Last updated on January 12th, 2024 at 09:11 am

Can you dry rub season or marinate frozen meat | Tricks for any meat


Can you dry rub season or marinate frozen meat
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So you’ve purchased a few meat products in bulk from the local butchery or grocery store. How could you resist? After all, the meat was on a special.

In your haste to portion and freeze the meat, you realize that you never marinated or dry rubbed any of the meat portions before freezing.

The question you are pondering is: can frozen meat be marinated or dry rubbed?

It is possible to marinate or season frozen meat. However, there are a few issues with regards to the absorption of the flavor while the meat is still frozen, as well as the meat emitting moisture during the thawing process, which may affect how the marinate or spices adhere to the surface of the meat.

MeatCan you dry rub, season or marinate frozen meatCheat sheet
BeefYesSteaks are best seasoned, larger cuts are better oiled and seasoned with dry rub
PorkYesPork chops are best seasoned, larger cuts are better dry rubbed with mustard mixture
ChickenYesBreast are best marinated, dry rub or season drumsticks, thighs, wings
FishYesMarinate tuna or salmon, dry rub or season leaner fish

I’ve created a complete guide for each meat. Simply click on the beef, pork, chicken, or fish for more details!

Can you dry rub or season frozen meat

Yes, it is possible to dry rub or season frozen meat. Keep in mind, though, that the ice partials on the surface of the meat will prevent the meat from absorbing all of the flavors from the season or dry rub.

In addition, while the meat is thawing, it will naturally release excess water that was accumulated during the freezing process. This will have an adverse affect on the dry rub and the seasoning. Both items may wash off the meat, resulting in near flavorless meat after it has been cooked.

Certain tricks and techniques need to be applied to help the seasoning and/or dry rub adhere better to the meat so that the most flavor can be absorbed into the meat.

ESSENTIAL TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT FOR FREEZING FOOD

Ziplock storage slider bags
Ziploc Gallon Food Storage Slider Bags, Power Shield Technology for More Durability, 26 Count (Pack of 4)
Aluminum pan/containers
55 Pack - Aluminum Pan / Containers with Lids / Foil Containers / Aluminum Pans with Lids / Take Out Containers / Disposable Pans / Aluminum Foil Food Containers / Freezer meals containers (2.25 LB)
Vacuum sealer machine
Vacuum Sealer Machine By Mueller | Automatic Vacuum Air Sealing System For Food Preservation w/Starter Kit | Compact Design | Lab Tested | Dry & Moist Food Modes | Led Indicator Lights
White freezer paper
White Freezer Paper Dispenser Box (17.25 Inch x 175 Feet Roll) - Poly Coated Moisture Resistant Wrap with Matte Side for Freezing Meats, Protects Against Freezer Burn
Plastic storage containers
fullstar 50 PCS Plastic Food Storage Containers with Lids (24 Containers & 24 Lids), Leakproof BPA-Free Containers for Kitchen Organization, Meal Prep, Reusable Lunch Container - (Pack of 50)
Removable freezer labels
300pcs Removable Freezer Labels, Yoget 1 x 3 Inch Food Storage Stickers, Refrigerator Freezer Paper Label Easy Clean Leaves No Residue, 2 Color Food Labels Roll

Most versatile freezing bag, perfect for storing fresh food items like fruits, vegetables, meat, soups,

Must have for microwave and oven dinners
- pasta, lasagna
- casserole
- meatloaf

Best for keeping food fresh for longer
- meat
- vegetables
- fruit

Perfect for wraping meat
- steaks
- small and large meat cuts
- also great for bbq and grill

Best for freezing
- grains
- soups
- vegetables
- fruit

Must have reminder for freezing item - write best before date and content

Ziplock storage slider bags
Ziploc Gallon Food Storage Slider Bags, Power Shield Technology for More Durability, 26 Count (Pack of 4)

Most versatile freezing bag, perfect for storing fresh food items like fruits, vegetables, meat, soups,

Aluminum pan/containers
55 Pack - Aluminum Pan / Containers with Lids / Foil Containers / Aluminum Pans with Lids / Take Out Containers / Disposable Pans / Aluminum Foil Food Containers / Freezer meals containers (2.25 LB)

Must have for microwave and oven dinners
- pasta, lasagna
- casserole
- meatloaf

Vacuum sealer machine
Vacuum Sealer Machine By Mueller | Automatic Vacuum Air Sealing System For Food Preservation w/Starter Kit | Compact Design | Lab Tested | Dry & Moist Food Modes | Led Indicator Lights

Best for keeping food fresh for longer
- meat
- vegetables
- fruit

White freezer paper
White Freezer Paper Dispenser Box (17.25 Inch x 175 Feet Roll) - Poly Coated Moisture Resistant Wrap with Matte Side for Freezing Meats, Protects Against Freezer Burn

Perfect for wraping meat
- steaks
- small and large meat cuts
- also great for bbq and grill

Plastic storage containers
fullstar 50 PCS Plastic Food Storage Containers with Lids (24 Containers & 24 Lids), Leakproof BPA-Free Containers for Kitchen Organization, Meal Prep, Reusable Lunch Container - (Pack of 50)

Best for freezing
- grains
- soups
- vegetables
- fruit

Removable freezer labels
300pcs Removable Freezer Labels, Yoget 1 x 3 Inch Food Storage Stickers, Refrigerator Freezer Paper Label Easy Clean Leaves No Residue, 2 Color Food Labels Roll

Must have reminder for freezing item - write best before date and content

Last update on 2024-02-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

How do you dry rub or season frozen meat

Before considering how to dry rub or season frozen meat, consider which cooking method will be employed to cook the meat as this will also have an affect on how successfully the flavors are absorbed into the meat.

