Refrigerated Beef

[GatorAGR]

I’m planning to make some sausage and have a thawed chuck roast and pork butt in the refrigerator. Been in there for about 6 days. How long is the meat safe to use? Getting very cold here so I may not make the sausage for a couple more days.

 

[SmokinEdge]

If vac sealed I think you are ok. If just wrapped or trayed then you are sitting right on the bubble of time. The bacteria that spoil meat is aerobic so it needs oxygen. Always follow the sniff test.

 

[GatorAGR]

Got it. Not vac sealed. I popped it back in the freezer and I’ll smell it tomorrow when I plan to grind.

 

[GatorAGR]

I’m planning to make some sausage and have a thawed chuck roast and pork butt in the refrigerator. Been in there for about 6 days. How long is the meat safe to use? Getting very cold here so I may not make the sausage for a couple more days.

Think I should do the smell test and get it ground, seasoned with cure and then rest in the refrigerator a couple days OR put back in freezer then mix say tomorrow or Monday?

 

[SmokinEdge]

Think I should do the smell test and get it ground, seasoned with cure and then rest in the refrigerator a couple days OR put back in freezer then mix say tomorrow or Monday?

The salt in the mix will make a huge difference.

 

[GatorAGR]

So you think I’m better off getting it mixed up today and resting in refrigerator for a day or two rather than back in the freezer or no real difference given the salt factor?

 

[SmokinEdge]

So you think I’m better off getting it mixed up today and resting in refrigerator for a day or two rather than back in the freezer or no real difference given the salt factor?

If you grind and mix now, the salt will help extend time and if using cure 1 even more so, but also mixing now and stuffing in a day or two will allow much better flavor profile. Only down side may be that the mix gets a little stiff and dry so you may have to add just a little water and remix in a couple days.

 

[GatorAGR]

Sounds good. I think I’ll bring and mix this evening. Thanks!