Side dish storage/freezer life

AlabamaGrillBillies · 10-21-2008, 08:59 PM

Well, the last year we have taken a lot of time off catering wise. Now we are trying to kick it into gear and are getting serious about cost/profits. A lot of times the recipes we have for our side dishes leave more than what the customer ordered. Someone only wants 1 quart of beans, but our recipe makes 2. So now we don't want to waste the left over quart. We have a vacuum sealer and plan on using it. Now here is the question part where I need some help.

How long can Vacuum Sealed side dishes like baked beans, potato salal, cole slaw, and mac and cheese last in a dedicated deep freezer and still be good, both food safe wise, and taste wise.

Any advice would be great.

big brother smoke · 10-21-2008, 10:06 PM

OK, don't take this this the wrong way, please! I would never use previously cooked frozen sides for catering. Quality means everything when catering, besides most sides are to cheap.

Bbq Bubba · 10-21-2008, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by big brother smoke

OK, don't take this this the wrong way, please! I would never use previously cooked frozen sides for catering. Quality means everything when catering, besides most sides are to cheap.

I would have to agree.
If you can't cut the recipe in half, sell them the 2 quarts and deal with the leftovers accordingly. Call it a "minimum order".

AlabamaGrillBillies · 10-22-2008, 06:04 AM

Thanks for the advise, that's why I love this place. But I do have a question, and I'm trying to be a smart a$$. Most of us will use precooked and frozen meat if its a large order, or if logistics prevent us from cooking the day of the event. Why are sides a no, no? Is the quality that much of a let down after freezing with a vac seal? I'm just courious as I've never vac sealed and froze any of my sides before. I know the meat quality if properly vac sealed, froze and reheated can be about 90% as good as fresh cooked meat, I just assumed that the sides would be close as well. But then there's that old saying about assuming...

big brother smoke · 10-22-2008, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlabamaGrillBillies

Thanks for the advise, that's why I love this place. But I do have a question, and I'm trying to be a smart a$$. Most of us will use precooked and frozen meat if its a large order, or if logistics prevent us from cooking the day of the event. Why are sides a no, no? Is the quality that much of a let down after freezing with a vac seal? I'm just courious as I've never vac sealed and froze any of my sides before. I know the meat quality if properly vac sealed, froze and reheated can be about 90% as good as fresh cooked meat, I just assumed that the sides would be close as well. But then there's that old saying about assuming...

I believe the quality is greatly reduced in side items that are frozen. Mac and cheese may hold, but I myself would not chance it. I am always thinking of the next gig and who may be at the gig I am catering who needs a caterer in the future. You only got one shot, Bro to sell yourself!

AlabamaGrillBillies · 10-22-2008, 12:03 PM

In my last post I meant to type "I'm NOT trying to be a smart a$$". Whoops, I bet that read a little funny.

Anyhow, thanks for the advise, I've never tried vac sealing and freezing sides, and now it looks like I won't have to learn from my mistake. I'll just try and down size my recipes if and when needed.

lazybonesmoke1 · 10-22-2008, 01:02 PM

Why don't you freeze some sides next time you have left overs and thaw them out and eat them for your friends. You will see the difference in quality.

big brother smoke · 10-22-2008, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlabamaGrillBillies

In my last post I meant to type "I'm NOT trying to be a smart a$$". Whoops, I bet that read a little funny.

Anyhow, thanks for the advise, I've never tried vac sealing and freezing sides, and now it looks like I won't have to learn from my mistake. I'll just try and down size my recipes if and when needed.

No sweat, I knew what you meant. Context is everything

Marsha · 10-22-2008, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lazybonesmoke1

Why don't you freeze some sides next time you have left overs and thaw them out and eat them for your friends. You will see the difference in quality.

Excellent idea! I do that with many new things for our business. We will cook up something new, or try a new technique, and then share with our neighbors before taking it "live!" to the clients. The neighbors seem to enjoy being our regular taste testers.

MrsMista · 10-22-2008, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bbq Bubba

I would have to agree.
If you can't cut the recipe in half, sell them the 2 quarts and deal with the leftovers accordingly. Call it a "minimum order".

I would agree on a minimum. If there are leftovers then the cost is on the client. Personally I'm not big on leftovers regardless so I would always opt for cooked, not reheated.

Neil · 11-06-2008, 02:35 PM

Frozen potato salad and slaw would not be a good thing. You might be able to get by with frozen baked beans. I've frozen the "hog apple beans" and reheated for myself many times and they were very good.

barbefunkoramaque · 11-06-2008, 05:43 PM

A good freezer should last 12 years. I buy them with the protection plan that also covers the meat inside if you save your receipts.

