At Silver Fern Farms, we are committed to providing you with the highest quality red meat. Ensuring your meat stays fresh and delicious from our farms to your table requires some important steps for receiving, storing, and defrosting your frozen meat. Follow our tips below to ensure you have the best quality eating experience.
Receiving Your Delivery
• Prompt Retrieval: Once your order arrives, it’s crucial to retrieve it as soon as possible. We pack your shipment with enough dry ice to keep it cold based on the shipping time. To maintain optimal quality, the package should not remain outside or unrefrigerated for longer than 2-4 hours after delivery. When retrieved within this time window, your meat should be refrigerator cold—below 40°F as measured with a food thermometer.
• Safety First: If your order is still partially frozen or very cold to the touch, like you’ve just taken it out of the refrigerator, it is safe to re-freeze. This ensures that the quality and safety of the meat are maintained until you're ready to enjoy it.
Storing Your Meat
• Freezer Storage: For long-term storage, put your meat into the freezer as soon as you receive it. Properly freezing your meat will preserve its flavor and texture until you’re ready to cook it. Ensure your freezer is set to 0°F or lower to keep your meat in peak condition.
• Refrigerator Storage: If you plan to cook your meat within a few days, you can store it in the refrigerator. Keep the meat in its original packaging and place it on a plate to catch any drips. Use the meat within two to three days to ensure freshness and quality.
Thawing Your Meat
• Refrigerator Thawing: Thawing your red meat in the refrigerator is the key to a quality eating experience. Slow, controlled thawing minimizes moisture loss and preserves the texture and flavor of the meat, ensuring a tender and juicy result every time. This method also prevents the growth of harmful bacteria, making it the safest option.
• Cold Water Thawing: If you’re short on time, defrosting in cold water is the next best option. Place the meat in a leak-proof plastic bag and submerge it in cold water. Be sure to change the water every 30 minutes to keep it cold. This method speeds up the thawing process while still maintaining safety and quality.
• Avoid Room Temperature Thawing: Steer clear of thawing meat at room temperature. This can promote bacterial growth and result in an unevenly thawed product. Always opt for a defrosting method that reflects the quality of your chosen cut.
Ready to Cook: Make sure your meat is fully defrosted before placing it on the grill or in the oven. Thawing meat thoroughly guarantees even cooking, avoiding any unpleasant over or underdone areas. Once thawed, if the product is kept refrigerated it should be used within two to three days; otherwise, it should be consumed on the day of thawing.
By following these tips, you can ensure that your Silver Fern Farms meat maintains its exceptional quality from the moment it arrives at your door to the time it is served up on your plate. Properly receiving, storing, and thawing your meat are essential steps in preserving the premium flavor and quality that we pride ourselves on delivering. Enjoy your meal!
For more tips and delicious recipes, checkout our recipes list.
