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Clarification for freezing ribs

Pepper Monkey BBQ
Pepper Monkey BBQ Posts: 652
edited November -0001 in EggHead Forum
A while back you all gave me good info on cooking then freezing ribs so they are available to be reheated in the future. I'm going to do up some ribs tomorrow and freeze them but I wanted to clarify one thing.

I currently have ribs that are in the freezer ... is it still ok to cook them and freeze again or should this process only be done with fresh meat that hasn't been frozen? Thanks for the info!!!

Joel
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Comments

  • Grandpas Grub
    Grandpas Grub Posts: 14,226
    .

    I am no expert, as long as there is no contamination, once food is cooked, it is a whole new issue and not related to the first freeze or not frozen.



    GG
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  • Seattle Todd
    Seattle Todd Posts: 227
    The problem with re-freezing already cooked food is that it gives bacteria more time to produce during the freezing and thawing periods.

    Freezing doesn't kill all the bacteria so during the thaw stage it can actually have more bacteria than when it was first thawed. Or something along those lines.

    This is what I got from my butcher at least.

    Actually now that I re-read your post I gather you might be talking about doing the following:

    1.) Thaw raw ribs
    2.) Cook same
    3.) Freeze cooked ribs
    4.) Thaw and re-heat
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  • Pepper Monkey BBQ
    Pepper Monkey BBQ Posts: 652
    Yes, that was the thought. Through prior posts on here there seems to be no issue with cooking ribs, freezing the cooked ribs, then re-heating them. What I had never asked was whether or not they had to be fresh ribs or if they could be frozen ribs.

    I know I wouldn't take meat out of the freezer, thaw it then re-freeze it. So I'm wondering if I should be doing that with cooked meat.

    JM
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  • Judy Mayberry
    Judy Mayberry Posts: 2,015
    Hey, I've been doing that for years, with never any negative results. But last time the meat seemed a little drier than it should be, and I'm going to start putting in some liquid in the vacuumed-sealed portions, like I do with pulled pork. Maybe Coke.

    Judy
    San Diego, CA
    Judy in San Diego
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  • Pepper Monkey BBQ
    Pepper Monkey BBQ Posts: 652
    Thanks for the tip Judy ... do you put coke in with your pulled pork before you freeze it or just your regular sauce that you mix with the pork as if it were fresh? Going to have some pulled pork left over after saturday I'm sure!
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  • Seattle Todd
    Seattle Todd Posts: 227
    Yeah from what I've heard there's enough bacterial genocide going on with the thawed ribs during the cooking process to make it OK to re-freeze once they're cooked. :laugh:

    In reality, like a lot of these things, while I wouldn't argue the science I'd wager that folks would actually only get sick a miniscule percentage of the time. I eat raw eggs in aioli and homemade mayo frequently and have for years and never gotten the least bit ill but technically it's possible.
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  • Judy Mayberry
    Judy Mayberry Posts: 2,015
    Last time I used Coke, but you can even use water, I'll bet. Maybe apple juice, or whatever you want. I think you'd have to add too much sauce to keep it moist, or how about sauce thinned out with water?. Why don't you try an experiment and use two or three moisteners (labeled) so you can decide for yourself?

    Judy
    Judy in San Diego
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  • Little Chef
    Little Chef Posts: 4,725
    Joel....There is no problem thawing frozen uncooked ribs, cooking them, and freezing the cooked ribs. Like GG said, once cooked, it is a whole new item. No problem. ;) Just remain aware of your food handling.... chilling them quickly in an unsealed container for instance. Get them chilled as quickly as possible, and always re-heat to 165*.
    Happy eggin!! :laugh:
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  • Smokin' T
    Smokin' T Posts: 259
    Do you have to vacuum seal or, can you use zip lock bags?

    Tom
    Dunedin,Fl
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  • Little Chef
    Little Chef Posts: 4,725
    Tom...It's very difficult to freeze in ziplocks without damaging the meat. Invest in a vac sealer as soon as you can....it will pay for itself very quickly! ;) You can buy meats when on sale, and vac seal for freezing. It will be one of the best investments you've made (since getting your Egg of course!) :whistle:
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  • Pepper Monkey BBQ
    Pepper Monkey BBQ Posts: 652
    You bring up a good point! You couldn't begin to imagine what I've eaten in Iraq and Afghanistan! I never got sick although I thought sure I was going to!
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  • Smokin' T
    Smokin' T Posts: 259
    LC
    Thanks for the good advice, I often wondered about that.

    Tom
    Dunedin,Fl
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  • Car Wash Mike
    Car Wash Mike Posts: 11,244
    If you get things cold enough, they will freeze. :woohoo: :ohmy: Sorry! Those ribs were froze and thawed before you got them. You will be fine.

    Mike
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