The study analysed the effect of frozen storage duration (FSD: 0, 1, 9, 15 or 21 months) and display duration(DD: 0–24 h post-slaughter-, 3 and 6 days) in modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) on lamb quality. pH, colour,lipid oxidation, water holding capacity and instrumental texture were performed on Longissimus muscle indisplayed fresh and thawed meat. FSD affected all the variables showing lower differences between fresh and1 month storage than among them and long er FSD. Only cooking losses were not affected by DD in thawedmeats. It was observe d a general decrease in quality (lower red ness and water holding capacity; higheryellowness and lipid oxidation) as FSD or DD increased and only texture was improved over DD being thawedmeat more tender. In conclusion, lamb storage at − 18 °C should not exceed 1 month if thawed meat would belater displayed in MAP while meat would have an acceptable quality up to 21 months without subsequentdisplay