Meat Storage Question: Freezing before smoking?

[Gil Matar]

Hello Everyone,

Last year I did my first pulled lamb shoulder http://tvwbb.com/showthread.php?37428-My-first-Pulled-Lamb-Shoulder ) . It was awesome and delicious.

I'm probably doing more in a few weeks, but might have to buy it early. Is it OK to freeze meat that I will be smoking and pulling?

Thanks,

Gil

 

[Bill]

should be okay as long as you thaw it completely over a couple days in the refrigerator

 

[Bill Schultz]

I have found that meat that was frozen often times is more tender than fresh. I believe the reason is the fibers of the meat actually get broken down during the freezing.
That being said you definitely need to defrost slowly in the fridge. When I have defrosted just by leaving out meat on the counter it is not as good and not really safe to do either as the outside of the meat is much warmer than the inside for a long time.

 

[Gil Matar]

Great. Thanks to both of you. I appreciate the quick response.