How Long Will Beef Last in the Fridge? Your Complete Guide to Maximizing Freshness
Figuring out how long beef will last in the fridge is an essential kitchen skill As a staple protein for many households, having fresh, safe beef on hand is a priority But with confusion around expiration dates, safe storage times, and signs of spoilage, it can be tricky to know if your beef is still good to eat or ready for the trash.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll uncover everything you need to know about maximizing the shelf life of beef in the refrigerator With tips for proper storage, decoding expiration dates, identifying spoilage, and safe handling, you’ll gain the knowledge needed to keep your beef fresh and delicious. Let’s dive in!
How to Store Beef for Maximum Freshness
Proper storage is the number one factor impacting how long beef will last in the fridge. Follow these guidelines to keep your beef fresher for longer:
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Temperature – Store beef at 40°F or below. The back/bottom shelves tend to be the coldest spots.
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Packaging – Leave beef in original airtight packaging or tightly rewrap in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Minimizes air exposure.
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Prevention of Cross-Contamination – Store beef on bottom shelf of fridge to prevent juices from dripping onto other foods. Never place raw beef above other items.
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Freezing for Long-Term Storage – For bulk purchases or longer storage, divide beef into portions and freeze immediately. Helps beef stay fresh for 4-12 months.
Following safe refrigerator temperatures, avoiding cross-contamination, freezing beef properly, and limiting air exposure are the best ways to extend the shelf life of fresh beef.
How to Read Expiration and Use-By Dates on Beef
Expiration and use-by dates can be helpful guidelines, but they don’t necessarily mean your beef has gone bad. Here are some tips for decoding beef date labels:
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Sell-By Date – Indicates freshness timeline for retailers, not consumers. Beef will stay fresh for about 3-5 days after this date if properly stored.
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Use-By Date – Last date recommended for use at peak quality. Beef may still be safe to eat shortly after if there are no signs of spoilage.
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Best Before Date – Recommended date for best flavor/quality. Refrigerated beef is still safe to eat after this date if properly handled.
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Expiration Date – Final date indicating the end of shelf life. Do not consume beef past this date even if it looks or smells fine.
While these dates are helpful indicators, your eyes, nose and common sense should ultimately determine if beef is spoiled or not. Don’t rely on dates alone.
What are the Signs of Spoiled Beef?
Learning how to identify spoiled beef is critical for food safety. Signs that indicate beef is past its prime include:
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Slimy or sticky texture on the surface
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Unpleasant sour, rancid or rotten smell
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Change in color from bright red to gray, green or brown
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Mold growth anywhere on the beef
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Weird sweet or metallic smell
If you notice any of these signs, don’t risk eating the beef. Remember, when in doubt, throw it out!
Safe Handling and Cooking Guidelines
Proper handling and cooking is also essential for safety and maximizing how long beef lasts. Follow these tips:
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Wash hands before and after handling raw beef
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Use separate cutting boards and utensils for raw beef to avoid cross-contamination
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Cook beef thoroughly to safe internal temperatures (145°F for steaks and roasts, 160°F for ground beef)
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Refrigerate or freeze leftovers within 2 hours and use within 3-4 days
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Thaw frozen beef safely in the fridge overnight vs. countertop to avoid bacterial growth
By being diligent about safe handling procedures, you can keep your fresh beef fresher for longer!
The Bottom Line
Mastering beef storage requires paying attention to temperature control, packaging, expiration dates, signs of spoilage and safe handling practices. With the right techniques, you can maximize the shelf life of fresh beef in the fridge by up to 4-7 days for steaks and roasts and just 1-2 days for ground beef.
Trust your senses, follow safety guidelines, and monitor fridge temperatures and expiration dates. By learning how to store beef properly and recognize when it’s past its prime, you can reduce food waste and keep your family safe from foodborne illness when cooking up delicious beef meals.
How long will raw beef stay in the fridge?
