Frozen meat....how long can i keep it for ??

[nutcracker]

Have 2 trays of frozen stewing steak that I was hoping to bung in the slow cooker tommorow but they BB dates are may and Jan.

Do i have to chuck either then ??

I would use the one from May cos I think it usually says "suitable for freezing and consume within one month" I would throw the Jan away but my Mum would do the smell test!!!

It shouldn't be bad, nutty - not if it's stayed frozen - but may have deteriorated in texture or got a bit of freezer burn (where the surface goes white). It is supposed to be OK to keep whole pieces of meat frozen for at least 3 months, and I have to admit to using it much older than that, but it isn't as nice as fresh.

Worth defrosting and sniffing and poking anyway.

Ok, i'll defrost and sniff then

From a safety point of view it will be fine.

The texture changes after too long in the freezer hence the BB dates. I wouldn't use steak or a joint from January but stewing steak or mince cooked slowly shouldn't be too bad.