Everything You Need Cook, Prepare, and Store Raw Meat Safely

I am moderately laid-back with two massive exceptions: I depart for the airport approach too early, and I’m actually strict about how I handle raw meat. The previous is as a result of I discovered my lesson the arduous approach by lacking a aircraft (or two). The latter is as a result of I do not wish to expose my family to a foodborne illness. 

I would not start to give you advice on travel, however after greater than a decade working as a meals author, I may also help you construct a system for getting, prepping, and cooking uncooked meat safely. With slightly little bit of preparation earlier than the grocery retailer, the appropriate kitchen instruments, and an organized fridge, you’ll be able to safely enjoy a steak dinner with out the chance of getting sick. 

Your main aim whereas grocery procuring is to get meat safely into your fridge or freezer with out the potential of cross contamination with any of your different meals. Earlier than you head to the shop, seize a reusable procuring bag, like these extra-large options from BeeGreen. Decide a colour that you simply affiliate with meat as a result of that is now the bag you may use each time you purchase ground beef, hen breasts, or pork chops. Place an ice pack that stacks easily within the backside of a bag to assist hold meat chilly (micro organism can start to develop as quickly as meat temperature rises above 40 levels Fahrenheit) till you are residence. You must also convey wipes, like this travel set of Purell antibacterial hand wipes, to wash your palms after touching uncooked meat. 

In case you’re planning on a leisurely procuring journey, purchase every little thing else in your checklist earlier than you seize a package deal of hen thighs to serve with wild rice and grapes. That retains meat from getting heat whilst you roll a cart via the aisles. 

If you get residence, unpack uncooked meat first. As a substitute of inserting steaks or floor turkey immediately in your fridge cabinets, retailer on a rimmed tray to stop juices from leaking onto produce or containers. Cuisinart’s Grilling Prep and Serve Tray is manufactured from silicone, which makes it straightforward to wash within the sink or dishwasher once you’re completed. In case you’re utilizing the freezer, a vacuum sealer just like the Mueller Vacuum Sealer, on sale for $60, may come in useful as you’ll be able to portion out bigger packages of recent meat and freeze steaks individually. After you set away the meat, wash your palms in heat, soapy water earlier than touching the remainder of your groceries. 

It is value investing in a devoted set of kitchen instruments for getting ready meat. Just like the procuring luggage, colour coding will be useful right here. You should buy antibacterial plastic reducing board mats, like this Nicole Home Collection set for below $7, to make use of completely for meat. Or when you go for a plastic or composite reducing board—each are sometimes dishwasher secure—look for one with a juice well, a border with a groove, that may catch runoff earlier than it lands in your counter. 

When you begin cooking, a meat thermometer is key for figuring out when your proteins are completed. The Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC) recommends cooking complete cuts of beef, veal, lamb, and pork till 145 levels Fahrenheit, floor meats to 160 levels Fahrenheit, and poultry , leftovers, and casseroles till 165 levels Fahrenheit. If you wish to keep away from consistently trying up these temperatures, take into account this useful Momo & Nashi Meat Temperature Guide Magnet for below $7, for a fast and cheap reminder in your fridge. 

Ideally, you can carve a roast on a separate reducing board, but when it’s a must to reuse your prep board, be sure you wash it totally in heat, soapy water. Likewise, use new or clear utensils for serving. 

In case you have leftovers out of your steak dinner, get them into an hermetic container just like the Prepworks Deli ProKeeper Food Storage Container (at the moment 36 p.c off) and contained in the fridge inside two hours. In case you’re exterior or in heat climate, pack every little thing up inside an hour. Micro organism can develop rapidly when meat reaches a temperature between 40 and 140 levels Fahrenheit. So that you wish to keep away from letting cooked meals dip into that vary. 

I attempt to eat leftovers in the course of the subsequent day, however reheating a dish inside a couple of days is usually secure so long as you have saved it correctly. Nonetheless uncertain about that chicken parmesan? The CDC has a set of recommendations on how rapidly you must eat uncooked and cooked meals that you simply’re storing within the fridge or freezer.