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 Long Does Raw Ground Beef Last In the Fridge?
FAQ
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.
Is raw beef OK for 5 days in fridge?
Roasts, steaks, and chops made of beef, veal, lamb, and pork can be kept for 3 to 5 days. Meat, poultry, and seafood can be safely kept in the refrigerator for three to four days after cooking.
Is thawed ground beef good after 4 days 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.
How long can you eat beef after defrosted?
When food has defrosted, it should be used right away (within a day).