How Long Does Birds Eye Voila! Beef Lo Mein Last?
Storage Tips and Shelf Life Information
The convenience of Birds Eye Voila! Beef Lo Mein can't be understated, offering a quick and nutritious option for busy individuals and families. Many wonder about the shelf life of these popular frozen meals, making it important to know how long you can safely store and enjoy them.
Birds Eye Voila! Beef Lo Mein comes frozen and is designed to maintain its quality for an extended period when stored properly. Stored in the freezer, Birds Eye Voila! Beef Lo Mein can last up to 12 months without significant loss of flavor or texture. This makes it an excellent choice for stocking up and saving for future dinners.
Once cooked, it's advisable to consume any leftovers within 3-4 days if kept in the refrigerator. This allows you to stretch your meal planning effectively while avoiding food waste. For those looking for a convenient, home-cooked feel, Birds Eye Voila! Beef Lo Mein remains a trending favorite.
Product Overview
Birds Eye Voila! Beef Lo Mein is a convenient and flavorful frozen meal option. It combines seasoned cooked beef, traditional lo mein noodles, and a variety of vegetables in a savory sauce, providing a balanced and enjoyable meal experience.
What Is Birds Eye Voila! Beef Lo Mein?
Birds Eye Voila! Beef Lo Mein is a frozen skillet meal designed for quick preparation. The meal features tender strips of seasoned cooked beef, mixed with lo mein noodles and a hearty blend of vegetables like bok choy, onions, and carrots. The dish is then covered in a savory sauce that ties all the flavors together. This meal is designed to be both convenient and satisfying, making it an ideal choice for busy individuals or families seeking a quick, yet nutritious, dinner option.
Key Ingredients
The primary ingredients of Birds Eye Voila! Beef Lo Mein include seasoned cooked beef, traditional lo mein noodles, and a selection of vegetables. Key vegetables in the mix are bok choy, onions, and carrots, which are noted for their freshness and quality. The meal is flavored with a savory sauce that enhances the overall taste of the dish.
Beef: Tender, cooked and seasoned to perfection.
Noodles: Traditional lo mein style, providing a satisfying texture.
Vegetables: Includes bok choy, onions, and carrots.
Savory Sauce: Complements and melds the ingredients together beautifully.
Nutritional Value
Birds Eye Voila! Beef Lo Mein provides a balanced nutritional profile. Each 21 oz bag is designed to offer multiple servings, making it suitable for family meals or leftovers. The specific serving size and nutritional breakdown are as follows:
Serving Size: Approximately 1 cup.
Calories per Serving: Varies, around 230-250.
Total Fat: Approximately 7g.
Saturated Fat: About 1.5g.
Trans Fat: 0g.
Cholesterol: Around 35mg.
Dietary Fiber: Roughly 2g.
Protein: Approximately 12g.
Calcium: Varies, around 4% of Daily Value.
Iron: Contains around 10% of Daily Value.
By providing these nutrients, the meal supports a balanced diet, making it a practical choice for a quick and nutritious meal.
Preparation and Cooking
Birds Eye Voila! Beef Lo Mein is convenient to prepare, whether using a skillet or a microwave. Each method takes about 20 minutes and ensures a tasty meal with minimal effort.
Skillet Instructions
Empty the frozen contents of both the bag and the sauce pouch into a 10-inch nonstick skillet.
Add 1/4 cup of water to the skillet.
Cover the skillet and cook over medium-high heat for about 10 to 11 minutes.
Stir occasionally to ensure even heating.
Once heated through, stir the mixture again and serve.
Cooking in a skillet is the preferred method, as it delivers a well-blended result and maintains the quality of the ingredients.
Microwave Instructions
Pour the frozen contents of both the bag and the sauce pouch into a microwave-safe bowl.
Add 1/4 cup of water to the bowl.
Cover the bowl with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, leaving a small vent for steam to escape.
Microwave on high for about 6 to 7 minutes.
Stir halfway through the cooking time to ensure even heating.
After cooking, let it sit for a few minutes before serving.
Microwaving is a convenient alternative for those seeking an even quicker preparation method, making it a versatile option for busy schedules.
Shelf Life and Storage
Proper storage of Birds Eye Voila! Beef Lo Mein is crucial for maintaining its quality and ensuring food safety. Pay close attention to whether the package is unopened or if the meal has been cooked, as this significantly affects its shelf life and storage conditions.
Unopened Package
When Birds Eye Voila! Beef Lo Mein is kept in its original frozen state, it can last for several months. This skillet meal should be stored at or below 0°F (-18°C). Always check the "best by" date on the packaging for the ideal consumption timeframe.
