Is re-freezing the same beans bad?
I have a bunch of frozen beans in the freeze and I found out that pouring hot water on them is easier to take them out of their container with a measuring cup. But them I re-freeze them. Is this a bad idea or unhealthy? I'm too lazy to freeze a bunch of separate small cups of beans.
Best Answer
In general, refreezing food is safe--but your thawing method is not a good idea.
While the rule that pathogens grow in the temperature "danger zone" of 40-140 F is oversimplified, it does reflect the fact that these temperatures are the most friendly to them. By thawing with hot water, you are raising the temperature into this range.
You would be better off thawing them with cool running water, which is one of the four acceptable methods of thawing food—see: What are the acceptable methods to thaw food items?
Even so, foods thawed with that method should be cooked or consumed immediately, as it does not ensure they stay at a safe temperature the entire time.
IF you really plan to refreeze, you should thaw in the refrigerator.
The total time the beans spend in the thawed state outside of the refrigerator should not exceed approximately 2-4 hours. Each time you thaw the beans, that clock is ticking.
Within that time frame, assuming you are thawing them with a proper method (such as in the refrigerator), they will be safe to refreeze, although you may get some degradation of texture.
Still, all of this thawing and refreezing seems like more work than packing them in smaller portions... one might argue that individual portions is actually the lazier approach. You don't need expensive or bulky containers; small zip type freezer bags will do.
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Quick Answer about "Is re-freezing the same beans bad?"
In general, refreezing food is safe--but your thawing method is not a good idea. While the rule that pathogens grow in the temperature "danger zone" of 40-140 F is oversimplified, it does reflect the fact that these temperatures are the most friendly to them.Can I freeze beans twice?
Can you freeze beans twice? Each time you thaw the beans, that clock is ticking. Within that time frame, assuming you are thawing them with a proper method (such as in the refrigerator), they will be safe to refreeze, although you may get some degradation of texture.Can you refreeze fresh beans?
Can You Refreeze Green Beans? It's perfectly safe to refreeze green beans, but we don't advise you to do it. One of the best things about green beans is their crunchy texture, which is likely to be ruined if you opt to refreeze your beans.Why should you not freeze things twice?
The more you freeze the food, the more the tissues break down, the flavor profile decreases and moisture escapes. For example, some vegetables, like green beans, will become mushy if it is thawed and frozen multiple times. They are still safe to eat, but the texture may not be as desirable.Can cooked pinto beans be refrozen?
A. Yes, you can freeze cooked beans.Freezing Green Beans: Blanched vs. Unblanched Comparison \u0026 Taste Test
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