacuum sealing deprives your food of oxygen. Mold and bacteria cannot grow without oxygen.

4. Vacuum Sealing Protects Food
Vacuum sealing protects food from dehydration and freezer burn. Freezer burn occurs when water gets into your food. The vacuum bag keeps your food from contact with the air, so moisture cannot evaporate, making it an excellent barrier from the elements.

5. Vacuum Sealing Extends Shelf Life

The shelf life of your food is greatly extended when you vacuum seal it. Vacuum sealing food preserves it 3 to 5 times longer than food stored in plastic containers or bags. The exact amount of time food will last in vacuum sealing varies depending on whether you are storing in the refrigerator, freezer or pantry.

6. Food Lasts Longer

Frozen food that is vacuum sealed lasts an average of 2-3 years, while it will last 6-12 months, on average, stored in other ways. Most vacuum sealed foods will last in the refrigerator for 1-2 weeks, which is much longer than the typical 1-3 days food will last when stored conventionally in a refrigerator.

7. Efficient Food Organization

Vacuum sealing makes for efficient, organized packaging. Vacuum sealed food takes up less room in your refrigerator or freezer and allows you to easily see the foods you are storing.

8. No Freezer Burn With Chamber Vacuum Sealers

Vacuum sealing provides food an air-tight environment, preventing the crystals that cause freezer burn from forming on your food. Vacuum sealing keeps the moisture in your food for an extended period of time, allowing you to enjoy food that tastes fresh months after you have stored it.

9. Vacuum Sealed Food Tastes Better

Vacuum sealing holds in the moisture, juices, and flavor of the food. You’ll notice the difference in taste.

10. Vacuum Sealed Keeps Food Safe

Vacuum sealing removes most of the oxygen, preventing chemical reactions triggered by oxygen that cause food to spoil. It also prevents bacteria buildup that can spoilage in foods.

11. Vacuum Sealed Keeps Food Fresh

Vacuum sealing not only keeps food from spoiling, it keeps fats in the food from going rancid, keeps foods from changing color as they often do in the freezer, and prevents them from getting a slimy film or bad odor.

12. Store Liquids Easy Vacuum Sealed

Place the liquid in the freezer for a couple hours to harden it a little. Then place the partially frozen liquid into a sealing bag, leaving room at the top for sealing. You can also seal liquids inside a jar and vacuum seal the jar.

13. Vacuum Seal Leftovers

Vacuum seal any leftover food from your meal right away. This eliminates you having to throw out the food and gives you another easy meal for the future. Freeze the leftover portions and they will last for months – keeping you from having to eat the same meal three nights in a row. Pull it out a few weeks later for a meal that tastes fresh.

14. Reseal chips

A vacuum food sealer is handy for resealing chips, just remember not to use the vacuum suction or you will crush the contents. Allow several inches of open space at the top of the bag, press the seal button and insert the bag (ensuring the top is in straight) in the sealer.

15. Vacuum Seal Trail Mix and Snacks

Separate snacks or trail mix into individual portions and seal. This makes it easy to take snack-sized servings with you when on the go – keep them in your purse, backpack, or lunch box for a readily available energy boost.

Tip: so that you get the most out of your food’s freshness, write the date on the bag after you vacuum seal it. You can keep track of when it was stored and by when it should be used or eaten.

To further extend the life of your food, thoroughly clean it before storing. Also, between packaging wipe down any surfaces used to prevent cross contamination. VacMaster offers vacuum sealing machines and pouches to get you organized while preserving your food.

How long can vacuum sealed meat last in the freezer?

Meats, like beef, poultry and fish, generally only stay fresh for about six months when stored in the freezer by conventional methods. Using your vacuum sealer can extend that shelf life to about two to three years.

What foods last longest when vacuum sealed?

What foods can you vacuum seal for long-term storage? Shelf-stable and dry foods such as pasta, cereals, granulated sugar, dehydrated foods, white flour, ground coffee, and grains can be stored for even longer periods of time when vacuum-packed.

Can you put vacuum sealed food in freezer?

Freezing vacuum-sealed food is a great way to save time and money. If put to good use a vacuum food sealer can be a highly beneficial kitchen tool to have. Using a vacuum sealer can generally extend your food's shelf life by 3-5 times.

How long do vacuum sealed vegetables last in the freezer?

Vegetables are also well-suited for freezer storage, but it's important to blanch these foods (briefly cooking the food in boiling water, then placing them under cold running water) before vacuum sealing, as this may further extend the shelf life from eight months to about two to three years.