Refreezing Thawed Foods

Refreezing may result in a lack of quality.

Vegetables that still have ice crystals may be refrozen, but use them as quickly as possible. You can refreeze plain vegetables (those without sauces) if they haven't been held at room temperature too long. Vegetables can be cooked and refrozen separately or as ingredients in a casserole or other dish.

If you're uncertain about which frozen foods can be refrozen after thawing, here are some guidelines to follow. Remember, though, that while many frozen foods may be refrozen without danger, they may be lacking in some of their original quality.

Meat- do not refreeze meats that have warmed to room temperature and have thawed completely. Red meats that have thawed completely should be cooked immediately. You can refreeze them after cooking. Partially thawed variety meats, sausages and hamburgers should be cooked immediately. If there are still ice crystals in the meat, refreeze it.

Fruits- use completely thawed fruits immediately. Fruit may be refrozen, but some of the quality will be lost.

Prepared Foods- these include meats in cream sauces, frozen dinners, cream pies and leftovers. If these prepared foods thaw completely, cook them immediately or discard them.

Frozen Juices- reconstitute thawed juice according to directions and use it.

Fish- if fish thaws completely, cook it and eat it immediately or throw it out. It can spoil rapidly.

Poultry- if poultry has thawed but is still quite cold to the touch, you can cook and refreeze it. Throw away stuffed poultry that has thawed.

Vegetables- vegetables that still have ice crystals may be refrozen, but use them as quickly as possible. You can refreeze plain vegetables (those without sauces) if they haven't been held at room temperature too long. Vegetables can be cooked and refrozen separately or as ingredients in a casserole or other dish.

Breads cakes- may be refrozen, but they may become dry and the icing may be affected.

Pies—all pies, except for cream pies, can be refrozen. Some weeping and breading of the filling may occur, and the crust may lose texture.

For more information on refreezing thawed foods, contact your local county Extension office.