Palatability and Storage Characteristics of Precooked Beef Roasts.

The palatability and storage characteristics of fresh, frozen and precooked beef chuck roasts prepared using added phosphate-salt and vacuum cooking bags were evaluated. Palatability attributes (tenderness, juiciness, beef flavor intensity, and off-flavor intensity) of precooked roasts prepared in vacuum cooking bags with phosphate-salt were as good or better than freshly cooked roasts. Precooked roasts in vacuum cooking bags had the lowest total bacterial counts after storage for 14 and 28 days. A palatable precooked roast beef product was developed that can be stored for 28 days at 4°C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]