How does frying help prepare meat for frozen meals?

Frying serves several essential functions in preparing meat for frozen meals:

• Cooking and Safety: Frying cooks the meat, which is necessary to eliminate pathogens like bacteria. For some products, such as fried chicken, the meat is completely precooked during this process.1
• Flavor and Texture: The process creates desirable flavors and enhances the aroma of the food.1
• Moisture Retention: The hot oil sears the surface of the meat, which helps minimize moisture loss during the cooking process.1
• Binding: When meat is coated with breading, frying helps bind the batter to the surface. The oil retained in this breading layer further improves the texture and aroma of the final product.1
• Preparation for Reheating: For certain delicate foods like fish, the meat is only pre-fried for a short time to set the breading, with the actual cooking occurring when the consumer reheats the meal.1