Meat and other food groups tend to spoil due to the growth of harmful bacteria and molds. If you leave them for longer than their shelf lives, the bacteria or fungi spread on the meat. Consuming rotten meat can result in food poisoning, so you must always make sure the meat you cook is safe to use. If in doubt, don’t eat it.
When storing meat, it is important to be aware of the different shelf lives raw meat has. If you buy tough meat products such as beef, veal, and pork, they will typically last one to two weeks in your fridge.
Fresh poultry such as chicken, duck, and turkey will last about one to two days. Fresh fish on the other hand will spoil after one to two days, and smoked fish can last up to two weeks.
Vacuum sealing makes all types of meat last longer. Most meat products usually last between six to ten days. However, the length of time of is also dependent on a number of other factors, including:
· Meat freshness
· Acidity or pH level
· Fridge temperature
· Marinade ingredients
· Sanitation and cleanliness of the meat
· Lamination used to vacuum seal
In short, then, under the right conditions, meat like beef and veal can last six weeks after vacuum sealing. Pork will last a good two weeks while poultry and fish will remain edible for at least one week.
1. Make sure the meat is dry if you have washed it beforehand. Simply dab it with a paper towel.
2. If the meat has bones, wrap it with protective netting before putting it in. This is important so that the bones do not puncture the bag.
3. Place meat in a vacuum sealer bag but leave space at all four edges.
4. Make sure the packaging is dry on the outside or else the bag will not seal.
5. Place the edge of the bag on the vacuum sealer.
6. Turn on the vacuum sealer.
7. Support the bag with your hand.
8. Press the sealer, but do not rush the procedure and make sure all the air is sealed out. You will see that the plastic bag will shrink with the removal of air.
9. The bag should be completely airtight when it is ready. There should also be no wrinkles or bubbles anywhere as that indicates air.
10. After the bag is sealed, place it in the refrigerator.
11. You can write the seal date on top of the bag so that you can keep track.
