6 Ways to Properly Store Meat to Keep it Fresh, Can be Practiced During Eid al-Adha

Kapanlagi.com - Soon Muslims will celebrate the feast of Eid al-Adha or commonly known as the Feast of Sacrifice. One of the most distinctive things about this holiday is the slaughtering of sacrificial animals. The distribution of goat and cow meat makes the stockpile of meat at home pile up. The meat must be processed or stored properly. Otherwise, it will quickly spoil. Don't worry, because there are ways to store meat to make it last longer and stay fresh.

One way to keep meat fresh is by storing it in the refrigerator. However, it cannot be stored carelessly. There are several specific things to consider to keep the meat fresh and odorless. By following these methods, meat stored in the refrigerator can stay fresh and last longer.

Here are some ways to store meat to keep it fresh and odorless, summarized from various sources.

1. Don't Wash

Don't wash (credit: pixabay)

When receiving sacrificial meat, never wash it. Although the intention is to clean it, washing the meat will actually make it less fresh. The water used for washing will be absorbed into the meat. As a result, the meat becomes watery and less fresh.

In addition, washing the meat with water will also make the fishy smell stronger. From a health perspective, washing the meat before storing it can also contaminate it with bacteria, causing it to spoil faster.

2. Cut the Meat

How to properly store meat (credit: pixabay)

If you intend to clean the sacrificial meat, it is better to clean it by separating the meat from the fat. Don't forget to clean the knife and cutting board that will be used to cut the meat beforehand.

Cut the meat into several sizes according to your preference. You can also adjust the size of the meat to the type of meat dish you will make.

Cutting the meat not only makes it last longer, but also makes it more convenient for you to process it.

3. Store in an Airtight Container

As mentioned earlier, to make the meat last longer, you should store it in the refrigerator. However, before putting it in the refrigerator, you should pay attention to the type of container that will be used for storage. It is highly not recommended to store it in plastic bags.

Meat that has been cut should be stored in a special container that is airtight. In the refrigerator, cut meat can last up to 12 months. This is different from large-sized meat.

Cutting frozen meat and then storing it back in the refrigerator can decrease the quality of the meat. Therefore, cutting the meat beforehand before storing it in the refrigerator is the right way to make the meat last longer and stay fresh.

4. Do Not Mix Meat and Offal

The next way to keep meat fresh is by separating the meat and offal. When storing it in the refrigerator, the meat and offal must be stored in separate containers. Mixing offal and meat in one container can cause dangerous bacterial contamination to health.

5. Store in Low Temperature Area

Proper way to store meat (credit: pixabay)

Storing meat in the refrigerator will be more optimal if placed in the coldest part. Therefore, the meat must be stored in the freezer and left to freeze. This way, the meat will last longer and not rot. Storing meat in the freezer until frozen also serves to prevent bacterial growth.

6. Tips for Thawing Frozen Meat

In addition to how to store meat, how to thaw frozen meat is also equally important. Do not immediately take out the meat from the refrigerator. It is better to first move the meat from the freezer to a shelf or other area that is not too cold. Because sudden temperature changes, especially at room temperature, can affect the freshness of the meat before processing.

Those are some ways to store meat to keep it fresh longer. You can follow the above methods when Eid al-Adha arrives.

(kpl/psp)