How long does ground beef last in the fridge?

Raw ground beef keeps 1 to 2 days in the fridge at 40°F (4°C) or colder. Cooked ground beef keeps 3 to 4 days. Those are the US government's storage times, and they apply to ground turkey, chicken and pork too, and to what UK readers call mince. If you will not cook raw ground beef within two days of buying it, freeze it.

Why does raw ground beef keep for so little time?

Grinding spreads any bacteria from the surface of the meat all the way through it, and gives them far more surface to grow on. A whole steak keeps 3 to 5 days raw; the same beef ground keeps 1 to 2. Use the "use by" date on the pack if it is sooner.

How long does cooked ground beef last?

3 to 4 days in the fridge, as long as it went in within 2 hours of cooking (1 hour if the room is hotter than 90°F). That covers taco meat, chili, bolognese sauce and burrito bowl filling. Cook it to 160°F (71°C) first; colour is not a reliable test. Spread it out in shallow containers so it chills quickly. Recipes built on it: beef burrito bowls and ground beef and broccoli rice bowls.

How long does it last in the freezer?

Raw ground beef keeps its best quality for 3 to 4 months frozen; cooked ground beef dishes for 2 to 3 months. Frozen at 0°F (-18°C), both stay safe for longer, but they dry out. Freeze in flat bags with the air pressed out to avoid freezer burn; see how to prevent freezer burn.

How do you thaw it safely?

In the fridge overnight is best: raw ground beef thawed this way can then be kept another 1 to 2 days. Thawed in cold water or the microwave, cook it straight away. Never thaw it on the counter. The methods are in how to thaw meal prep safely.

How can you tell if ground beef has gone bad?

• A sour or unpleasant smell.
• A slimy or sticky surface.
• Grey or brown all the way through on raw meat is not on its own a sign of spoilage, because the inside of a pack often turns grey without air. Smell and texture matter more.

The bacteria that cause food poisoning usually do not change how meat looks or smells, though, so go by the dates above and throw it out when in doubt.

How should you reheat cooked ground beef?

Until it is steaming hot all the way through, 165°F (74°C). Add a splash of water so it does not dry out, and reheat only the portion you are eating. See how to reheat meal prep.

Sources

• FoodSafety.gov: cold food storage chart
• USDA: leftovers and food safety
• FoodSafety.gov: safe minimum internal temperatures