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Can I refreeze a brisket?

FM Former Member
I took a Wal-Mart Choice brisket out of the freezer on Tuesday in order to smoke it this weekend. Now I have to go out of town unexpectedly so I won't be able to smoke this until the following weekend. It has not been warmed to room temp, it has been in my fridge since I took it out of the freezer. Can I refreeze this OK or will that ruin it? If it will wreck it, will it stay fresh for another week and a half in my fridge? It is still in the original (cryovac?) packaging. TIA for any help.
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M maxqMember
The main drawback of refreezing anything, especially meat...freezing causes some cellular collapse. When that occurs, liquid is released...which is why you often find thawed meat to pool extra juices. Refreezing causes the same event all over again. From a safety standpoint, you're fine. From a moisture/flavor standpoint, you're going to lose a bit on both fronts.
cal 2cal 2Member
Now Bubba, if I remember right that's a sell by date, not a use by date.

From what I remember reading on wet aging, this is really a backwards approach and you will need to know a kill date. Age 1st, then freeze.

If you smell a little odor just wash the meat,only then worry about bad odor if it stays on the meat.

I would have no problem leaving it in the frig as opposed to refreezing. It has been out of the danger zone(40-140).
T tomMember
We are talking cryovac,and that is typically a kill/pack date.

The freezer may suspend the date ,depending on packaging,temps,etc.

Folks that have dedicated meat holding refrigs,that aren't open and stay cold,might hold and wet age packers for as many as 80 days.

If the seal is broken on cryovac,we cook soon,or possibly freeze.

We often hold a minimum of 30 days,and sometime closer to 60 days.

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