Many people are wondering how to store Wagyu beef properly for future use. Some will even wonder if you can do it on your own. After all, Wagyu is one of the premium and expensive meats you can find in the market. So you want to make sure you do it right to maintain the taste, texture, and tenderness until the day comes when you’re going to eat it.
Whether you’re saving the beef for special occasions or you ordered a large stock for your restaurant and you have to store the meat first before serving, proper storage is crucial. And we’ll help you how to do it.
Read this article about Wagyu beef storage tips to ensure meat quality before cooking and know how to preserve your Wagyu steak correctly.
Basic Rule
One thing you’ll notice when you buy Wagyu beef is that it will likely come vacuum-sealed. This is a common way of packing, and it is the ideal way of storing meat inside your fridge as well. If you’re not going to cook Wagyu beef after purchasing, just place it at the coldest part of the freezer as is and it will remain fresh for up to 1 year.
According to the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture), frozen foods will remain safe indefinitely as long as they are placed properly inside the freezer. But it’s recommended to consume the meat as soon as possible to retain the exquisite taste of the Wagyu beef.
So how to thaw Wagyu? Ideally, you remove the meat inside your freezer and let it thaw inside the refrigerator for 48 hours. This way, the natural juices of the meat will be retained and maintain the flavor of the beef.
Can You Refreeze Wagyu
Refreezing is quite uncommon, even though most meat products have been frozen at least 2 times before reaching the customer’s dinner table.
But if in case you’ve changed your mind after the beef is thawed, you can refreeze Wagyu beef provided that the vacuum seal is not yet tampered. Anything less than that is no longer advisable since the beef is already exposed to the air, which can promote bacterial growth and compromise the quality of the meat.
Indications When The Wagyu Beef Is Already Spoiled
As a general rule, any food, especially if bought frozen, should be consumed at the earliest possible time. However, if you’ve already thawed and refrozen your Wagyu beef, here are some indications that the meat is already spoiled and is no longer edible:
- Slimy Surface
- Off-Putting Smell
- Dryness
- Discoloration
More Tips For Storing Wagyu Beef Correctly
1. If the Wagyu is not vacuum-sealed upon purchase, it’s best to tightly wrap it first in cling film before placing it inside the freezer to prevent the Wagyu beef from oxidizing.
2. Thawing Wagyu beef, or any kind of meat for that matter, should be done inside the fridge. Don’t thaw at room temperature or use a microwave oven as this will ruin the meat’s texture.
3. Once the Wagyu beef is thawed, cook it immediately so the natural fat of the meat will render gently on the pan.