Guide to Storing Meat
Storing Your Lobel's of New York Selections at Home
The way you care for meat at home is as important as the way Lobel's of New York takes care of it before you buy it. It is important to know how to keep meat fresh in your refrigerator and how to store it in the freezer.
Storing Fresh Meat
Your order from Lobel's of New York is vacuum-sealed in air-tight, Cryovac packages so that it can be transported safely. Kept in this package, the meat will stay fresh in your refrigerator for at least one week.
Refrigerate meat you buy from a butcher shop in a loose wrapping, preferably the original butcher shop wrapping. Simply loosen the ends so that the meat can "breathe." Avoid plastic bags or plastic wrap for refrigerator storage.
Storage Time for Freezing
| Type of Meat | Time |
| Beef | Up to 6 months |
| Lamb & Veal | 3–6 months |
| Pork | 2–3 months |
Defrosting Meat
| Cut | Advice |
| Small Chops | Place on the lower rack of the refrigerator in the morning. Two hours before cooking, allow to finish thawing at room temperature. |
| Large Steaks | Place on the lowest rack of the refrigerator the night before. If still frozen, bring to room temperature around noon. |
| Roasts | Allow to rest in the refrigerator for a couple of days. Bring to room temperature the morning of roasting. |
Defrosting Meat in the Microwave
Lobel's of New York does not recommend defrosting meat in the microwave. The microwave often defrosts unevenly, partially cooking the outside while the inside remains frozen. If absolutely necessary, defrost only 75%, then allow the meat to finish thawing at room temperature.
