Did it ever cross your mind about how to preserve meat for a long time? For example, let us say you will go on an extended vacation or camping trip and have the beef stored in your fridge. Will you leave your fridge running while you are away? That will be a big NO, for sure. How about a natural calamity where you cannot rely on electricity? OR, to keep things simple, your fridge unexpectedly broke down, and now you must think of ways to preserve meat without spoiling.
There are several ways to keep your meat fresh, even for a long time. And we have made it easier for you as we have rounded up below some ways you can keep your food fresh and ready for later consumption either for home meals or camping meals outdoors.
Practical Ways of Preserving Meat
Here are some tips you can do to preserve meat from spoiling!
Curing
Curing is a classic method of preserving food. Many are still practising this procedure today, where salt is added to the meat to control the moisture and prevent the growth of microorganisms. However, this process takes a lot of time and patience to perfect.
Smoking
Smoking is the oldest form of food preservation which many commonly used in areas where the weather is too humid for drying the meat. Smoking involves placing the beef enclosed so the smoke can penetrate the food. And since the smoke contains carcinogens or other food toxins, this may lead to health problems in the long term.
Dehydration
For many of us, dehydrating or drying food is a convenient way of preserving meat. As the name suggests, dehydration removes the moisture from the beef without affecting the nutritional value of the food. In addition, since the bacteria and moulds require water to grow, microorganisms can no longer spread in sufficiently dehydrated foods, which prevents the food from spoiling and make the shelf life longer.
Confit
If you have yet to hear about this method, it originated in France, where the meat is slowly cooked and submerged in its fats. Besides food preservation, it also retains the flavour and texture of the flesh. And to make the food even tastier, you may add various spices depending on the cut of meat you will be using.
Brining
Brining is not only easy to make but highly advantageous in preserving food. It stops the growth of bacteria while enhancing the flavour of the foods. It is a method that involves soaking the meat in a mixture of water, sugar, and salt. In addition to water, some also use other liquids like apple juice, beer, or wine. Just imagine the fusion of all these flavours in one meat!
Pressure Canning
Pressure Canning is a process where foods are placed in jars or cans and heated to a particular set of temperatures to preserve the food from getting spoiled. It is also effortless to make, so most of us find it convenient to practice at home. Going through a piping heat will destroy the microorganisms present in the food and inactivate enzymes to preserve the meat.
Freeze Drying
Freeze drying is no longer new to us. This form of preserving food has long been a practice that dates back to our ancestors. It is a process in which the meat's moisture has been removed and left in a vacuum chamber to take out the ice and convert it into vapour. The best thing about this method is its ability to maintain the nutrients and taste of the meat even after the whole procedure, unlike canned goods and jerky. An excellent example of freeze drying is the revolutionary meat product No Rush. It is a great way to keep your meat always fresh and tasty!
Benefits of Freeze Drying Compared to Jerky and Canned Foods
Imagine keeping your meat product without using a refrigerator for 25 years, and it will not spoil. How cool is that? On top of that, freeze-dried products, such as No Rush, are made free from harmful chemicals such as additives and preservatives, commonly found in jerky and canned goods.
We even make No Rush from 100% New Zealand meat guaranteed to be always fresh and safe to consume, not to mention the succulent taste of New Zealand meat that is renowned across the globe.
Unlike jerky and canned goods already seasoned and flavoured, freeze-dried meat such as No Rush is often free from seasonings. As many say, the flavours are entirely up to you! You can add this to your favourite recipe and serve it as you want.
And if we only talk about healthy alternatives, this product will top the chart! No Rush is highly nutritious compared to other processed meats. The original nutrients of the beef, such as protein, vitamins, and minerals, stay intact when conserved using the freeze-drying technology. No wonder most health critics are now incorporating this meal into their diets.
Conclusion
Yes, storing food without refrigeration is tricky. But that does not mean it is impossible. Methods and products like No Rush that come in different flavours, including beef and chicken, are now changing the spoiling game by bringing the healthiest alternatives from the market to our table at home.