{"id":4057,"date":"2022-07-22T08:47:40","date_gmt":"2022-07-22T08:47:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pitmastercentral.com\/?p=4057"},"modified":"2023-06-29T09:53:13","modified_gmt":"2023-06-29T09:53:13","slug":"how-long-does-ground-beef-last-in-the-fridge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pitmastercentral.com\/how-long-does-ground-beef-last-in-the-fridge\/","title":{"rendered":"How Long Does Ground Beef Last in the Fridge (Explained)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The short answer is that raw ground beef can only last 1 to 2 days in the refrigerator. Ground beef<\/a> has the shortest shelf life of all processed meats. When minced and unseasoned, it can spoil quickly in the fridge. So, I would advise you to consume it within 24 hours after purchase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I have a soft spot for pasta Bolognese, hamburgers, and sausages. They’re my favorites whenever I crave Midwestern or Italian cuisine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since they all involve the use of ground beef, there is one question I always have: how long does ground beef last in the fridge? From fresh to cooked ground beef, these are the answers.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Can I Store Packaged Ground Beef in the Fridge?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You can certainly store raw, packaged minced meat in the refrigerator. But what’s the right refrigeration temperature? I recommend a temperature of around 28 to 32 degrees Fahrenheit for this type of meat.<\/p>\n\n\n

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You can leave the ground beef in a plastic container for storage. Likewise, you should not remove the foil to protect the food from environmental influences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Refrigerate Ground Beef Properly?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You can freeze the ground beef in small portions, whether it’s raw or cooked. Make it cool down to minus 1 degrees when you read the temperature with a food thermometer. Freezer bags are suitable for this. You can flatten the bags after filling them with the meat so that no oxygen remains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ideally, you should keep the ground meat on the level directly above the vegetable compartment or crisper drawer. This is usually the coolest part of most refrigerators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can keep fresh ground meat from the butcher in the fridge for 24 hours. The earlier you process it, the better. With packaged minced meat from the supermarket, it’s important that you don’t exceed the best-before date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, ensure the specified storage temperature. Discard it immediately if the meat smells sour and is dark in color. You don’t want to risk getting diarrhea and other food-borne illnesses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tip: Write the freezing date on the freezer bag. You can freeze fatty ground beef for up to four weeks, while lean ground beef can last for up to six months in the freezer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Long Does Raw Ground Beef Last in the Fridge?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Raw ground beef from a butcher’s shop that was only put into the mincer when you ordered it can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. Meanwhile, unlike raw meat, cooked ground beef can last for up to four days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you bought the ready-made ground beef from the refrigerated counter, you can’t be sure how long the ground beef has been on the counter. In that case, you’re on the safe side if you don’t store the ground beef in your fridge for more than 12 hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you decide to buy pre-packaged ground beef from the supermarket, you should use it on the same day. Ideally, you should only store it in your fridge for a few hours. This refers to the minced meat sold in small styrofoam bowls wrapped in foil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you buy minced meat sealed in plastic, this meat is vacuum-packed. This means that the oxygen has been completely sucked out of the pack and replaced with nitrogen. This process does not affect the minced meat or your health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here, nitrogen deprives the harmful bacteria of their means of survival (oxygen). As a result, the microorganisms cannot multiply and spoil your minced meat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ensure that the pack is completely undamaged. Small holes in the foil will allow some oxygen to get in and spoil the minced meat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Long Can Packaged Ground Beef Be Kept in the Fridge?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA),you should consume packaged ground beef within 24-48 hours<\/u><\/a> from the time of purchase. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Minced meat is a relatively sensitive food that reacts strongly to environmental influences. <\/p>\n\n\n

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Therefore, the shelf life is not particularly long. Although spoilage is not always immediately evident, microorganisms accumulate quickly on fresh minced meat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Long Does Fried Ground Beef Last in the Fridge?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Fried, processed ground meat can stay in the refrigerator for around 4 days. Cooked meat can also last as long as that. This is provided you don’t interrupt the cold chain. Otherwise, bacteria, which multiply rapidly, will spoil the meat sooner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Editor’s tip: If you want to store minced meat in the fridge for a short time, we recommend the lower compartment. The bottom shelf of the fridge<\/u><\/a> is cooler than the upper compartments. Why you may ask, when the actual cooling happens in the freezer compartment above? Well, this is because cold air is denser and sinks while hot air is lighter and rises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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