Can food defrosted in the freezer used for cooking?

It's generally not recommended to refreeze food that has already been defrosted. Here's why:

* Safety: Defrosting and refreezing allows bacteria to multiply more quickly. While the food might look and smell fine, it can become unsafe to eat.

* Quality: Refreezing can affect the texture and flavor of food. It can become drier, tougher, and less palatable.

* Exceptions: There are some exceptions. For example, some frozen fruits and vegetables are safe to refreeze, but only if they were not thawed at room temperature.

Here's what you should do instead:

* Use the defrosted food immediately: Plan your meals around defrosting times to use the food as soon as it's thawed.

* Cook the food first, then freeze: If you won't use the defrosted food right away, cook it first and then freeze the cooked product. This will reduce the risk of bacterial growth.

* Keep defrosted food in the fridge: If you need to store defrosted food for a short period, keep it in the refrigerator until you're ready to use it.

In summary: While you *might* be able to get away with refreezing some foods occasionally, it's best to avoid it for safety and quality reasons.