Use by dates

[Goodwitch9]

I'm making a casserole for a family member who is unwell. The beef I'm using has a use by date of Wednesday which is the day I will be visiting them. They won't be able to eat it all in one go so what should I do? Does cooking the beef extend it's use by date?

Yes it does. After cooking it will be good for a another few days. They can refrigerate or freeze leftovers

I'd make it, portion it up and freeze it.

When are you making the casserole, how will they reheat, has the meat been frozen?

The basic principles are:

• If the meat is ok at the point you cook it, then normal reheating rules should apply
• Freezing stops things going off, so you could freeze the meat for the next few days (unless the meat has previously been frozen) and then defrost and cook it
• You can freeze a casserole after cooking but only once, so you could cook then freeze til Weds at which point they can only refrigerate or you could cook on Tues/Weds and refrigerate, then they could freeze til needed

Cook it while it's in date, and separate into meal-size dishes that you can chill or freeze individually, so you will not be reheating more than once.

It will be better on the second day anyway.

Fantastic advice, thanks everyone!