Ground beef is a versatile protein that’s used for an impressive variety of dishes from soups, stews, and casseroles to tacos, hamburgers, baked beans, and even salads. Its biggest drawback is, it spoils easily. You might wonder how long does ground beef last in the fridge, and that’s actually important to know. Let’s discuss all the details, including how to properly store it and make it last longer!
Did you purchase a little too much ground beef during your weekly shopping trip or you don’t have a plan on using it?
That’s okay! All the information below will help you know the shelf life of refrigerated ground beef, tips on freezing and storing it, as well as recipe ideas so none of it goes to waste.
How Long Does Ground Beef Last In The Fridge?
Raw ground beef and cooked ground beef have different shelf lives and it’s good to know these facts.
For some recipes, pre-cooking ground beef works. If you know it won’t last much longer in its raw form, this is a great way to prevent spoilage.
Raw Ground Beef
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends that a package of uncooked ground beef can last up to 2–3 days from the date of purchase.
This is taking into consideration that the package is still sealed. It’s best to avoid opening a package of ground beef, or any type of raw meat, until you’re ready to use it.
The ‘use by’ or ‘sell by’ date on the package factors in a little differently. According to the USDA, this is the last recommended date for using raw meat.
For example, if you buy a package four days before its ‘use by’ date, there’s nothing wrong with using it after the two recommended days.
However, if you won’t be using it during this time, you have to either cook it or freeze it.
Of course, freezing ground beef is the best way to store it for up to months at a time.
However, if you’re going to use it in those first couple of days after purchase, you have to remember its short life in the fridge.
This short life is because raw ground beef is highly susceptible to bacterial growth, especially E. coli.
Bacteria multiplies even rapidly when subjected to the ‘Danger Zone,’ which is temperatures that range between 40°F and 140°F.
The good news is that E. coli can be eliminated by cooking at high temperatures, starting from about 160°F and higher.
Proper storage is also another way to preserve the freshness of this highly perishable food. Also, storing ground beef at temperatures 40°F and lower can also slow down bacteria growth.
Cooked Ground Beef
Once you’ve cooked the ground beef, you can safely store it in the fridge for up to 4 days maximum.
First, make sure it cools down completely. Then, put it in airtight zipper bags or containers and place it on the bottom shelf.
This keeps it safely tucked away and not constantly be subjected to warm air each time someone opens and closes the refrigerator.
How to Tell If Raw Ground Beef Has Gone Bad
Unfortunately, you may have bought a package of ground beef from the supermarket that was already in a questionable state.
Then, when it’s time to use it, you realize there’s something off about it, but you’re not sure what. The best way to quell your doubts is to know the signs of spoiled ground beef.
For starters, fresh, high-quality ground beef has this bright red tint to it. This color comes from the iron-rich protein in the meat, called oxymyoglobin. The more oxymyoglobin content in the meat, the redder it’ll appear.
However, prolonged exposure to air turns this dark red color into a dull, grayish-brown shade.
So, if you notice discoloration on the surface of the ground beef, it means the meat has been exposed to air for too long and is no longer fit for consumption.
Another tell-tale sign is how the ground beef smells. As long as it’s fresh, raw meat is usually odorless.
So, open up the package and do a sniff test. Does it smell sour, almost like rotten eggs? That foul smell is caused by bacterial growth, which definitely means the meat has gone bad.
The final clue is the way the ground beef feels. Generally, fresh ground beef feels slightly damp but smooth at the same time. It should also feel firm if you squeeze it between your fingers.
Thus, if the meat is starting to spoil, the first thing you’ll notice is that it feels sticky or slimy to the touch.
If you suspect the ground beef is starting to go bad, throw it out immediately. The risk to your health and your family’s safety is not worth it.
Then, the next time you buy meat, make sure you’re getting USDA-certified meat. It’s the best way to ensure you’re getting the best and cleanest meat on the market.
The Importance Of Buying USDA-Certified Meats
Thanks to all the technological advances we’ve reached, food safety standards couldn’t be better.
Sometimes harmful bacteria still manage to find their way to ground beef.
This is partly because, unlike other meat types, ground beef goes through several steps before it makes its way to the sealed packages you find in the grocery store.
The most common bacteria in raw meats are E. coli and salmonella. Unfortunately, these don’t alter the smell, texture, or color of the meat. So, you have no way of knowing they’re there until it’s too late.
Even worse, if they come in contact with any of your cooking utensils, they can contaminate those as well. After that, they can easily spread to other foods and surfaces in your kitchen.
One way to avoid all that and reduce the risk of your ground beef harboring any type of bacteria is to choose meats that have been USDA-certified.
Keep in mind this doesn’t mean the meat has become 100% bacteria-proof. It’s simply extra assurance to show that it’s gone through an additional inspection stage as an added measure of precaution.
How To Safely Store Ground Beef In The Refrigerator
Knowing the right way to store raw and cooked meat can spare you the guilt of having to throw away food and waste money. Here are a few things to remember when storing ground beef in the fridge.
Fridge Temperature
The first thing you have to focus on for optimal storage conditions is to keep fridge temperatures at or below 40°F.
