A gray-brown, leathery patch on a steak is freezer burn. An ice crust on ice cream may have the same problem, though repeated thawing and refreezing also plays a part.

Air reaching food causes freezer burn. The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service says freezer burn does not make food unsafe.

Keeping air away from food protects its quality. The wrapping you choose and the way it seals determine how much air can reach the surface.

Can You Eat Freezer-Burned Meat?

Yes, you can eat freezer-burned meat, but freezer burn changes the food's quality, including its taste, texture and color. This does not make the food unsafe.

USDA FSIS states:

"Freezer burn does not make food unsafe, merely dry in spots."

This applies to freezer-burned chicken, steak and other meat. While a dry or discolored area shows a loss of quality, it is still safe to eat.

The quality loss can become strong enough to affect more than appearance. Iowa State University Extension says:

"Severely freezer-burned food will have an off taste and smell that is especially noticeable."

What Causes Freezer Burn?

Freezer burn begins when ice on the food's surface evaporates. This loss of moisture dries and discolors the surface. Oxygen also has a bleaching effect, causing the dry area to appear gray.

A freezer should hold food constantly at 0 °F. FSIS says food kept at that temperature is always safe, while lengthy freezer storage affects quality. Many home freezer dials show settings from 1 to 7 instead of a temperature, so a thermometer can show whether the compartment is at 0 °F.

Good Cook Refrigerator and Freezer Thermometer

How Do You Prevent Freezer Burn?

Proper packaging keeps air from reaching food and helps preserve its quality. The wrap on a supermarket meat tray lets air pass through, so it is not enough for prolonged freezer storage. FSIS gives the full guidance:

"It is safe to freeze meat or poultry directly in its original packaging, however this type of wrap is permeable to air and quality may diminish over time. For prolonged storage, overwrap these packages as you would any food for long-term storage."

Overwrapping refers to adding freezer paper, heavy-duty foil, freezer plastic wrap or a freezer bag. Each is meant to put another barrier between the food and the air.

The original meat packaging can be left in place under that extra layer. Freezing meat or poultry in its store packaging is safe, but overwrapping it prevents air from reaching it and protects its quality.

Freezer paper has a plastic coating that faces the food, which separates it from parchment and wax paper. Our guide to parchment, wax paper, foil and freezer paper explains the different jobs these papers do. Freezer tape is made for freezer temperatures, while ordinary tape can fail in these conditions.

Reynolds Kitchens Freezer Paper, Plastic Coated, 75 sq ft

Freezer bags use thicker plastic than storage bags, but this heavier plastic is only part of the difference. The seal matters as well, whether the bag uses a zipper or a slider. Press the air out before sealing the bag. It is important to understand the differences among storage bags, freezer bags and sandwich bags before choosing which one to use.

Signature SELECT is Safeway's own brand. Its quart freezer bag has a double-zipper closure.

Signature SELECT Freezer Bags, Click N Lock Double Zipper, Quart

One customer review headed "Great freezer bags." describes them as "Good, heavy weight, quart bags. They are extremely good at keeping food from freezer burn." Another, titled "Signature freezer bags quart size," says, "A good freezer bag- can fit lots of chicken pieces in each bag. Other meats as well, steaks etc. keeps [meat] in the freezer for a good period before there's freezer burn."

Heavy-duty foil is another overwrap FSIS names, serving the same purpose in keeping air away from food. Freezer plastic wrap is also on the agency's list.

Vacuum sealing takes a different route by removing air from the package. This directly addresses the source of freezer burn. FSIS says unopened vacuum packages can go into the freezer as they are.

FoodSaver 11 in x 12 ft Rolls, 2 pack

A torn or opened package in the freezer does not make the food unsafe, but FSIS advises overwrapping or rewrapping it if this is the case. A new barrier limits further contact with air.

What Does Freezer Burn Look Like?

On steak and other meat, freezer burn appears as gray-brown, leathery spots. These are dry areas where the surface has lost moisture.

Chicken can develop dry, discolored areas. Oxygen can bleach the food's surface as moisture evaporates, changing its color as well as its texture.

Fish may show the same dry, discolored patches found on other foods. Freezer burn is a surface change, which is why the affected part can be cut away.

Ice cream can develop an icy crust. Air exposure may contribute to that crust, but repeated thawing and refreezing also plays a part. In either case, the ice signals a loss of quality and texture.

Can You Save Freezer-Burned Food?

USDA FSIS gives a direct answer for meat, fish and other affected foods:

"Cut freezer-burned portions away either before or after cooking the food. Heavily freezer-burned foods may have to be discarded for quality reasons."

Common Questions About Freezer Burn

Can you eat freezer-burned meat?

Yes. While air exposure may leave meat dry, discolored and less pleasant to eat, freezer burn does not make it unsafe.

Does freezer burn make you sick?

No, freezer burn does not make food unsafe. It damages taste, smell, texture and color instead.

What is the best material for wrapping meat for freezing?

USDA FSIS names freezer paper, heavy-duty foil, freezer plastic wrap and freezer bags for wrapping. Freezer paper places its plastic-coated side against the meat. A freezer bag uses thicker plastic than a storage bag, and its seal helps keep air out. Press out the air before closing a freezer bag. Vacuum packaging removes air from around the food, and an unopened vacuum package can be frozen as it is.

Can you cut freezer burn off fish or steak?

Yes. FSIS says the affected portion can be removed before cooking or afterward.

Can you eat freezer-burned ice cream?

Freezer burn does not make food unsafe, including ice cream, but an icy crust means its quality has declined. Repeated thawing and refreezing may account for part of that crust.

What temperature should a freezer be?

Keep the freezer at 0 °F. FSIS says food held constantly at that temperature remains safe, though quality can decline during lengthy storage. A dial marked from 1 to 7 does not tell you the temperature inside, so a freezer thermometer will give you the temperature directly.