Ideas for how to store processed bird in Fridge before freezing

We go ahead and individually vacume bag them. Some we do whole, others we cut into parts, bag, then stack in fridge for 48 hrs. then freeze.

 

Even giving 1/3 of them away, that's a whole lot of meat. I don't do that many at a time so what I do won't work for you. What you are after is keeping them cold so bacteria does not grow and keeping them so they do not dry out. I submerge in water but those vacuum bags would work to keep them from drying out. Obviously you want to keep them clean.

So maybe a large ice chest or three and keep them in ice water. A big tub or two with ice water, but have a way to cover them so dirt and other things can't get in. I'd think the vacuum bags in the fridge would work, but do you have enough room?

Just a couple of ideas. Good luck!

 

I use the big plastic storage boxes. I suggest that you measure the shelves and buy the appropriate size boxes.

Put a rack in the bottom of the box to hold the birds up out of any water that collects on the bottom of the box. The blood in teh water will stain the skin.

Mine get cut into parts before freezing. All wings are removed and bagged for a huge Buffalo Wing feast. The dogs get the legs. The rest is either frozen whole for roast, cut in half for barbecue, or divided into breasts and thighs. All chicken is pan ready before it is wrapped, so it can be dumped right out of the package and into the frying pan with no additional cleaning or cutting.

 

Quote:The dogs get the legs? Do you mean the feet?

 

Oh, we're supposed to rest them in the fridge before freezing??? We always cool them well in an ice bath with salt added and then vacuum bag them and put them straight into the freezer. We've eaten several that way with no noticeable issues.

 

You can store them in a cooler with ice for a couple of days. You can also freeze them, then when you eat them, after thawing let rest then for 48 hours.

 

I put my guineas in big ziplocks to rest. They have lots of room to extend their legs in rigor and then I can flex them into fetal position, push the air out, zip, and roll the top down. I do pat them dry after the rest period, wipe down the bag, and then put them back in.

I also have big crock pot safe bags I can use.

 

Quote:We didn't rest ours and haven't had one tough bird... They chilled them in ice water before putting them in vacuum bags and I put them straight in the freezer when I got home.. What is the purpose of resting them??