Can you believe that ground beef only keeps well in the refrigerator for a few days? It’s true, and after that, it can start to spoil and make you ill. Check out this blog post to learn how to tell when to throw out your used ground beef.
Safely Keeping Thawed Ground Beef in the Fridge
Ground beef that’s been defrosted in the fridge can be safely kept for an additional one to two days in the refrigerator before cooking, says the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The USDA also advises that since you thawed the ground beef in the refrigerator, you can safely refreeze it within that same time frame.
On the other hand, none of this would be applicable if the ground beef had been thawed in a microwave or cold water.
The USDA recommends cooking any meat that has been thawed using one of those methods right away because it could easily reach the temperature of 40°F, where dangerous bacteria can quickly start to multiply.
See Also:
How to Quickly Thaw Ground Beef | The Know It All Guide | FYI
FAQ
How long is thawed ground beef good for in fridge?
The raw ground beef can be kept in the fridge for one to two days after it has thawed. Before cooking, all other beef cuts can be safely stored in the refrigerator for an additional 3 to 5 days. If you decide not to use the beef during this time, you can safely freeze it again without cooking.
Is ground beef good after 3 days in fridge?
Ground beef can be kept in the fridge for a couple of days, but it must be consumed within four days. Ground beef can be kept in the freezer for up to 4 months. The minimum internal temperature for ground beef, as determined by a food thermometer, is 160°F (71°C).
How long after defrosting beef should it be cooked?
Cook meat and poultry products in the following time frames once they have been defrosted: Ground meat, stew meat, poultry, and seafood should all be prepared within one to two days. Red meat cuts (such as roasts, chops, and steaks of beef, pork, or lamb) should be prepared within 3 to 5 days.
How do you know if ground beef is bad after thawing?
Here’s what to look for if you want to know how to tell if ground beef is bad after thawing: “Generally speaking, when you thaw frozen ground beef, if it has an odor, feels slimy to touch (and not just wet), or is off-color, it’s likely best to toss,” says Shaw.