Have you ever found yourself staring at that package of raw chicken in your fridge, wondering if it’s still safe to cook? You’re not alone! This common kitchen dilemma has sparked countless discussions on Reddit, with home cooks seeking advice from the online community. Let’s dive into what Reddit users say about raw chicken storage and compare it with expert food safety guidelines.
The Reddit Consensus on Raw Chicken Storage
According to most Reddit users on food-related subreddits like r/Cooking and r/FoodSafety raw chicken has a relatively short shelf life in the refrigerator. The general consensus aligns with food safety experts
Raw chicken typically lasts only 1-2 days in the refrigerator when stored properly.
This timeframe applies to all types of raw chicken, including:
- Whole chickens
- Chicken breasts
- Chicken thighs
- Ground chicken
As one Redditor put it: “I never keep raw chicken more than 2 days in the fridge. Better safe than sorry with poultry!”
Proper Storage Methods According to Reddit
Reddit users emphasize several storage techniques to maximize freshness and safety
- Store raw chicken on the bottom shelf of your fridge (never the top!)
- Place chicken on a plate or in a shallow container to catch any potential drips
- Keep the original packaging or transfer to an airtight container
- Maintain your refrigerator temperature at or below 40°F (4°C)
A popular comment from a Reddit thread states “I always put my chicken in a ziplock bag and then in a bowl on the bottom shelf, No chance of cross-contamination that way”
Signs of Spoilage: Reddit’s Warning Signs
Reddit users frequently discuss how to tell if raw chicken has spoiled. Common indicators mentioned include:
- Strong, unpleasant odor (described as “sour” or “ammonia-like”)
- Slimy or sticky texture
- Color changes (gray, green, or yellowish tints)
- Visible mold
One Redditor shared this experience: “If it smells funky at all, don’t risk it. I once thought chicken that was only 3 days old would be fine, but the smell was off. Trust your nose!”
Extending Shelf Life: Reddit Tips
For those wanting to maximize their chicken’s freshness, Reddit offers several suggestions:
Freezing Raw Chicken
Reddit users overwhelmingly recommend freezing raw chicken if you don’t plan to use it within two days. Properly frozen chicken can last 9-12 months while maintaining quality.
“I pretty much always freeze chicken right away unless I’m cooking it that night or the next day,” writes one Reddit user. “It thaws quickly in cold water when I need it.”
Proper Freezing Techniques
Reddit users suggest:
- Dividing chicken into meal-sized portions before freezing
- Double-wrapping in freezer-safe plastic or using vacuum sealing
- Labeling packages with the date
- Thawing safely in the refrigerator or cold water
Reddit Debates: Sell-By vs. Use-By Dates
There’s significant discussion on Reddit about whether to trust package dates:
“The sell-by date isn’t the same as when it goes bad,” notes one Redditor. “I usually give chicken 1-2 days past the sell-by date max, but only if it looks and smells fresh.”
Most users agree that sensory indicators (smell, appearance, texture) are more reliable than dates printed on packaging.
Marinating Raw Chicken: Reddit’s Take
Reddit has plenty of discussions about marinating chicken safely:
- Marinated chicken should still follow the 1-2 day refrigeration rule
- Store marinating chicken in leak-proof containers
- Never reuse marinade that has touched raw chicken
- Some acidic marinades may slightly extend shelf life but not significantly
“I like to marinate chicken overnight, but never more than 24 hours total in the fridge,” writes a cooking enthusiast on Reddit.
Common Reddit Questions About Raw Chicken Storage
Can you store raw chicken with other meats?
While technically possible if properly contained, most Reddit users advise against storing raw chicken alongside other raw meats. The consensus is to keep chicken in sealed containers separate from other foods to prevent cross-contamination.
What if chicken has been left out at room temperature?
Reddit users align with food safety guidelines on this one:
- If raw chicken has been left at room temperature for more than 2 hours, throw it out
- In temperatures above 90°F (32°C), discard after just 1 hour
- No exceptions, even if you plan to cook it thoroughly
Does cooking kill all bacteria in chicken?
There’s mixed information on Reddit about this topic. While cooking chicken to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) kills most harmful bacteria, Reddit users correctly point out that some bacteria produce toxins that aren’t destroyed by heat.
As one Redditor explains: “Cooking kills the bacteria but not necessarily the toxins they’ve already produced if the chicken was stored improperly.”
Reddit vs. Official Food Safety Guidelines
When comparing Reddit advice to official guidelines from organizations like the USDA and FDA, there’s generally strong alignment:
| Storage Method | Reddit Consensus | Official Guidelines |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigeration | 1-2 days | 1-2 days |
| Freezing | 9-12 months | 9-12 months |
| Room temp | Discard after 2 hours | Discard after 2 hours |
| Safe cooking temp | 165°F (74°C) | 165°F (74°C) |
Should You Trust Reddit for Food Safety Advice?
Reddit can be a valuable resource for food safety information, but users should approach with caution. As one Redditor wisely states:
“I love getting cooking tips from Reddit, but for food safety, I always double-check with official sources like the USDA website.”
