Food from Costco

[BucksFizz]

I find the food from Costco excellent, especially the produce they make in-store, but almost everything says do not freeze.

Is there a legitimate reason for this, or are they just covering themselves, should the food taste worse after being frozen?

When I cook at home, I freeze almost everything, including things like crispy kale or crème fraîche, so I can't see why I can't free a pre-made Burrito or a curry.

I ask because obviously, I can't eat four burritos, two curries, six quesadillas, a family-sized cottage pie, and a 20oz cake all within two days of buying it; try as I might!

[Defcon5]

Some part of it will have previously been frozen and defrosted I think

I agree, everything from that section is great

[Scabutz]

Imagine it must be as Defcon says that it's already been frozen and defrosted once.

If it was a quality issue it might just say quality may degrade being frozen but a firm do not suggests safety reason.

I like the enchiladas and the street tacos. I'm a fat bd though so have no problem packing it away.

[sam.rog]

Ive frozen the cottage pie and not had the sts after. Still tasted nice.
Not tried the others as 4 burito will do me and the misses for two nights.

I have frozen the muffins as well. Not the best. On that basis I haven’t frozen the chocolate cake. If anyone says its ok ill shove 1/2 in the freezer. Micro with some vanilla ice cream, yum yum.

Edited by sam.rog on Friday 29th September 20:19

[Coxey]

Yeah we freeze the cottage pies but end up having burritos 2 days on the trot….

[BucksFizz]

Defcon5 said:

Some part of it will have previously been frozen and defrosted I think

I agree, everything from that section is great

Without sounding naive, how does that work?

My understanding is something can be frozen after being cooked, even if it was frozen before?

[Scabutz]

BucksFizz said:

Defcon5 said:

Some part of it will have previously been frozen and defrosted I think

I agree, everything from that section is great

Without sounding naive, how does that work?

My understanding is something can be frozen after being cooked, even if it was frozen before?

You can freeze meat defrost and cook and then freeze. You can't freeze defrost freeze again without cooking.

Its probably safer and easy to just say you can't freeze this, even though you could cook then freeze it. Safety notices have to be for the lowest common denominator.

[BucksFizz]

Scabutz said:

You can freeze meat defrost and cook and then freeze. You can't freeze defrost freeze again without cooking.

Its probably safer and easy to just say you can't freeze this, even though you could cook then freeze it. Safety notices have to be for the lowest common denominator.

That tallies with my understanding.

So essentially, something that is already cooked and just needs warming up (such as the quesadillas) can be frozen from purchase. The burritos or cottage pies, which are uncooked, can only be frozen if cooked first.

[dapprman]

The pulled beef burritos are one that they do not say you can not freeze and so I do, individually wrapped. I do let them thaw out slowly (20+ hours) in the fridge though before cooking. Really like them but tend to eat them when I'm going to be out for a long time and either need a breakfast which needs to keep me going for a long time, else will be driving too long and skipping lunch. Filling things and all the beans and rice help you stay full for hours.

[Ham_and_Jam]

Scabutz said:

You can freeze meat defrost and cook and then freeze. You can't freeze defrost freeze again without cooking.

That’s not correct.

Providing the meat has been safely defrosted in a controlled way, preferably in a fridge, then it is perfectly safe to refreeze meat.

Thawing and refreezing tends to break down cells in the foods, so can alter the texture, but providing temperature and shelf life considerations are made it should be perfectly safe.