When meat is ground, it creates more surface area for air and bacteria to come into contact with, meaning ground meats, although budget friendly, are likely to spoil more quickly than in-tact pieces of meat like steaks, chops, or ribs. This means that while whole pieces of raw beef have a shelf life of three to five days in the refrigerator, ground beef should be used within one to two days.Â
Whether ground or in whole pieces, raw beef is safe to be stored in the packaging it was purchased in. However, itâs best practice to place it on a plate and store it on the lowest shelf in the refrigerator. This way, you can ensure that any accidental drippings wont contaminate other items in the fridge.Â
If you donât plan on using raw ground beef within one to two days or whole pieces of raw beef within three to five, consider freezing the raw beef. It can still be kept in its original packaging, but itâs best to wrap it in another layer of plastic wrap and place it in a freezer-safe zipper bag. Like raw poultry, raw beef will last indefinitely in the freezer. Still, for optimal quality, ground beef should be used within four months, and other cuts within four to twelve.Â
How long will cooked beef last in the fridge?
Leftovers are one of lifeâs greatest gifts â your past self, making sure future you has something good to eat when you donât feel like cooking. However, when it comes to beef, youâve got a short window of time to make sure what youâre eating is still fresh-tasting and safe to eat. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), that window of time is three to four days.Â
After three to four days, beef is more likely to become susceptible to spoilage bacteria, which can grow at cold temperatures. Spoilage bacteria causes beef to develop bad tastes and smells, but it will most likely not make you sick. Still, it will make beef unpleasant to eat, so itâs best to toss it after four days.Â
Ask the Test Kitchen: How Long Will Meat Last in the Fridge?
FAQ
Is raw beef OK for 5 days in fridge?
For raw ground meats, poultry, seafood and variety meats (liver, tongue, chitterlings, etc.), refrigerate them only 1 to 2 days before either cooking or freezing. Beef, veal, lamb and pork roasts, steaks and chops may be kept 3 to 5 days.
Can I eat beef after 7 days in the fridge?
Is raw ground beef good after 7 days? Raw ground beef is generally not safe to consume after 7 days in the refrigerator.
Can ground beef last 7 days in the fridge?
A package of ground beef can stay in the fridge for up to two days from the date of purchase, as recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. By day two, it’s best to either cook the ground beef or freeze it. Freezing ground beef is a great long-term solution, as it can last in the freezer for months.
Can beef last 6 days in the fridge?
Regardless of whether they’re beef or lamb, fresh (uncooked) steaks, roasts, and chops will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 5 days, on average.
How long does ground beef last in the fridge?
Raw ground beef has a shorter fridge life of just 1 to 2 days. This is because ground beef has more surface area exposed to air and bacteria. Keep ground beef on the bottom shelf of the fridge where temperatures are coldest. Make sure to use it by 1 to 2 days or freeze for longer storage.
How long does meat last in the fridge?
If you follow the correct way of refrigerating meat, you will surely extend its shelf life. Read next: How to Tell If a Potato Is Moldy? See our full guide for how long meat lasts in the fridge. Beef, pork, lamb, and veal – cooked or raw – lasts about 3 to 5 days. Poultry 1 to 2 days.
How long can beef be stored in the fridge?
Beef cuts can generally be categorized into two groups: larger cuts (steaks, roasts) and smaller cuts (ground beef, stew meat). Each category has different recommended storage durations. Steaks: Steaks such as ribeye, sirloin, and T-bone can generally be stored in the refrigerator for about 3 to 5 days after purchase.
How long does roast beef last in the fridge?
Roasts: Larger roasts, like chuck or brisket, can last for 4 to 7 days when kept in the refrigerator. Ground Beef: Because it is more susceptible to bacterial growth, ground beef should be consumed within 1 to 2 days of sale if kept in the refrigerator. Stew Meat: Similar to ground beef, stew meat should also be used within 2 to 3 days of purchase.
Does beef expire?
Understanding the basics of beef expiration is crucial for ensuring the safety of the meat you have stored in your fridge. Beef typically has a limited shelf life, and factors such as storage temperature, packaging, and handling can all affect how long it stays fresh.
How long does cooked beef last?
Store leftover cooked beef in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where it can last for 3 to 4 days. If you want to extend the shelf life, consider freezing the cooked beef, which is safe for about 2 to 6 months.