Skip to Content

Your store

Store details Change your store

Opening Hours

Today	Closed
Wednesday	Closed
Thursday	Closed
Friday	Closed
Saturday	Closed
Sunday	Closed
Monday	Closed

Store details

or register

Welcome to PAK'nSAVE Choose a store

It looks like you're in the South Island

Choose a store

Your Store

PAK'nSAVE Rolleston Closed Today

Change

Search textbox label

Shop

Deals
More

Can you freeze cooked lamb?

Shopping guides
Lamb Shopping Guide
Can you Freeze Cooked Lamb?

Back to Lamb Shopping Guide

Make sure nothing goes to waste with our tips on freezing leftover cooked lamb.

How long can I freeze cooked lamb?

Cooked lamb can be frozen for up to 3 months but can be dry. We recommend you shred or dice the lamb before freezing in smaller portions which are quicker and more convenient to defrost and reheat. Reheating lamb pieces in a sauce will help restore moisture to the meat.

Tips for freezing cooked lamb

Don’t leave freshly cooked lamb out at room temperature for more than 2 hours, as harmful bacteria can begin to grow to dangerous levels. Throw out any cooked lamb left out for longer than 2 hours. Freeze cooked lamb immediately to maintain optimum food quality.

Food safety guidelines recommend you cook lamb once, freeze it once, defrost it once and reheat it once. This minimises the risk of bacterial growth which could cause food poisoning.

Get the best results from freezing cooked lamb with these food handling tips:

Shred or dice lamb into chunks for soups and curries.
Wrap cooked lamb in foil or freezer wrap then place in an airtight freezer bag or container. Make sure to squeeze out any excess air to prevent freezer burn which causes food deterioration.
Freeze cooked lamb in small individual portions - this creates greater flexibility with meal planning. Smaller portions are quicker to freeze and defrost.
Diced and whole sliced lamb pieces can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Lamb cooked in sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.
When freezing, label the lamb with a new use-by-date because the clock starts ticking again from that point.

Defrosting and reheating cooked lamb

When you’re ready to use your frozen cooked lamb, remove it from the freezer, place it in the fridge and defrost overnight. Cook and consume the meat within 3 days.

Once defrosted the lamb can be reheated in a pan on the hob, in the microwave or in the oven. Check that the internal temperature has reached 77℃ before serving. Slow cooker or crock pots are not recommended for reheating lamb because these methods are based on low/slow cooking and the internal temperature will not reach the safe level of 77℃.

-

How to tell if frozen cooked lamb is bad

If air gets into the packaging, you may find ice crystals on the surface of frozen lamb. This indicates freezer burn and often happens if the packaging is damaged or the meat has been packed whilst steaming hot. The meat dries out, begins to shrivel up and becomes discoloured. Once thawed, the texture will be tough and unpleasant to eat and is best thrown out.

More guides to buying and cooking lamb

What to consider when buying lamb

This guide will explain everything you need to know about the best time of year to buy lamb, what the labels mean, and making sure you buy good quality. Read the guide.

Different cuts of lamb

Lamb is an incredibly versatile meat available in more than 20 different cuts. Read our shopping guide to choose the best cut of lamb for your budget.

Frozen lamb vs. fresh

Whether you buy fresh or frozen lamb you can still cook up a delicious meal. There aren’t many differences between the two but here are a few things to think about when you’re at the supermarket.

How long can cooked lamb last in the fridge

Cooked lamb can be stored in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. It should be covered & cooled rapidly, then stored in an airtight container on the middle shelf of the fridge within 2 hours. Read the guide.

How long can raw lamb last in the fridge?

Store raw lamb cuts on the bottom shelf or the coldest part of the fridge for up to 2 days. Read the guide.

How long can lamb last in the freezer?

Raw lamb can be kept in the freezer for 2 to 6 months depending on the cut. Read more quick tips for storing lamb below.

Reheating lamb

The most effective methods for reheating lamb are in a microwave, on the hob and in the oven. Read the guide.

Defrosting lamb

The safest way to defrost lamb is to leave it in the refrigerator overnight or until completely thawed. You can use the microwave but ensure the temperature of the meat does not rise above 5℃. Read the guide.

How to cook frozen lamb

Lamb can be cooked from frozen but the question to ask yourself is why would you want to do that? It requires longer to cook, can result in uneven cooking, loss of tenderness and pale meat? Read the guide.

Lamb portion sizes

Our handy reference table will help you to buy just the right amount of lamb for your family meal. Read Guide.

About PAK'nSAVE

Foodstuffs Jobs News Pams Privacy policy Website T&Cs Online shopping T&Cs North Island Refund and Returns Policy Become a supplier

Customer Service

Contact us FAQs Scam alert Store finder Surveys

More

Sign up to email Get the app Catering Christmas Club Fuel Gift cards Online shopping SHOP'nGO

Follow us

Download the PAK'nSAVE app now

© 2025 PAK'nSAVE. All rights reserved.

FIND YOUR PAK'nSAVE STORE

Select a store

Select or search for your local PAK'nSAVE store