How Long Can Quorn Last in the Fridge?
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Quorn is perfect if you want to reduce meat consumption and move over to a plant-based diet. It offers an environmentally conscious and healthy way to transition to a new food regimen without compromising the flavor or nutrients of your diet. So, if you’re wondering if this meat substitute can be stored safely in the fridge, you’ve come to the right place.
Frozen Quorn can safely last in the freezer for up to 2 months. You can either freeze it in the packet or as a cooked dish. In case you’ve already cooked it, make sure to cover it tightly before placing it in the fridge.
Quorn is not only meant for flexitarians. They are quite tasty, help with weight loss, are environment friendly, and are quite affordable compared to diets based on continental meat. Let’s take a better look at the product and discuss how you can store it for future use.
How to freeze corn properly?
There are several ways to freeze corn, thanks to the numerous products that are available inside the Quorn range. Although the general idea is to freeze the stuff as quickly as possible, each item comes with separate instructions on how you should freeze it, so read the label before proceeding.
However, in most cases, the steps for freezing these products are more or less the same. For instance, here are a few common products that I eat frequently:
1. Quorn Mince
2. Quorn Sausages
3. Quorn Crispy Nuggets
When it comes to freezing, I usually let them cool for a bit, pack them in either plastic bags or glass containers (whatever I have close by), and place them in the fridge. If there is a lot, then I store them in portions; otherwise, I refrigerate everything. In the next section, I discuss the step-by-step method of freezing Quorn alongside the products I use to get the job done.
Steps to properly freeze Quorn Mince, Sausages and Nuggets
Before you decide how to refrigerate Quorn products, you should figure out the quantity. Depending on the total amount, you might have to use separate containers. That’s because Quorn can be frozen for up to 2 months, but it can only be refrigerated for 2-3 days.
So if you have a large quantity of Quorn that you cannot eat within a few days, it’s better to have a part of it refrigerated and the rest of it frozen. Here are the steps to do so:
1. Cooling before storing – Let the bowl of Quorn cool before shoving it into the fridge. I usually transfer the contents into separate pans and leave them on the counter to speed up the cooling process.
2. Splitting into portions – After cooling, I usually split the Quron into two portions. The first portion (majority) goes into the freezer since I will be eating it after a week or so. I keep the second part in the fridge because I will need it in the next 1-2 days.
3. Storing – Once all of the Quorn items have been separated, I place them in bags or containers. I usually get a few Ziplock bags for the mince. For the nuggets and sausages, I prefer plastic containers, but it’s a matter of personal preference.
4. Label – I usually have a lot of stuff in the fridge, which is why I label it. Otherwise, I easily forget the date when I initially stored them, which often leads to them getting spoiled in the process. Write down the date you prepared them alongside the use-by date.
In addition to these steps, there are some tips you should follow when handling Quorn, which I’ll be discussing in the next section.
Tips to follow when freezing uncooked Quorn
There is little difference when it comes to handling uncooked Quorn. Although it isn’t much different from the cooked variant, there are a few things you should be wary of before storing them in your fridge. They are as follows:
1. Freeze uncooked Quorn – Uncooked Quorn can also be frozen, but you need to do so as soon as possible. If it reaches even close to the expiration date before freezing, there will be a significant drop in flavor.
2. Always buy pre-frozen Quorn – Although there is no rule that states you should buy pre-frozen Quorn, it’s generally a safe bet. I once ordered normal Quorn, and it was all mushy when it arrived. Even after cooking, they appeared tasteless, and I had to throw them all away. Purchasing frozen Quorn almost always ensures high-quality food.
3. Check the labels – Some Quorn dishes come with specific instructions as to how you should freeze them. Check the labels since deviating from the rules can ruin the food before it’s time.
How to defrost Quorn properly?
Although there are no general instructions on defrosting Quorn, some products might come with steps printed on their packages. However, for best results, you should always defrost them in the fridge.
