Irish Stew

If you've made a pot of homemade Irish Stew, it should stay fresh in your fridge for up to three days. If you happen to freeze the stew, you can expect it to be good for about 3 months. Just be sure to securely wrap and mark with a date, for quality and safety. If you've purchased a canned Irish Stew, you'll want to use it within a year of the date printed on the can, unopened. However, once you've cracked that can open, finish up within 2-3 days!

If your Irish stew has gone bad, you'll be able to tell in a number of ways. Firstly, the smell -- if it smells sour or off, it's time to throw it away. The stew may acquire greenish-blue patchy growth, which is a definite sign of mold and suggestive that your stew needs to be discarded. Finally, if the texture has become overly slimy, that's another surefire clue the stew isn't good to eat anymore.

• Store your freshly made Irish stew in air-tight containers in the fridge. This will keep it from absorbing flavors of other foods and also prevent it from drying out. Separating into individual portion size helps it cool faster and makes it easier to heat later. • If you plan to freeze your stew, avoid overfilling your containers. Leave some space at the top since the stew will expand as it freezes. • Thaw frozen stew in the refrigerator for a slow, safe thawing process. If you need it faster, you can use the defrost function on your microwave. Always be sure to reheat your stew to a safe internal temperature of at least 75°C (165°F) before enjoying it again. • Canned stew should be stored in a cool, dry place until you're ready to use it.