Bacteria can’t grow or multiply in cold conditions. That’s why health experts recommend all foods, especially perishable ones, be stored at these low temperatures.
Yet, many people just assume their fridges are cold without really knowing the exact temperature. The best way to check the temperature is to use an appliance thermometer.
Depending on your fridge model, it may already have one built-in. If not, you can easily use an appliance thermometer to ensure the temperature is where it should be to keep your food fresh while slowing down bacterial growth.
The Right Place
Just because your fridge is cold doesn’t mean you can place the ground beef anywhere and call it a day.
This is because certain areas inside the fridge have more stable temperatures, while others are constantly subjected to fluctuating temperatures from opening and closing the doors.
So, the best place to store ground beef is on the bottom shelf, preferably in the back. This rule also applies to other types of raw meat, seafood, and poultry.
The worst place for storing ground beef is in the refrigerator door or on the edge of any shelf. You can, in theory, place it on the edge of the bottom shelf.
The general rule is that the back area has the coldest and most stable temperatures, so I recommend following it for ground beef if you want it to last as long as possible.
Storage Containers
Not only is temperature important, but the type of container you store the ground beef in also plays a vital role in preserving its freshness.
Many people prefer keeping ground beef in its original packaging that came in from the grocery store.
This prevents the juices from spilling or coming into contact with other foods, thus reducing the risk of cross-contamination.
However, if you choose to place the ground beef in a different container, make sure it’s clean and dry.
Also, if you opt for a zipper plastic bag or box, it must be airtight to prevent bacteria from finding their way inside and contaminating the ground beef.
Airtight containers block out moisture and air, which are two primary reasons why food goes bad.
By eliminating them, you can safely preserve your ground beef and keep it fresh and fit for consumption.
How To Freeze Ground Beef
When you know there’s no chance that ground beef will get used in time, freezing it is your only option.
At temperatures below 0°F, ground meats, beef included, lasts 3-4 months.
For store-bought ground beef, keep the original packaging intact, wrap it in clingfilm, aluminum foil, freezer paper, or simply place it in a freezer bag. The point is to prevent freezer burn, so use whatever you have on hand.
If you’ve ground the meat yourself or purchased it fresh from the butcher, place it in a freezer or vacuum-sealed bag before storing it in the freezer. Depending on the quantity, you might want to divide into portions.
Also, date the packages so you know how much time you have to use it.
Tip: Flatten your ground beef packages as much as possible. The larger the surface area, the faster your meat will thaw when you’re ready to use it.
How To Thaw Ground Beef
To thaw ground beef properly you have two options: the fridge or cold water.
The first method is best, while the second is the fastest, so choose one or the other depending on how much time you have.
Even thawing in the fridge will be faster if you flattened the meat packages before freezing them.
For the cold water method, place the packaged ground beef in a bowl or another adequate container and add enough cold water so it stays submerged.
To speed up the process you will need to change the water every 30 minutes or if you’re in a rush, leave the packaged meat under cold running water.
You should also know it’s not safe to refreeze ground beef. In fact, once you thawed it, it’s recommended you use it right away.
Favorite Recipes Using Ground Beef
I’m sure you have a few family favorite recipes using ground beef yourself, but even then, trying some new dishes is great for the sake of culinary variety.
Here, at Kitchen Laughter, we’re devoted fans of grilled and smoked recipes. Whether you choose ground chuck or ground beef, these recipes will be the star of your BBQ parties!
Smoked Hamburgers – Your friends and family will be impressed with these mouthwatering smoked burgers! It’s a relatively quick smoke so it’s perfect for big gatherings.
Smoked Chili – You might want to smoke some extra hamburgers for this amazing smoked chili. Once you try it you’ll only want this version!
Grilled Smoky Meatloaf – Swap the oven for the grill next time you’re making meatloaf. The smoky flavor makes it incredibly delicious.
Grilled Kobe Beef Cheeseburger Kebabs – While we used kobe beef for these yummy kebabs, you can definitely swap it for regular ground beef. This is excellent finger food and the meatballs grill really fast! Heck, I’ll eat them as a BBQ Side Dish at a cookout and pass on the veggies.
Final Words
Knowing how long ground beef lasts in the fridge is vital for your safety and well-being.
The important thing to remember is that uncooked ground beef has an extremely short shelf life. So, it needs to be dealt with quickly or, if not possible, simply store it in the freezer until you’re ready to cook it.
Alternatively, cooked ground beef can last only a couple of days longer. After that, it’ll start losing its delicious flavor and eventually go bad.
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Ginny Collins is a passionate foodie and recipe creator of Savor and Savvy and Kitchenlaughter. Indoors she focuses on easy, quick recipes for busy families and kitchen basics. Outdoors, she focuses on backyard grilling and smoking to bring family and friends together. She is a lifelong learner who is always taking cooking classes on her travels overseas and stateside. Her work has been featured on MSN, Parade, Fox News, Yahoo, Cosmopolitan, Elle, and many local news outlets. She lives in Florida where you will find her outside on the water in her kayak, riding her bike on trails, and planning her next overseas adventure.
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