WHAT IS ‘THINK STEP ZERO’?
Think Step Zero. It’s simple, we want to help people realise that there is perfectly good meat in their freezer that they can defrost when making a meat based recipe!
When making a meal it’s second nature to warm up the oven, we want the same to be true for defrosting meat from the freezer. Rather than starting at step 1, meat based recipes start at step 0.
While meat is the biggest offender, this applies to anything you have frozen, we want people to think about what’s in their freezer on a daily basis before going out and hitting up the shops.
A staggering 300,000 tonnes of meat is wasted annually from UK households. The solution is closer than we think. Our freezers are full of meat that’s perfectly good to eat.
Almost half of people who freeze beef don’t use it.
By increasing our freezing and eating of meat, we could reduce waste by
That’s the CO2 equivalent of planting
We intend to eat the meat in our freezers, but we don’t. We buy fresh and add to the problem.
To break this cycle, we need people to think freezer first at the right moment…
Need some inspiration?
Why not try Chef Dan’s Simple Step To Zero Beef Stroganoff.
FREEZING AND DEFROSTING GUIDANCE
Freezing is a great way to save food you’re not ready to cook. You can freeze food right up to the Use By date either in its original packaging or in an airtight container.
Defrosting
There are two safe and super easy ways to defrost meat:
Microwave
Always check the packaging for microwave defrosting instructions like guidance on turning, stirring, or standing times, for example.
Otherwise, follow these simple steps:
● Remove any packaging.
● Place your meat on a microwave-safe plate and cover it.
● Microwave using the defrost setting or a meat defrosting programme right before cooking.
Make sure your meat/poultry is fully thawed and always cook food that’s been defrosted in the microwave straightaway.
Fridge
a. Double-check that the temperature of your fridge is set to 5℃ or below. (This helps
to keep your meat – and all the food in your fridge – safe and fresher for longer.)
b. Place your meat in an airtight container at the bottom of the fridge, ideally 24 hours before you need it and until it is completely thawed.
c. Always allow enough time for your food to defrost properly to ensure food cooks evenly.
Note: Remember, large items, such as a Christmas turkey, can take up to four days to defrost fully in the fridge!
FAQ’S
Q) How long can food be frozen for?
A) Food in a freezer will not deteriorate and most bacteria cannot grow in it. It is best to use up food in your freezer ideally within 3 to 6 months. Check the packaging for any guidance about how long to store food in the freeze.
Q) Can I refreeze food once cooked?
A) Once food has been defrosted, eat it within 24 hours.
It doesn’t matter if your meat was frozen or fresh before cooking, you can use the leftovers to make a new meal (such as a curry) which can then be frozen again. Only re-heat it once, until piping hot.