The best approach is to use Reddit as a starting point but verify important safety information with authoritative sources. Many Reddit users actually link to official food safety resources in their responses.
My Personal Experience with Raw Chicken Storage
In my kitchen, I follow a simple rule for raw chicken: use it within 24 hours or freeze it immediately. I’ve found that storing chicken in its original packaging inside another sealed container on the bottom shelf works best for preventing cross-contamination.
If I’m unsure about chicken’s freshness, I always err on the side of caution. The cost of replacing questionable chicken is far less than dealing with foodborne illness!
Final Thoughts on Raw Chicken Storage
When it comes to storing raw chicken, Reddit’s collective wisdom generally aligns with food safety experts. The 1-2 day refrigeration guideline is the safest approach, with freezing recommended for longer storage.
Remember these key takeaways:
- Raw chicken only lasts 1-2 days in the fridge
- Store on the bottom shelf in sealed containers
- Trust your senses – if it smells off, throw it out
- When in doubt, throw it out!
What about you? Do you have any special techniques for storing raw chicken safely? Have you found Reddit food safety advice helpful? Share your experiences in the comments below!
Disclaimer: This article summarizes Reddit discussions about food safety but should not replace professional advice. Always follow proper food safety guidelines from reputable sources like the CDC, USDA, or FDA.
How long does raw chicken last in the fridge?
The USDA recommends cooking chicken one or two days after you buy it. If that seems conservative and sooner than the sell-by date on the package, thats because it is — but theres a reason for that. The sell-by, use-by or freeze-by date may be as long as a week from when you bought it, but thats just the chicken producers guess as to how long the chicken will be at optimal taste before it starts deteriorating in quality.
As many in this Reddit thread and others assert, you can probably split the difference without serious ramifications, but you should never eat chicken thats been in the fridge for more than three or four days. The reason why chicken isnt necessarily safe to eat until that sell-by date is two-fold:
For one, that date isnt issued by a regulating body, but rather by the brand. While poultry brands do have to consider consumer safety, their chief goal is enticing retailers to buy their product. The longer its “good for,” the better chance theyll have of making a larger sale.
The other reason is that grocery store meat fridges and coolers are usually colder than your average home refrigerators. A normal fridge has to keep meat cold without freezing delicate vegetables and other groceries. Supermarket meat coolers only need to keep meat cold, so they can be at lower resting temperatures. Chicken kept at a colder temperature is naturally going to last longer.
Can I eat chicken that’s been in the fridge for more than two days?
The USDA recommends not storing raw chicken in the fridge for more than two days. From our experience, three to four days should be OK, provided youre within the use-by or sell-by date. Beyond this, avoid consuming the chicken.
How long does Chicken last in the fridge?
FAQ
How long does raw chicken last in the fridge?
When googling, most sites say that raw chicken will keep from 1-2 days in the fridge. But I noticed that a lot of the packages have “sell by [a date 2 weeks from now]” on them. For example I bought a package of raw chicken drumsticks from Trader Joe’s 2 days ago. It says “Sell by: June 25th” on it. How is that possible?
How long after buying raw chicken can you eat it?
If after purchasing your raw chicken, you immediately stored it in your refrigerator, then use its “sell-by” date as your gauge to start the clock on how much time you have before your meat goes bad. According to the USDA, “Fresh chicken, turkey, ground meat, and ground poultry should be cooked or frozen within 1 to 2 days of purchase.”
Should chicken be refrigerated?
By keeping the chicken sealed, you reduce the risk of bacteria spreading to other items in the fridge. It is also advisable to keep the refrigerator temperature at or below 40°F (4°C) to ensure that the chicken remains at a safe temperature.
How long does frozen chicken last?
Once it’s frozen, the meat will keep indefinitely—it will just lose some of its original moisture if you store it in the freezer too long. Another option might be to cook the chicken off and save the leftovers for another day. Cooked chicken should keep for 3 to 4 days with the proper storage. That buys you a decent amount of time.
Can You refreeze raw chicken?
You can refreeze raw chicken, but it simply has to be done right. It can only go back in the freezer if it was thawed in the fridge — rather than at room temperature, in the microwave, or in cold water — and it wasn’t defrosted for more than 24 hours before putting it back in the freezer.
How long does raw chicken take to cook?
When you’re buying fresh poultry in this manner, ask the farmer how long you’ll have to cook the meat after bringing it home. Chances are, it will be several days —possibly even a week or more. After 2 days, your raw chicken should still be perfectly fine.
Is raw chicken ok in the fridge for 5 days?
Is raw chicken ok in the fridge for 3 days reddit?
So the 2 day figure from the USDA is a very conservative time frame, and chicken will definitely last longer in the fridge than that. That said, chicken is good until it’s not. Check to see if it smells off, feels weird, and so on. You’ll know immediately if it’s not good anymore.
Is 5 days too long for chicken?
While cooked chicken can last up to 4 days (5 is pushing it), raw chicken has a much shorter lifespan. Raw chicken is safe to eat at or before the expiration date and one or two days after buying it when purchased from the butcher or meat counter and not in a sealed package.
Is raw meat ok in the fridge for 4 days?