One of the best things about meal prep services is that you can stock up on recipes in a single purchase. With some subscriptions, you can have meals prepared for an entire month!
But with all the food you have stocked, you might wonder how you can make them last. This way, you can enjoy them in their best quality and reduce the chances of food waste.
Keep reading to learn how to maintain fresh meal delivery kits, even after weeks or months!
If you want to keep your meal kits safe to eat for a long time, the first step is to store them according to your provider’s guidelines. Some recommend putting them in the fridge, but others might require you to freeze them.
Fully prepared meals are made to last long, but other factors may cause it to go bad sooner. Be sure you go through these instructions carefully to prevent any major alterations to your meals.
Food’s shelf life varies based on its condition and how you store it. The same principle applies to meal delivery kits.
Are you leaving it in the pantry or freezing it? Is it fresh or prepackaged? It’s important to identify these to help understand how long they can last and what you can do to extend it.
Here’s a brief look at ingredient shelf life under different circumstances.
Leaving fresh ingredients or meals in the pantry or countertop doesn’t mean they will spoil instantly. They can usually last a few hours, while produce can stand up to a few days.
Most recommend against this for long-term storage due to the chances of quicker spoilage, especially with ingredients that can’t survive at room temperature.
Keeping food in the fridge is one of the most common ways to store ingredients and meals. Doing this can help them last anywhere from a few days to weeks. You should also remember that your refrigerator’s temperature is crucial to get these results.
Produce will be good for up to a week while meat or seafood may only last a day or two unless they’re in a sealed bag. If you have dairy, you can expect them to last a week to two to six months.
Several studies have shown the effectiveness of preserving food by freezing. It mainly happens because freezing can help slow down the process of aging.
Through this, it retains the original quality and taste longer. At most, you can expect food to last anywhere from a month to a year at the right freezer temperature.
Keep in mind that some meals or ingredients may change consistency when frozen and thawed. So, be sure you understand these effects before putting them in the freezer.
According to the USDA, cooked food can last three to four days without spoiling. Refrigerating and freezing are a few ways to slow down the growth of bacteria.
Still, remember that it doesn’t necessarily mean it won’t go bad. You want to consider each ingredient and understand how soon it will take for them to spoil, as well as how much their consistency changes under different temperatures.
Many recommend moving fresh meal delivery kits into airtight containers before refrigerating or freezing. This way, it maintains the condition of the food better. It also helps you preserve your meal if it comes in simple packaging during the initial delivery.
Understanding shelf life and preservation processes is the key to maintaining fresh meal delivery kits. It’s a great way to get the most out of your meals and keep a large stock of them at home without worrying about quality or flavor changes. So, you can be ready for months to come or any surprise guests at home!
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