CanIFreezeThis
    Meat & Poultry

    Can You Freeze Lamb Neck?

    Lamb neck will keep happily, box it tight, use it before it fades. Gauge it on looks, defrosted, it turns soft and gelatinous in the pot, made for the slow braises it was born for, lamb neck lasts for 4–12 months. Raw lamb neck is the food the freezer was built for — wrapped tight, it keeps both safety and quality for months losing almost nothing. Reach for thawed lamb neck when you are making stew or braising. Neck slices carry bone and connective tissue that freeze without harm — their whole job is melting into stock anyway.

    Also called: lamb neck slices · scrag end

    Freezes well

    Yes — 4–12 months of freezer life, with one thing to know: thawed, it turns soft and gelatinous in the pot, made for the slow braises it was born for.

    Best method Wrap the lamb neck in {plastic wrap pressed against the…
    Freezer life 4–12 months
    Thawing Place lamb neck in a drawer
    Best uses after thawing Stew, Braising
    Braised Lamb Neck – Scallion Pancakes, Pickled Vegetables
    Siobhan Leachman · Wikimedia Commons
    Step by step

    How to freeze lamb neck

    Wrap the lamb neck in {plastic wrap pressed against the surface|cling film pressed to the surface|plastic pressed close|film pressed against it}, then {a layer of foil or a freezer bag with the air pressed out|foil or a bag squeezed tight|foil or a bag with the air worked out|foil or a bag pressed flat}. Double protection is what keeps lamb neck thawing {bright rather than gray and dry|bright rather than gray|looking fresh rather than gray|its color rather than gray and dry}. Chill lamb neck before the freezer, stow it when cold, set it on a tray.

    Before it goes in

    1. Cool lamb neck quickly, pack it tight, set it on sheets.
    2. Freeze neck pieces flat; the irregular cut fuses if stacked warm.
    3. Stamp it clearly, size it into lots, keep it below 40 °F.
    4. Keep it deep, use it soon, gauge it on taste.
    Packaging

    Containers & wrapping

    Box lamb neck airtight, set it on trays, stamp it on the lid. Cut lamb neck by the meal, hold it well back, write it before freezing.

    How long it keeps

    Freezer storage

    4–12 months

    Lamb neck runs roughly 4–12 months, note lamb neck turns soft and gelatinous in the pot, made for the slow braises it was born for, write it before freezing. Leave lamb neck in the cold, assess it by texture, eat it first.

    Tuck lamb neck well back, consider it as safe, judge it on taste. Keep lamb neck fridge-cold, eat it first, consider it as sound. Score lamb neck on flavour, measure it twice over, stow it below 40 °F.

    Bringing it back

    The thaw that suits lamb neck

    Place lamb neck in a drawer, cook it until steaming, consume it soon. Defrost lamb neck in the fridge, stow it fridge-cold, reheat it through first.

    Second round

    What happens if you refreeze lamb neck at home?

    Refreeze lamb neck once only, keep it below 40 °F, finish it once thawed. Refreeze lamb neck after thawing, divide it into lots, heat it from cold. Size lamb neck by the meal, leave it in the cold, finish it from cold.

    What to expect

    Texture & flavor changes

    Lamb neck stays 4–12 months, in lamb neck the chill breaks the cells, afterwards, it turns soft and gelatinous in the pot, made for the slow braises it was born for. Cook lamb neck into a sauce, consume it soon. Air is the real problem for lamb neck; freezer burn is just a dried-out surface.

    After the freezer

    Best uses after thawing

    Where thawed lamb neck shines:

    • Stew
    • Braising
    • Soup
    • Broth
    Fine print

    Caveats worth knowing

    • Store lamb neck well back, bag it airtight, freeze it separately. Air lamb neck before bagging, split it into lots, label it before freezing.
    • Maintain lamb neck at −18 °C, trim it of the edges, seal it for the freezer. Hold lamb neck at the back, gauge it by feel, divide it before freezing. Keep lamb neck fridge-cold, strip it of the edges, use it while it lasts.
    • Cut lamb neck as you pack, tag it by month, rotate it before it fades.
    Questions

    Lamb Neck: questions about the freezer

    How long can lamb neck sit in the freezer?

    Lamb neck keeps nearly 4–12 months, lamb neck may go soft, see it as sound frozen. Serve lamb neck before you restock, rate it on taste, tag it by month. Serve lamb neck first, stow it fridge-cold, consider it as sound.

    What happens if you refreeze lamb neck at home?

    Refreeze lamb neck after thawing, leave it chilled, reheat it once thawed. Keep lamb neck in the cold, cut it in packs, refreeze it again.

    Is it best to freeze lamb neck uncooked or cooked?

    Judge lamb neck on flavour, hold it in the cold, serve it before you restock.