You might not see it in every supermarket these days, but pheasant is a tender, tasty, and protein-rich game meat. There is confusion as to whether it should be classified as a white meat or red meat. But who cares! The question is, how should you go about storing it?
Can You Freeze Pheasant?
Yes, you can freeze pheasant for up to 3 months. Like a lot of meats, pheasant will deteriorate in quality the longer you leave it in the freezer. Therefore, sufficient containment is advised. If you plan on freezing the pheasant, it is best to do so within the first day or two of purchasing.
Do Does Pheasant freeze well? Yes
Can you refreeze Pheasant? No
How to Freeze Pheasant
You can freeze pheasant whether you have a large amount or only smaller pieces. Below you will find some instructions for freezing your pheasant successfully:
- Let It Cool
If you have just finished cooking your pheasant, you need to let it cool down to room temperature before putting it in the freezer. Use a kitchen airing rack for best results.Ā You can also freeze raw pheasant cuts. - Wrap It Tight
Try and get as much excess air out of the wrapping as possible. Use plastic film to cover the pheasant. Two layers will make sure that there is no room for air to creep in.Ā - Contain It
Next, place the pheasant in a freezer bag, which can be sealed, or another container that you are able to secure. This is to ensure that minimal air gets in and affects your bird. Squeeze any remaining excess air out before sealing. - Label With the Date
Once wrapped and secured, you can attach a sticker to the outside of the container with the date you will place the pheasant in the freezer. Now it is good to freeze. Remember, you can freeze pheasant for around three months.
3 Tips for Freezing Pheasant
Now you know how to freeze it, we’ve got our 3 top tips which we strongly recommend following when freezing pheasant to have the best results:
Cut Or Dice Into Serving Portions
This is important because you will not have to defrost the entire pheasant if you only want to eat a small amount. Separate your meat into individual portions. Small takeaway containers can help you judge how much pheasant is enough for one serving.Ā
Freeze Individually
If you plan on freezing more than one pheasant at a time, it is a good idea to wrap and contain them separately. This is done to reduce the likelihood of freezer burn occurring, which is more likely when different birds are touching in the freezer. If you have them, use the different shelves within your freezer for separation.Ā
Keep It Wrapped Airtight
The best way for meat to stay as fresh in the freezer is for it to be wrapped so securely that as little excess air as possible is left within its container. Squeezing out the air from your freezer bag means your pheasant will last longer.Ā
How Long Can You Freeze Pheasant?
Pheasant can generally be frozen for 2-3 months. The better and more securely a pheasant is wrapped and contained, the longer it will last in the freezer.
It is not advised to freeze the pheasant beyond the suggested timeframe.To remind you of how long your pheasant has been in the freezer, remember to attach a sticker to the outside of the wrapping displaying the date you first froze it.
You Can Freeze Pheasant for up to 3 Months
How Do You Defrost Pheasant?
It is essential to ensure your pheasant is defrosted completely before cooking. As you can imagine, it is not safe to eat undercooked or frozen pheasant like most poultry products.
Defrosting the pheasant for 24 hours in the refrigerator until thoroughly thawed for a small amount might be sufficient, but an entire pheasant could require additional defrosting time.
It is best to check that there are no more ice crystals before cooking.
It is unwise to leave the pheasant on the kitchen counter for over 2 hours as this could attract harmful bacteria from developing on the bird. Refrigerate it instead.
Once defrosted, the pheasant should be eaten within 48 hours before it starts to perish.
Can You Refreeze Pheasant?
It is not advised to refreeze the pheasant once it has been defrosted. Once defrosted, consume but do not refreeze.
One tip to not requiring a refreeze is to dice your pheasant into smaller individual portions before freezing. This way, you can only defrost what you need to and leave the rest in the freezer.
Does Pheasant Freeze Well?
Yes, pheasant tends to freeze well. Putting the pheasant in the freezer soon after buying it keeps it fresh and flavoursome for longer.
Remember, with the correct freezing methods and equipment, and within the suggested time, you can preserve pheasant for much longer than you would otherwise.
Related FAQs
If youāve still got questions about freezing pheasant or pheasant in general, then these may help:
Yes, cooked pheasant can be frozen. Porrtion it out into freezer bags, seal and then place them into the freezer. It’s important that the food is left to cool before it is frozen, however.
Unfortunately, like any animal eggs, pheasant eggs will not freeze well. Instead, we would recommend cooking them into a dish and freezing that instead.
Unfortunately, pheasant will not keep in the fridge for a very long time. It will only last for 2 to 3 days. Instead, if you want to store it for longer, you should freeze it.