If properly stored in the freezer, unopened packets retain their taste and nutritional value. It is essential to keep the package sealed to avoid freezer burn, which can deteriorate the food's texture and flavor. Avoid fluctuating temperatures by keeping the freezer door closed as much as possible.
After Cooking
Once cooked, Birds Eye Voila! Beef Lo Mein needs to be handled with care to ensure food safety. It should be consumed within 2 hours of cooking or stored in the refrigerator at or below 40°F (4°C). If refrigerated promptly and correctly, cooked Beef Lo Mein can last 3 to 4 days.
For longer storage, transfer the cooked lo mein to an airtight container and store it in the freezer. Properly stored, it can last for up to 2 months. Label the container with the storage date, so you know when to use it by. Always reheat thoroughly to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) before consuming.
Taste and Quality
The Birds Eye Voila! Beef Lo Mein Skillet Meal offers a blend of savory ingredients resulting in a satisfying meal experience. It combines tender beef, crisp vegetables, and flavorful lo mein noodles.
Flavor Profile
The Beef Lo Mein features a rich, savory sauce that complements the tender strips of beef. The sauce carries a balanced mix of natural flavors and spice extractives that enhance the overall taste without overpowering it. The vegetables such as bok choy, onions, and carrots, add a touch of sweetness and earthiness, making each bite flavorful. Importantly, this meal does not contain artificial flavors, which ensures a more authentic taste.
A slight hint of natural butter flavor adds a smooth feel, balancing the robust beef taste. These combined elements create a well-rounded flavor profile, making the dish both comforting and satisfying.
Texture and Consistency
The texture and consistency of the Beef Lo Mein are crucial to the eating experience. The beef is moist and tender, providing a satisfying bite without being chewy. The lo mein noodles are perfectly cooked, maintaining their firmness and preventing them from becoming mushy.
The vegetables retain some crunch, offering a pleasing contrast to the softness of the noodles and beef. This harmony in textures contributes to an enjoyable eating experience. The sauce evenly coats all components, ensuring each mouthful is consistent in flavor and moisture, without being overly greasy or sticky.
By avoiding artificial flavors and focusing on natural ingredients, the dish achieves both a high-quality texture and consistency.
Dietary Information
Birds Eye Voila! Beef Lo Mein contains specific ingredients that are important for those with food allergies or dietary restrictions. Particular attention should be paid to allergens like wheat, soy, and milk, which are present in this meal.
Allergens
This meal contains several common allergens. Wheat and soy are primary ingredients in the lo mein noodles and sauce, which could pose a risk for individuals with gluten or soy sensitivities. Milk is often used in the sauce, adding to potential allergic concerns.
For a detailed list, here are the allergens:
Wheat: Found in the enriched pasta made from wheat flour.
Soy: Present in the sauce.
Milk: Typically included in the sauce.
These allergens are critical to those with specific dietary needs.
Dietary Restrictions
Birds Eye Voila! Beef Lo Mein is not suitable for those on a gluten-free diet due to wheat flour in the enriched pasta. The inclusion of soy modifies its suitability for soy-free diets. Modified food starch may also contain derivatives from wheat or corn.
This meal is:
Not gluten-free due to wheat components.
Not soy-free due to soy ingredients.
Contains milk products, not dairy-free.
Understanding these dietary details helps consumers make informed choices.
Additional Information
Birds Eye Voila! Beef Lo Mein offers a convenient meal solution with details on packaging, availability, and cost-effectiveness that are essential for understanding the product’s suitability for your needs.
Packaging
Birds Eye Voila! Beef Lo Mein comes in a 21 oz bag, designed to maintain freshness and preserve the quality of its ingredients until preparation. The frozen contents are stored in a sturdy, resealable container with a separate sauce pouch.
This packaging method ensures the meal retains its flavors and nutritional value. There are no preservatives or artificial flavors, which highlights the brand's commitment to providing a wholesome meal. Clear instructions on the package guide users through both stovetop and microwave cooking methods.
Availability
Birds Eye Voila! Beef Lo Mein is widely available in major grocery stores and online platforms. Stores such as Instacart cater to home delivery services, allowing consumers to easily add this meal to their trending cart for convenient shopping.
The product can also be found in the frozen foods aisle of supermarkets, making it accessible to shoppers everywhere. Checking with local stores or the Birds Eye website helps ensure stock availability before making a trip.
Cost-Effectiveness
Birds Eye Voila! Beef Lo Mein offers a valuable meal option at an affordable price, generally ranging around $6 to $8 for a 21 oz bag. This meal is economical when considering the quality of the ingredients and the convenience it provides.
It eliminates the need for additional ingredients, reducing preparation time and associated costs. Restaurants or takeout options with comparable meals typically cost more, making this frozen meal a smart, cost-effective choice for budget-conscious consumers.
