On your most recent trip to the grocery store, you bought a package of ground beef. You placed the parcel of ground beef into your fridge.
When you were getting ready to cook the ground beef two days later, you realized the sell-by date had passed.
After the sell-by date, you begin to doubt whether the ground beef is still edible and whether you can still cook it.
We must address the issue of expiration dates before we can answer the question of how long ground beef remains edible after the sell-by date.
Most people believe that food must be thrown away on the date printed on the package because expiration dates are clear-cut.
However, The FDA only requires expiration dates for infant formula. No other food item is required by the FDA to have an expiration date.
The majority of food products have a product date because it is required by local authorities. There are different types of food product dates.
The best before or best if used by dates, for instance, show how long the food item is anticipated to keep its best quality and flavor.
Therefore, it has nothing to do with food safety, and as long as the products are stored properly, you don’t have to throw away the products after the expiration date.
The package of ground beef’s sell-by date informs the vendor how long it can remain in the meat display case.
Again, this date has nothing to do with food safety. The last day the ground beef can be displayed is estimated using the producer’s best judgment.
What will bad ground beef smell like?
Spoiled ground beef will have a pungent, putrid smell. Generally, ground beef that is safe to eat has little to no odor.
Can ground beef smell a little but not expired?
All ground beef has a slight aroma of iron. While the smell of ground beef getting close to its expiration date may be slightly more noticeable, it is still safe to eat. However, a product should be thrown away if it has a strong, noticeable odor because it is probably spoiled.
Is it OK to cook grey ground beef?
It is typical for the outside of a package of ground beef to be red or pink, while the interior may be grey or brown. This is brought on by a deficiency in oxygen in the beef’s center.
However, if the outside of the ground beef is grey, it should not be cooked or eaten and should be thrown away.
Ground beef is very popular but highly perishable.
You can tell if your ground beef has gone bad using a few easy methods, such as observing changes in color, odor, and texture.
Despite the fact that the bacteria that cause meat to spoil are typically not harmful, when it goes bad, other disease-causing microorganisms may proliferate. You should always thoroughly cook meat and stay away from consuming undercooked or spoiled ground beef to lower your risk of illness.
Healthline adheres to strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. Last medical review: June 14, 2023 We avoid using tertiary references. Read our to find out more about how we make sure that our information is accurate and current.
- Cooper, JV, et al. Communication quickly: Effects of modern lighting on the oxidation of fresh ground beef pubmed. ncbi. nlm. nih. gov/27898846/.
- Ground beef and food safety. (2016).fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/meat/ground-beef-and-food-safety
- Iulietto, MF, et al. (2015) Meat spoilage: A review of a neglected change brought on by bacteria that produce ropy slime tandfonline. com/doi/full/10. 4081/ijas. 2015. 4011.
- Weinroth, MD, et al. (2019). Changes in the microbiome of ground beef result from antimicrobial decontamination procedures and product storage ncbi. nlm. nih. gov/pmc/articles/PMC6550395/.
Our experts closely follow the health and wellness sector, and whenever fresh information is released, we update our articles.
Jerlyn Jones, MS MPA RDN LD CLT
Natalie Butler, RD, LD
Christina Guzik, BA, MBA
Ask the Test Kitchen: How Long Will Meat Last in the Fridge?
FAQ
Is ground beef good 4 days after sell-by date?
A product’s sell-by date informs the retailer how long it can be offered for sale. Up to two days after this date, ground beef can be kept in the fridge and eaten without risk. The “best before” date, which is also the expiration date, lets you know when the product will probably start to go bad.
Can I eat ground beef past the sell-by date?
Expiration date A person does not necessarily need to throw away any products after their “best before” date if they correctly and safely store their meat. Up to two days after this date, people can safely eat ground beef that has been refrigerated. It is advised to consume ground beef within four months of freezing.
How long is ground beef good for after buying from store?
Place your ground beef on the lowest shelf of your refrigerator on a plate or tray to catch any juices that may drip and prevent cross-contamination if you decide to refrigerate it. The Food Safety Inspection Services of the USDA state that ground beef has a shelf life of one to two days after purchase.
How long can raw ground beef stay in the fridge?
Make sure to thaw your ground beef in the refrigerator before using it to maintain its cold temperature. Raw meat can be kept frozen for up to four months and kept in the refrigerator for one to two days.