How long can sacrificial meat be preserved in fridge?

ISLAMABAD: A quick glance at Pakistan’s social media these days shows most trending topics related to Eidul Azha, with users sharing pictures of grand feasts adorned with rich and delicious dishes made from meat — curries, barbecues, kebabs, and biryani.

Amidst all this, another important issue many are facing is the storage of a large quantity of sacrificial meat and how to preserve it for longer periods. Consequently, social media users are also sharing their experiences of storing meat in different ways.

However, one question that keeps coming up is: how much meat is healthy to consume, and can frozen meat be as beneficial for health as fresh meat?

According to experts, meat contains iron, vitamin B12, and essential minerals, and is important for human health — but maintaining a balance is crucial.

So, during Eidul Azha, who benefits from eating more meat, and what should people with health conditions eat meat with? Most importantly, what are the basic principles for preserving the nutritional value of frozen meat?

How Much Meat Is Too Much?

Zainab Ghayur, a nutritionist affiliated with Shifa International Hospital Islamabad, says, “On Eid, people tend to consume a large amount of meat in a single day. This can lead to problems, even in people without pre-existing health issues — such as constipation and acidity.”

“Even healthy individuals can face digestive issues if they eat too much meat in one sitting. For people with heart conditions or uric acid problems, excessive meat consumption can lead to health complications.”

She says, “If you don’t have any other health problems, then according to the American health guidelines, you can eat around 8 ounces or roughly a quarter kilogram of red meat per day. However, during Eid, we often consume much more than that in a single day.”

Using Yogurt and Salad to Offset the Effects

Is there a way to minimize the harms of eating too much meat? To this, Zainab Ghayur suggests, “Keep yourself well-hydrated. Drink plenty of water. And whenever you eat meat, make sure to include yogurt and salad, as they contain pre- and probiotics (beneficial bacteria for the digestive system) that help improve digestion.”

She recommends that those fond of eating liver (kaleji) for breakfast should have a bowl of yogurt before the meal.

“Since liver contains high amounts of iron and vitamin A, it’s better to consume some yogurt beforehand to ease digestion.”

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She explains that meat is not easy to digest, and the digestive system must work hard to process it. “It’s best to drink water frequently and use ORS (oral rehydration salts) to maintain electrolyte balance.”

Avoid Tea, Coffee, and Soft Drinks

In Pakistan, anemia (iron deficiency) is a common issue.

Zainab says, “Red meat like mutton and beef is considered a good source of iron and vitamin B12 and can help treat deficiencies. But excessive intake can be harmful.”

“For patients with kidney disease who are not on dialysis, protein intake should be limited. Likewise, for heart patients with abnormal lipid profiles, beef may be harmful.”

Thalassemia patients, who cannot be given iron, should consume tea or coffee with meat to prevent iron absorption, which can otherwise harm them.

Meanwhile, individuals suffering from anemia should consume lemon with meat to enhance iron absorption in the body.

Zainab stresses that these are two distinct cases — some people need to absorb iron, while for others, iron absorption can be harmful.

Many enjoy soft drinks with barbecue and meat. Do these drinks help with hydration?

She responds, “Soft drinks are not a good choice with meat. Instead, lassi or lemon water are better options as they help with iron absorption. Soft drinks are no substitute.”

Difference Between Fresh and Frozen Meat

Many people freeze a portion of sacrificial meat to consume later, but there’s a belief that frozen meat loses its nutritional value.

Zainab clarifies, “If meat is frozen according to guidelines — in single-serving packets and without fluctuations in freezer temperature — there is no difference in nutritional value between fresh and frozen meat.”

“However, if the freezer is opened frequently or power outages occur, the temperature is not stable, and that can cause problems.”

She notes that if large meat chunks are frozen, uneven freezing can occur — some parts freeze quickly, others take longer. If the temperature remains consistent and power is uninterrupted, frozen meat retains the same nutritional value as fresh meat and is safe to eat.

Does Food Stay Safe in the Freezer Indefinitely?

According to BBC Food, freezing food stops bacterial growth. If proper labeling is done before freezing, food waste can be avoided.

Their research shows that food can be frozen indefinitely without spoiling, but items exposed to air may suffer from “freezer burn,” which can degrade fats and affect quality.

Over time, freezing affects the quality, taste, and texture of all food.

BBC Food provides some general guidelines on how long different types of food can be frozen without affecting taste — but external factors can still influence this.

Remember, the faster food freezes, the lower the risk of spoilage.

It’s better to freeze small quantities of meat in thin layers rather than placing large, unfrozen amounts in the freezer at once. Use food-grade plastic bags and flat or vertical packing to speed up the freezing process.

How Long Can Meat Stay Frozen?

According to BBC Food:

Sausages: Can maintain flavor and nutrition for up to 2 months.

Ground meat or small red meat cuts**: Up to 4 months.

Whole chicken, well-wrapped with minimal air exposure: Up to 1 year.

*Roasting joints of lamb or beef: 9 months to 1 year.

Chops and steaks: 6 to 9 months.

Chicken pieces: Also 6 to 9 months.

The key condition is that freezer temperature remains consistent and is not affected by frequent opening or power outages.