Tips to Keep Wagyu Beef Fresh

Vacuum Packed Wagyu Beef

What is Wagyu?

Wagyu beef is a breed of cattle that originated in Japan and is one of the world’s most prized cuts of meat. With its rich marbling, delicate texture, tenderness and intense flavour, it’s no wonder it’s so sought after worldwide. Because of their high-fat content (more than 20%), these animals have been bred over thousands of years to produce some amazing cuts of wagyu meat and steak!

But, to enjoy its full potential, you must know how to store and keep it fresh in your kitchen. The storage and keeping of Wagyu beef is an integral part of preserving its quality and taste.

We’re about to unravel the secret methods for storing your Wagyu beef like a pro! By doing so, not only will you relish it for longer, but you’ll also be doing your part in being a sustainable superhero.

So, buckle up and embark on this Wagyu beef storage mastery with Lux Wagyu House!

Tips to store the Wagyu beef in the fridge

1. Avoid pre-washing

A lot of people have the practice of giving a good wash to the beef right after their grocery shopping. So, is it necessary to wash meat before storing it?

Most experts advise against it. A wash might not affect any bacteria on the beef; instead, it gets killed only when the meat is cooked correctly. Washing beef may introduce new bacteria to it and could change the meat’s flavour and shelf life.

So, avoid cleaning the beef if you intend to freeze it.

2. Slice the beef into pieces before storing it

Exposing beef and other meat to temperature variations is the most harmful aspect of preserving meat. Bacteria on the meat might multiply when it goes back and forth between being cold and warm. To avoid spoiling the meat, take the meat from the refrigerator only when you’re planning to cook.

Before placing the meat in the refrigerator, chop it into parts or chunks so that you can utilise only the quantity you need while keeping the other meat fresh and delectable.

To learn about the different types of meat slicing, Check out our blog on Sizzling Meat: Types of Wagyu Beef Cuts for Thin Slicing.

3. Wrap your beef correctly and include “use-by” dates

Packaging plays a role when it comes to storing meat in the fridge.

Here are some quick guidelines to store your wagyu beef:

• If you purchased vacuum-packed meat, keep it in the packaging until you want to use it. There is no need to unwrap meat that has been vacuum packaged because this can highly increase the meat’s storage life.
• The guidelines alter slightly for beef that isn’t vacuum-packed. Put the beef on a dish and cover it loosely with plastic wrap when storing it in the refrigerator. To avoid the beef from “sweating,” there should be some airflow around it.
• Wrap your beef tightly in plastic wrap before freezing it, being careful not to let too much air get too close to the meat. Doing this prevents freezer burn, which doesn’t harm the meat but drastically impacts its flavour.
• Mark the date of purchase or the date it should be consumed, either directly on the plastic packaging or with a sticky note. It is essential as you’ll be saved from the hassle of wondering whether the piece of meat you find in the freezer months later still appears fresh and is in good condition.

Want to know how to defrost the beef? Click here!