How long ground beef

Information Quality. Privacy Policy. New Farmers. Disaster Resource Center. An official website of the United States government. Have a Question? How long can you freeze ground beef? Information Knowledge Article. Ground beef is safe indefinitely if kept frozen, but it is best if used within 4 months. Ground beef that is fine to consume should have a relatively firm consistency that breaks apart when a person squeezes it.

But a sticky or slimy texture may indicate the presence of spoilage bacteria. This may be the result of ropy slime-forming bacteria. This bacteria can release volatile compounds that may cause slime to form on the surface of the meat. To avoid potentially spreading bacteria, it is advisable for people to thoroughly wash their hands after handling raw meat. Another way to tell if ground beef has gone bad is by simply smelling it.

Normal, safe, fresh ground beef should not have a noticeable or unpleasant smell. Multiplying spoilage bacteria can cause a strong odor to occur. But it is important to remember that pathogenic bacteria may not cause a bad smell. So if there is not a bad scent but the ground beef is displaying other signs that it has gone bad, it is still advisable to discard the meat.

The Food and Drug Administration FDA do not require there be an expiration date label on any food products except infant formula. But because there are localized rules surrounding these dates, most food products do tend to have a date on them. It is safe for people to consume refrigerated ground beef up to 2 days past this date. If freezing, it is advisable to eat ground beef within 4 months. Click here to learn more about freezing and storing meat. If a person has stored the meat at too high a temperature, or the packaging is torn or leaking, it is possible that bacteria has contaminated the ground beef.

People should be cautious if they suspect that ground beef may be bad. By consuming potentially spoiled meat, people run the risk of developing food poisoning. Symptoms of food poisoning may include :. Outbreaks of food poisoning linked to ground beef are relatively common in the U. Bacteria that may cause these outbreaks include Salmonella , Escherichia coli E.

While many infections resulting from these bacteria can be mild, in some cases they can be life threatening. In order to avoid foodborne illnesses, people should follow the four guidelines laid out by the U. People should ensure that their refrigerator and freezer are the correct temperature to keep their food safe. It is safe to store ground beef in the refrigerator for 1—2 days , and eat leftovers within 4 days.

So how long does ground beef actually last in the fridge? And how can we make it last longer? Here's what you need to know. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but raw ground beef only lasts one to two days in the fridge, according to FoodSafety. Although, there are a few extra measures you can take to try and extend the shelf life of your ground beef.

First, the quality of the ground beef you buy will inevitably affect its shelf life or the period of time for which the food can be stored before the quality deteriorates. Your best bet is to purchase high-quality ground beef for the longest shelf life.

You'll also want to pay attention to how you store it. Keep unopened, store-bought ground beef in its original packaging, and store it in the bottom shelf of the refrigerator towards the back. Say you've cooked up a pound of ground beef for taco night , how long will that last you in the fridge?