Fresh Meat

[JackHammer]

When is the earliest I can make my purchase of steak and assorted meat for July 4 grilling? I want to go camping Friday night and given that the 4th is on Monday, will buying my fresh meat Thursday night be too early? I want to grill some steak Friday night and kill of the remaining on the 4th. thanks.

[Prngr44]

Shouldn't be. If I were going on a camping trip like that, I'd probably buy it Thursday and freeze it, that way it'd defrost over a couple days' time and be ready for Monday.

[Napoleon54]

A cooler with sufficient ice is equivalent to a refrigerator, so just go by the Sell By date on the package (if it is prepackaged), or ask the butcher what the date will be if you're picking specific cuts from the meat counter.

If you won't have a cooler then I'd do like Prngr44 says. I've gone backpacking with frozen steaks (buried in the center of my pack for insulation) and they're good that way for 2-4 days depending on the weather and if they are kept insulated (undisturbed).

[JackHammer]

Much obliged guys.

[Prngr44]

Heck I froze mine AND put it in the cooler. Mine was 4 whole chickens frozen on a Saturday, packed in a cooler on Sunday, and sat until Wednesday night when I cooked them. They were still a little frozen on the inside, but 80% of it was thawed.

[nickel]

i was hoping you were inviting some "friends" to post here. :P