Most of the people I know defrost Quorn or other food items outside of the fridge. It hasn’t been a problem for them, but I always prefer the fridge because it minimizes the bacteria buildup within the Quorn
I bring out the Quorn from the freezer and keep it in the fridge for up to a day to thaw. Once it’s all soft, I cook it the following day, and it tastes basically the same as before. Thawing your food in the fridge is good practice, and I suggest you do this with all your food.
Does Quorn Freeze nicely?
Quorn freezes pretty nicely as long as it’s within the two-month time limit. Beyond that, freezing becomes less effective.
I have eaten Quorn a few days past the expiration date just to see if it’s safe. The texture and smell were a bit off, but it didn’t cause any health problems. Although I don’t recommend eating anything beyond the use-by date, if push comes to shove, Quorn is a safe bet. Nonetheless, give it a whiff just to be sure.
Can Quorn be refrozen?
Yes, Quorn can be refrozen after it has been thawed or defrosted in the fridge. If you did it in a microwave oven, then refreezing it might drastically affect its texture and taste.
But no matter how careful you are, continuously freezing and defrosting food will deteriorate the overall quality. That’s why it’s important to divide your Quorn into multiple portions (at least two). So when you plan to eat it, you only thaw a portion of it while the rest is still frozen.
Popular Quorn recipe
Here are a few of my favorite recipes that I often try out with Quorn. They are healthy non-veg and taste delicious with little to no effort. Let’s begin.
1. Quorn Chicken Stir Fry – Put 250 g of Quorn pieces in a bowl, and add 1/4 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of chili powder, and 1 teaspoon of corn flour. Mix everything thoroughly.
Now add 2 teaspoons of oil to a frying pan and wait until it’s hot. Once the oil is ready, pour in the Quorn and keep stirring on medium heat for 4-5 minutes. Transfer the Quorn to a plate once the Quorn is all fired up.
Pour one teaspoon of oil into the frying pan and then add 1/2 a diced onion, 1 chopped green chili, and 1 teaspoon of chopped ginger. Stir fry until it gives off a nice smell. Then add 1/2 diced green and yellow pepper each and 1/2 teaspoon salt and keep stirring.
Once the peppers are fried up, add 1 teaspoon each of dark soy sauce, hot chili sauce, and tomato ketchup. Stir fry until the vegetables are ready, and finally pour in the Quorn.
Finally, keep stirring until the Quorn is all fluffy and soft. Add salt to taste, and once done, serve hot.
2. Quorn Sausages – Sausages are the most flexible Quorn product out there. The product can be cooked in a variety of ways, including pan-frying, braising, barbecuing, grilling, and air-frying.
Pan-frying is the quickest way to cook sausages. Simply add a dash of oil and fry the sausages until they caramelize. Any frying pan will do the job, but I prefer non-stick ones like the Utopia kitchen set. If you want to cut down on oil even further, air-frying is the way to go.
F.A.Q.
What’s the nutritional value of Quorn?
Most Quorn products are quite healthy. Compared to potatoes or baked beans, the Mycoproteins within Quorn contain more fiber per 100g. Not only is it good for weight loss, but it also lowers bad cholesterol, thereby warding off heart ailments. Let’s take a look at the nutritional values.
Nutrients per 100g | Mince | Nuggets |
Energy | 384 kJ/91 kcal | 795 kJ/190 kcal |
Carbohydrates | 2.3g | 17g |
Sugar | 0.1g | 1.9g |
Fat | 1.7g | 8.3g |
Saturates | 0.5g | 0.8g |
Salt | 0.14g | 1.2g |
Fibre | 7.5g | 4.5g |
Protein | 13g | 9.4g |
Conclusion
Hopefully, you’ve found this article helpful. Many people have permanently switched to Quorn as a meat substitute. Even I try it from time to time. It may not be as tasty as chicken, but the health benefits are definitely worth it. If you liked the article, stay tuned for more food-related topics in the future.