Can you refreeze meat after defrosted not cooked?

It's not recommended to refreeze meat after it's been thawed but not cooked. Here's why:

* Food Safety: When meat is thawed, bacteria can start to multiply. Refreezing doesn't kill these bacteria, and they can continue to grow even in the freezer. This increases the risk of foodborne illness.

* Quality: Refreezing can affect the texture and quality of the meat. It can become tougher, drier, and less flavorful.

What to do instead:

* Cook the meat immediately: The safest option is to cook the thawed meat right away.

* Keep it in the refrigerator: If you're not going to cook the meat immediately, you can keep it in the refrigerator for 1-2 days.

* Divide into smaller portions: If you know you won't use the entire thawed portion, divide it into smaller portions and refreeze them separately. This will reduce the amount of meat that is exposed to bacteria.

Important note: Once meat has been frozen and thawed, it should never be refrozen again.