What is better than seeing a well-spiced piece of pork sizzling in a pan or on the BBQ? But with today’s busy lifestyle, most people rarely have time to prep food, let alone allow additional time for marinating.
What if there was a faster way to prep that delicious cut of pork and save time in the cooking process?
All cuts of pork can be prepared and frozen by dry rubbing, seasoning, or marinating before freezing. The correct storage method needs to be applied to ensure that the various cuts of pork remain safe to cook and consume after being thawed. Keep in mind that only freezer-safe containers or ziplock bags should be used during freezing.
Can you marinate pork before freezing
Yes. Marinating pork before freezing is a great technique to lock in flavor and moisture. This includes whole cuts of meat such as pork shoulder, ribs, or roast, as well as smaller cuts such as pork chops.
Pork products should always be marinated in the refrigerator. Never marinate pork or any other type of meat at room temperature as this may cause harmful bacteria to form on the food.
The food danger zone is the temperature at which food is exposed that allows bacteria to form in the food. The danger zone sits between 40 °F and 140 °F (4 °C – 60 °C).
In essence, you should be preparing at least half a cup of marinade for every pound of meat you will be marinating.
Always ensure that the meat is in a covered container in the refrigerator while it is marinating.
Never marinate in metal containers as this may react with the acidic component in the marinate and may cause harmful bacteria to form in the meat. The ideal container to marinate pork or any other type of meat product in is a glass container, freezer-safe ziplock bag, or food-grade plastic container.
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Another key point to keep in mind is that you should not be concerned about over-marinating food while it is in the freezer. The freezing process actually halts the marinating process. It is resumed during the thawing process.
How to marinate pork before freezing
Prepare the marinate mix and set it aside. Prepare the fresh pork meat by cutting it into smaller cuts or simply placing larger cuts of meat directly into the marinate mixture. Ensure that all parts of the pork are well covered in the marinated sauce.
Meat products such as pork or beef can be marinated in the refrigerator for up to a maximum time of three to four days before placing the meat in the freezer. Ideally, you will only need about two to five hours depending on how well you would like the flavors to infuse into the meat.
Pork is generally more dense than chicken or seafood. This means that the pork is able to marinate for a longer period of time.
The longer the meat is able to marinate, the more flavor you can expect after cooking.
Can you marinate pork tenderloin before freezing
Yes. As previously mentioned, marinating a fresh piece of pork such as tenderloin is ideal if you are looking to save time during the cooking process. The meat can be prepared in the marinated sauce well in advance and frozen for up to six months.
If you are dealing with a whole tenderloin, it’s better to marinate it in a plastic bag; otherwise, you will need a lot of marinade to cover the entire piece, or you will need to turn it every few hours before freezing.
However, there is one small rule to keep in mind when cooking marinated pork. It should be cooked within 24 hours of thawing. It is best advised to remove as much air from the freezer bag or container as possible.
But, don’t be too concerned about freezer burn as the marinate will actually protect the meat from freezer burn.
When using a marinate before freezing pork, ensure that the marinate has an acidic component. This will help the marinate to fuse better with the meat and ensure optimal flavor.
In addition, always ensure that you use oil with a high smoke point when mixing your marinate. The oil is great at infusing the flavors into the fatty tissue of the meat.
Can you dry rub pork chops before freezing
Yes. Dry rubbing fresh pork will allow the rub to adhere perfectly with the meat.
Simply wrap each individual pork chop in wax paper before placing the portions in a freezer-safe ziplock bag or freezer-safe container. All containers should be labeled and dated appropriately before storing in the freezer.
Can you marinate pork belly before freezing
Yes. This process ensures that the pork is very moist and tender when it is being prepared. It is also perfectly safe to marinate pork before freezing.
Keep in mind that marinate that has come into contact with raw meat should be discarded. If you would like to use the extra marinate, it is best advised to boil the used marinate sauce before using it on the meat during the cooking process.
Can you season or dry rub pork butt before freezing
Yes. using dry rub or seasoning on the pork before freezing will help to infuse the flavors into the meat during the freezing process as well as during the thawing process. This is a great way to lock in moisture and flavor before cooking, as well as to cut down on prep time.
Conclusion
All pork products can be dry rubbed, seasoned, or marinated before freezing. Pork actually benefits from this procedure in that it helps to keep the meat moisturized during the freezing, thawing, and cooking process. Don’t be afraid to try different recipes.
