How to Keep Lamb Fresh

Just as important as it is to handle lamb safely, there are methods for storing lamb safely. Never allow lamb to be exposed to heat or left at room temperature. Once purchased, lamb must be properly stored to prevent the meat from going bad.

Freezer of Refrigerator?{/h3] Lamb can be stored in either the refrigerator or freezer, depending on when it will be used. Lamb that will be used with a day or two should be stored in the refrigerator, kept in its original packaging, in the coldest area of the refrigerator. The ideal temperature should be around 35 degrees, but no higher than 40 degrees.

If lamb will not be used within a couple of days, it must be frozen. Make sure your freezer keeps a steady temperature of 0 degrees or below. Lamb cuts can be kept in a freezer for six to nine months, while it is best to keep ground lamb frozen for up to four months.

Tips for Properly Freezing Lamb

Lamb can be frozen in its original packaging, but if the lamb will be in the freezer for over a few months, it may be best to take it out of its packing and rewrap it for long time freezer use. Freezer burn can occur on any meat, so to prevent this, rewrapping the lamb tightly in plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil will prevent moisture loss that freezer burn has on the lamb.

Storing Leftover Lamb Lamb that has been cooked can also be stored in the refrigerator or freezer. As a general rule, cooked lamb should be used within three days when stored in the refrigerator, and can be kept up to three months in the freezer.

Label Lamb with the Date

With either freezing or refrigeration, it is always a good idea to label lamb packages with the date. This way you will never be confused on how long it has been frozen or refrigerated. You wouldn't want to throw out good lamb because you are unsure of the date, or eat lamb past its proper storage time.