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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Useless Father Bought Xmas Meat Today (Tues 19th)

238 replies

Smerk · 19/12/2023 19:50

Just want a sanity check here. We're hosting Xmas for 10 adults and 2 small children (as usual). My dad's one contribution to this is ordering the meat from his local butcher for me or him to collect close to Christmas.

After chasing him up for a week asking if he'd managed to order the beef joint and pigs in blankets, he finally confirms today that be has bought it all and it's currently sitting in his fridge.

When I expressed concern that it's not going to last until next Tuesday, he replied:
"The butcher said it'll be fine. The pigs were frozen and my fridge is cold."

I thought that you had 24 hours to eat something that was defrosted. I also thought that meat was good in the fridge for only 3-4 days. I am very concerned that if we wake up on Xmas Day and it's turned, we're absolutely fucked. I'm also worried that we're going to make my elderly in-laws and breastfeeding SIL sick.

We can't refreeze the pigs if they've already been frozen. I don't particularly want to eat a frozen joint, but maybe I should tell him to stick it in his freezer and I'll buy a replacement of everything. Money is not an issue but the waste makes me sick.

AIBU to rebuy all the Christmas meat?

OP posts:
Polis · 19/12/2023 21:39

What a waste.

mathanxiety · 19/12/2023 21:39

You can refreeze the oigs in blankets and also freeze the beef and defrost it on Christmas Eve.

It will all be fine.

MStarG · 19/12/2023 21:40

I bought beef and turkey today with the date of 26th on them and I doubt they'll be as fresh as the butchers. I've put both in the freezer anyway and will defrost them at the weekend so they will last a bit longer.

Original poster
Smerk · 19/12/2023 21:43

How is it a waste if everything gets eaten, just on different days?

It is a waste if the joint turns I suppose, but then that's not really on me.

OP posts:
fallingapart2 · 19/12/2023 21:43

Haven't read the thread. But I'm the daughter of a pair of butchers with a successful business behind them.
Your beef will be perfectly fine, in fact it will probably be more lovely for the fact you had to wait.
Your pigs? They will also be fine. But I would freeze them if you're worried. And just make sure that everything is heated to a higher than recommended temp.

But honestly....you're being silly.

Nearlyfinished2023 · 19/12/2023 21:44

My meat has been in the freezer since Friday … I don’t get the issue.

DrinkFeckArseBrick · 19/12/2023 21:47

Call the butchers and ask them. Remember that they cut it and sell it. Supermarkets cut it, pack it, transport it, stack it, and sell it. So meat from the butchers often has longer in your fridge before it goes off

Chardonnay73 · 19/12/2023 21:51

Wouldn’t be worried about beef in a fridge for a week, probably would err on the side of caution with the pigs seeing as it’s Xmas and you have vulnerable people coming, and would eat them now and buy more. gavel

mrsbyers · 19/12/2023 21:51

The beef I’d say would be ok to freeze now and the pigs should be cooked and then frozen

Derb · 19/12/2023 21:55

Check if it's been spring wrapped. Our butcher does this and keeps fresh for longer

Calypso89 · 19/12/2023 21:55

Calling someone useless is really horrible :(

Doggymummar · 19/12/2023 21:56

Mine arrives tomorrow, what's the big deal?

Eybyegum · 19/12/2023 21:58

I bought our turkey, pigs in blankets and gravy today, all have dates of 26/27th so are in the fridge. The only think I had to freeze was the vegetarian wellington which was 23rd,

Calypso89 · 19/12/2023 21:59

Refreezing meat is no problem at all if it's cooked to the right temperature.

And defrosted meat doesn't affect the taste. If anything it keeps it nice and fresh.

I don't think you have any reason not to use all the meat on Christmas day.

CandyLeBonBon · 19/12/2023 21:59

Perhaps you need a course in food safety op?

CandyLeBonBon · 19/12/2023 22:00

Also, can I just ask opwhat she thinks happens to beef when it's 'aging' for 28 days?

Does she realise it's not in freezer?

puncheur · 19/12/2023 22:00

The beef will have been aging for anything up to 40 days 🤣🤣🤣🤣 Of course a few more days in a fridge aren’t going to hurt it. The pigs in blankets can go in the freezer if it really bothers you (it wouldn’t me).

Original poster
Smerk · 19/12/2023 22:02

I don't think butchers "age" meat by wrapping it in plastic and shoving it in my dad's fridge behind the yoghurt. I bloody hope not anyway.

OP posts:
TreeseletJoy · 19/12/2023 22:03

I bought pigs in M&S with a sell by date of the 27th today, so I’d say that the butcher is probably right. If the pigs haven’t defrosted properly I’d just stick them back in the freezer.

BIossomtoes · 19/12/2023 22:03

WhiskersPete · 19/12/2023 20:02

Beef is actually nicer aged a bit - has more flavour

This. It’ll be fine.

WillowCraft · 19/12/2023 22:06

Just phone the butcher and ask them. I'm sure it will be fine. Sounds like you just want everyone to agree your dad is useless!

Missingmyusername · 19/12/2023 22:08

Our meat is in the fridge. What do you think will happen to it.

CandyLeBonBon · 19/12/2023 22:17

Smerk · 19/12/2023 22:02

I don't think butchers "age" meat by wrapping it in plastic and shoving it in my dad's fridge behind the yoghurt. I bloody hope not anyway.

You clearly have issue with your dad and from your update, your relative seem highly anxious. So what was the purpose of your thread? To vent about your dad? Is that something you'd like to talk about?

ChiefWiggumsBoy · 19/12/2023 22:21

Why wouldn't it all last?

Beef is generally fine - after all, a lot of it is aged for 21 days.

Sausages and bacon always last at least a week in my fridge. In fact looking at the bacon it's got an end date of January.

I've literally just bought all my meat, I will probably stick the pork joint in the freezer as not sure we'll have that for Xmas day but the rest we're keeping in the fridge (not turkey!).