Can You Freeze Marinated Meat?

Yes, you can freeze marinated meat, providing the meat is still within its use-by date and has been handled and stored safely.

Whether you have bought meat that is already marinated, or you have marinated it yourself at home, freezing can be a useful way to keep it for another day. The important thing to remember is that marinating meat does not extend its use-by date.

If the meat needs freezing, freeze it before or on the use-by date, not after.

What is a marinade?

A marinade is a coating used on meat to add flavour. It is usually made up of ingredients such as salt, sugar, oil, acids, herbs and spices.

Some marinades are wet and sauce-like, while others are dry. Dry marinades are often called dry rubs, and they are especially popular for BBQ meats, ribs, pork and chicken.

Meat can be marinated for as little as 10 to 15 minutes, although many people leave it for longer. Overnight marinating can be useful for convenience and flavour, but marinades do not usually penetrate very deeply into the meat, so leaving meat in marinade for days on end is not always better.

Can you freeze marinated meat?

The short answer is yes. Marinated meat can be frozen, providing the meat is still within its use-by date and has been stored properly.

This applies whether the meat was bought pre-packed and marinated, or whether you have added the marinade yourself at home.

What you should not do is treat marinade as a way of extending the life of the meat. A marinade adds flavour, but it does not reset the clock on freshness or safety.

Can you freeze meat in a marinade?

Yes, you can freeze meat in a marinade. In fact, freezing meat in its marinade can be useful because the meat is already prepared and ready to cook once defrosted.

Place the marinated meat into a suitable freezer bag or container, remove as much air as possible, label it clearly, and freeze it before or on the use-by date.

For best quality, we recommend using frozen marinated meat within around 3 months. It may remain safe for longer if properly frozen, but the texture and flavour are usually better when used sooner.

How do you defrost marinated meat?

The safest way to defrost marinated meat is in the fridge.

Keep the meat in a sealed container or bag while it defrosts, and place it on a plate or tray to catch any liquid. Once defrosted, cook and eat the meat within 24 hours.

Avoid defrosting raw meat at room temperature. It might seem quicker, but it can allow the outside of the meat to warm up while the centre is still frozen.

Can you refreeze marinated meat?

As a general rule, we would not recommend refreezing raw marinated meat once it has been fully defrosted.

If you have defrosted marinated meat, cook it properly, then cool and store any leftovers safely. Cooked leftovers can then usually be frozen, providing they have been cooled quickly and handled correctly.

If you are unsure whether something has been defrosted, stored or handled safely, it is better not to risk it.

Can you reuse leftover marinade?

No, you should not reuse leftover marinade that has been in contact with raw meat.

Once a marinade has touched raw meat, it can contain bacteria from the meat. Do not pour it over cooked food or use it as a dipping sauce unless it has been boiled thoroughly and handled safely.

If you want extra sauce for serving, the safest option is to keep some marinade separate before it touches the raw meat.

Tips for freezing marinated meat

• Freeze marinated meat before or on the use-by date.
• Use a freezer-safe bag or container.
• Label the pack with the date and type of meat.
• For best quality, use within around 3 months.
• Defrost in the fridge, not on the worktop.
• Once defrosted, cook and eat within 24 hours.
• Do not reuse marinade that has touched raw meat.
• Cook meat thoroughly and check it is piping hot throughout.

FAQs about freezing marinated meat

Does freezing marinated meat ruin it?

No, freezing marinated meat does not usually ruin it, providing it is frozen and defrosted properly. For best quality, use it within around 3 months.

Can you freeze chicken in marinade?

Yes, you can freeze chicken in marinade, providing it is still within its use-by date. Defrost it in the fridge and cook it thoroughly until piping hot throughout.

Can you freeze BBQ marinated meat?

Yes, BBQ marinated meat can be frozen. This can be useful if you want to prepare BBQ meats ahead of time, or if you have bought more than you need.

Can you freeze meat after marinating overnight?

Yes, providing the meat has been kept chilled and is still within its use-by date, you can freeze it after marinating overnight.

How long can marinated meat stay in the freezer?

For best quality, we recommend using marinated meat within around 3 months. It may remain safe for longer if properly frozen, but the flavour and texture are usually better when used sooner.