Is It OK to Refreeze Previously Frozen Food?

The only risk you’ll take is ruining the taste and texture of the food.

Here we explain how to safely thaw and refreeze foodsand when it’s best to discard something.

To ensure food remains safe to refreeze, it’s important tothaw it safely.

Instead, thaw foods in the refrigerator.

This takes substantially longer than thawing at room temperature, so it’s best to plan ahead.

Microwave thawing is safe and works well for high-moisture foods like soups and stews.

Skip thawing meat in the microwave, though.

Freezer air can also impart off-tasting flavors.

Meat in plastic-wrapped trays may be frozen as is, but it’s not completely airtight.

For better storage, transfer to freezer bags or use a vacuum sealer.

Repack it airtight and get it back into the freezer within a day.