Many meat products, depending on the size and cooking method, can be cooked from frozen. This means that the long and arduous thawing process is technically avoided. Although the meat still thaws as it cooks. 

The meat may cook for an extended period of time to make up for the thawing process. But, excess water from the thawing process will not wash the dry rub away as it is expelled from the meat if the meat is cooked from frozen.

So, for example, let’s say that you take beef steaks or frozen pork chops out of the freezer and plan to dry rub and cook them immediately, without thawing first. Chances are that there will be more flavor in the meat than allowing the product to defrost in the spice mix, first.

Here are a few ways to make sure that the dry rub adheres to the frozen meat before cooking.

  1. Run the frozen meat products under room temperature water to remove excess ice particles. This will help the spices to better adhere to the surface of the meat. Before rubbing the spice mix over the meat, ensure that the meat is patted dry using a paper towel. There should still be a sufficient amount of moisture to help adhere the spices to the surface of the meat. It would be best to cook the meat immediately after applying the spices.
  2. You could also run the meat under tap water for about a minute, pat the meat dry, and rub mustard over the meat before applying the spices. 
  3. Another technique would be to add a high smoke point oil, such as canola or peanut oil to the rub, in order to form a paste. This paste should also adhere much better to the frozen meat. I would advise cooking the meat immediately.
  4. Alternatively, you could cook the meat for about 20 minutes, depending on the size and cut of the meat, to defrost the surface layer of the meat. Then remove the meat from the oven and add the dry rub or spice mix to the meat. Be careful as the meat will be very hot. The seared top layer will help adhere the spices to the surface of the meat. As it continues to cook with the layer of spice mix, the spice mix will start to absorb into the meat.

Can you marinate frozen meat directly from the freezer

Yes, you can put frozen meat in a marinate and allow it to defrost in the marinate. But, whether the flavors are drawn into the meat is a different story. While it is completely safe to marinate frozen meat, the frost on the surface of the meat will prevent the flavors from absorbing into the meat like they would if you would marinate fresh meat.

In addition, while the meat is defrosting, it is expelling additional moisture which may cause the marinate to wash off the meat. This can be avoided by adding more marinate to the meat as it defrosts and during the last stage of defrosting, the meat may start to absorb the flavors of the marinate.

So, while it is possible, there may still be a lack of flavor, as when the meat was allowed to defrost first before adding the marinate.

How do you marinate frozen meat

You can remove the frozen meat from its package and lay it in a container with marinate. Place the meat in the refrigerator over night and allow the meat to defrost. Keep in mind that the marinate mixture will become very watery and the marinate may not adhere to the meat that well as a result.

Keep adding more marinate to the container and keep mixing it through to ensure that the mixture doesn’t become too watery as it is defrosting.

Does marinating, dry rubbing, or seasoning frozen meat affect the taste

Basically, if you use the correct method of marinating, dry rubbing, or seasoning frozen meat, then the flavors will have the opportunity to draw into the meat. This will give the meat a sufficient amount of taste and flavor.

However, if the incorrect method is used, then there will be very little, if any, absorption of flavor into the meat. The meat will taste flavorless and bland.

If the correct method is used, such as first running the meat under room temperature tap water, before applying a dry rub, seasoning, or marinate, then there should be enough flavor in the meat after cooking it. 

Furthermore, it may be best to cook the meat in its frozen state in order to lock in the flavors of the marinate, dry rub, or seasoning. Apart from the slight change in taste, there is little else that changes as a result of adding marinate/dry rub to frozen meat.

Game meats such as venison, also benefit from a dry rub to help mask the gamey taste. However, adding dry rub to frozen venison may not be ideal and the meat may need to be defrosted, at least partially, first.

Is it better to defrost meat before dry rubbing, seasoning, or marinating meat

Ideally, if you want the spices and/or marinates to adhere better to the surface of the meat and draw flavor from the spices/marinates into the meat, it would be best to defrost the meat first. You could also do a partial defrost before applying the spices.

This can be achieved by running frozen meat under room temperature tap water or cooking the meat for a few minutes before applying the spices. Both of these techniques will partially defrost the surface layer of the meat. 

Delicate types of meat such as fish will benefit more if it is dry rubbed after being partially or completely defrosted.

Chicken, turkey, and other poultry meat can be marinated or dry rubbed and will draw the most amount of flavor from the spices or dry rub if it has been partially or completely defrosted first. In fact, a 2017 study revealed that marinates are much better absorbed in defrosted poultry than in fresh poultry.

Conclusion

It may be possible to marinate and/or dry rub frozen meat products, but it won’t necessarily offer the most flavor or allow the meat to draw in a lot of flavor. There are some methods that will help frozen meat to absorb flavors from spices and marinates and will help the spices/marinates to adhere better to the surface of the meat.

 

Rok

I am a kind of person that would sneak a taste out of grandma’s pot when I was barely tall enough to reach it. I grew up in kitchens full of love and liveliness and have spent my whole live learning, experimenting and succeeding in the art of cooking. At Pro Family Chef, every day is an opportunity for a new meal and a brand new flavor. I created this website to connect people that love to cook, with the products designed to make their cooking easier, hassle-free and rewarding every time.

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