Lamb chops are popular meat for their tender and juicy meat. Most people will eat them once in a while. If you’ve bought some lamb chops, you may have some leftovers after preparing them. Would freezing lamb chops be one of the options for storage?
So, can you freeze lamb chops? Yes, you can freeze lamb chops, and they freeze very well. You can freeze cooked and uncooked lamb chops. For uncooked lamb chops, avoid leaving them at room temperature for longer than 2 hours. You should freeze them as soon as possible to avoid bacteria growth. Properly stored, lamb chops will last for 9 months in the freezer.
Do Lamb Chop Freeze Well?
Lamb chops freeze extremely well if it’s properly stored. Whether the lamb chop is cooked or uncooked, ensure that it’s well-wrapped before freezing. You can use cling film or aluminum foil to wrap it. Wrapping them will help keep odor contaminating the meat and air from drying it out.
For extra protection, place the lamb chops into a freezer bag and seal them tightly.
As long as the lamb chops are properly stored, they will freeze well.
How To Freeze Lamb Chops
Preparing the lamb chop for freezing is straightforward and doesn’t require a lot of time.
Below are the steps to freezing lamb chops:
Step 1: Prepare the Lamb Chops
There are many ways to prepare lamb chops. You can marinate the meat with herbs and spices, but try to avoid using any sauces.
You can freeze the lamb chops with the bones attached or without the bones.
If you don’t want to freeze the meat with the bones, you can shred the meat off the bones.
For fresh lamb chops, be sure to handle them with caution. Prepare them on a clean surface, and make sure you don’t touch any utensils that will be used on other food.
Step 2: Allow Lamb Chops To Cool
If you are freezing uncooked lamb chop, go to step 3.
After the lamb chop is cooked, allow it to cool down. It’s not a good idea to freeze the meat while it’s still warm. Doing so will cause condensation to form on the storage container. The moisture from the condensation will ruin the flavor and texture of the meat.
Also, avoid leaving the cooked lamb chop at room temperature for longer than 2 hours. Bacteria will start to grow on the meat. It’s best to freeze the lamb chops as soon as it’s cooled down.
Step 3: Wrapping
Once lamb chops are cooled, wrap them in a layer of plastic wrap or aluminum foil. After wrapping it, check to make sure there are no tears on the wrap.
Step 4: Place In Freezer Bags
Once wrapped, place the lamb chop into the freezer bag. You can put multiple wrapped meat in each bag.
Once all the lamb chops are in the bag, press on it to remove any excess air before sealing it.
Step 5: Label and Freeze
With a marker or pen, write the content and date of freezing on the freezer bag. Then place them into the freezer for storage.
How Long Can You Freeze Lamb Chops?
You can freeze lamb chops for up to 9 months. Lamb chops that are uncooked will last much longer than cooked lamb chops.
Cooked lamb chops will usually last for 4-5 months.
Therefore, if you are planning to store meat longer than 5 months, freeze them fresh.
After that time, the quality of the lamb chops will start to deteriorate. As each month passes by, you can expect the quality to decrease even more.
For best quality, try to consume cooked lamb chops within 3 months and uncooked lamb chops within 9 months.
How Do You Defrost Lamb Chops?
The best method to defrost lamb chops is in the fridge. This will allow the meat to thaw with minimal changes to the texture and taste.
Remove the lamb chops from the freezer and place them onto a plate. Keep them wrapped in their package and put them into the fridge. Let it sit overnight to thaw completely.
Avoid thawing them at room temperature. The meat will thaw unevenly and will damage it. The outer part of the lamb chop will thaw while the inside is still frozen. This could lead to bacteria growth on the meat.
Can You Refreeze Lamb Chops?
I don’t recommend refreezing lamb chops. Doing so will cause the meat to lose a lot of moisture. This applies both to cooked and uncooked lamb chops.
To prevent having to refreeze lamb chops, portion them before freezing. You will only need to remove what you need without worrying about having to refreeze any leftovers.
Related Questions
Can you freeze cooked lamb?
Yes, you can freeze cooked lamb. It can either be cooked, steamed, or grilled. Whichever way you cook them, always wrap the lamb in plastic wrap before freezing. Then place them into a freezer bag for extra protection. This way, the air isn’t able to get to the lamb and dry them out.
Can you freeze minted lamb chops?
You can freeze minted lamb chops, and they freeze very well. You can either freeze them raw or cooked. Store them in an airtight container to prevent air from drying out the meat. Properly stored, minted lamb chops will last for up to 3 months in the freezer.