299

10-21-2008, 08:59 PM	#1
AlabamaGrillBillies is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 03-07-07 Location: Birmingham Alabama Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Side dish storage/freezer life Well, the last year we have taken a lot of time off catering wise. Now we are trying to kick it into gear and are getting serious about cost/profits. A lot of times the recipes we have for our side dishes leave more than what the customer ordered. Someone only wants 1 quart of beans, but our recipe makes 2. So now we don't want to waste the left over quart. We have a vacuum sealer and plan on using it. Now here is the question part where I need some help. How long can Vacuum Sealed side dishes like baked beans, potato salal, cole slaw, and mac and cheese last in a dedicated deep freezer and still be good, both food safe wise, and taste wise. Any advice would be great. __________________ ΜOΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ Leverguns, 1911s and BBQ Thank God i'm American! Matt Pair, member of the AlabamaGrillBillies Cookteam and Catering company. Check us out! http://www.algrillbillies.com Its grillin' time ya'll.

10-21-2008, 10:06 PM	#2
big brother smoke somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 05-03-06 Location: Ventura, CA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	OK, don't take this this the wrong way, please! I would never use previously cooked frozen sides for catering. Quality means everything when catering, besides most sides are to cheap. __________________ Peace and Smoke, BBS https://www.bigpoppasmokers.com/stor...nufacturer=314 My Weapons: Custom rig - Kandi, UDS; Bubba Keg; 22.5 WSM x 2; 18.5 WSM; BWS extended party; BWS Gator and an Onyx Oven; 29' ft Coachmen Leprechaun (Lola); Avatar by Grillman. Dan Chambers get well soon, so we can tell you to "Shut up Chambers"

10-22-2008, 06:04 AM	#4
AlabamaGrillBillies is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 03-07-07 Location: Birmingham Alabama Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Thanks for the advise, that's why I love this place. But I do have a question, and I'm trying to be a smart a$$. Most of us will use precooked and frozen meat if its a large order, or if logistics prevent us from cooking the day of the event. Why are sides a no, no? Is the quality that much of a let down after freezing with a vac seal? I'm just courious as I've never vac sealed and froze any of my sides before. I know the meat quality if properly vac sealed, froze and reheated can be about 90% as good as fresh cooked meat, I just assumed that the sides would be close as well. But then there's that old saying about assuming... __________________ ΜOΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ Leverguns, 1911s and BBQ Thank God i'm American! Matt Pair, member of the AlabamaGrillBillies Cookteam and Catering company. Check us out! http://www.algrillbillies.com Its grillin' time ya'll.

10-22-2008, 12:03 PM	#6
AlabamaGrillBillies is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 03-07-07 Location: Birmingham Alabama Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	In my last post I meant to type "I'm NOT trying to be a smart a$$". Whoops, I bet that read a little funny. Anyhow, thanks for the advise, I've never tried vac sealing and freezing sides, and now it looks like I won't have to learn from my mistake. I'll just try and down size my recipes if and when needed. __________________ ΜOΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ Leverguns, 1911s and BBQ Thank God i'm American! Matt Pair, member of the AlabamaGrillBillies Cookteam and Catering company. Check us out! http://www.algrillbillies.com Its grillin' time ya'll.

10-22-2008, 01:02 PM	#7
lazybonesmoke1 Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 02-10-06 Location: MICHIGAN Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Why don't you freeze some sides next time you have left overs and thaw them out and eat them for your friends. You will see the difference in quality. __________________ [FONT=Comic Sans MS]DENI-DETROIT[/FONT] [FONT=Comic Sans MS]LAZYBONES SMOKEHOUSE[/FONT] [FONT=Comic Sans MS][URL="http://www.LazybonesSmokehouse.NET"]WWW.LazybonesSmokehouse.NET[/URL][/FONT]

11-06-2008, 02:35 PM	#11
Neil Quintessential Chatty Farker Join Date: 06-04-04 Location: St. Joseph, MI Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Frozen potato salad and slaw would not be a good thing. You might be able to get by with frozen baked beans. I've frozen the "hog apple beans" and reheated for myself many times and they were very good. __________________ "You can't always get what you want but if you try sometime you just might find you get what you need" Mange Bene Viva Bene! NB Bandera-Firebox & Baffle Mod, WSM, Weber: Performer(Col. Steve Austin Mod), WSM, Three 22 1/2" Kettles, 2 Brinkman Dual Zone Proffessional Grills, Smoky Joe, Uniflame Tabletop Gasser, Luhr-Jensen Big Chief, Turkey Fryer, Rocky Mountain Camp Stove & 3 UDS's.

11-06-2008, 05:43 PM	#12
barbefunkoramaque Babbling Farker Join Date: 11-11-07 Location: Gone Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	A good freezer should last 12 years. I buy them with the protection plan that also covers the meat inside if you save your receipts. 299 __________________ Popdaddy is Dead - 1933-2011 - Pitmaster T is a free agent

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