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How Long Can Raw Hamburger Meat Stay In The Fridge?
To put it simply, raw hamburger meat can stay in the fridge for up to one to two days only. After this, it will start to go bad as it is a perishable item and requires to be stored in lower temperatures (if it has to be stored for a longer period of time).
Raw or uncooked burger meat only keeps for 1 to 2 days in the refrigerator, 3 to 4 months in the freezer when stored properly. Cooked ground beef will last 3-5 days in the refrigerator, and you can keep ground meat in the freezer up to 4 months. A bag of ground beef can last up to two days in the fridge after it is purchased, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. Either store the ground beef in its original package in the fridge for up to two days, or move it into a heavy-duty freezer bag and store in the freezer.
If you do not have freezer bags, freezing beef in its original packaging is fine too, just be sure to double-wrap the package with aluminum foil to keep it free of freezer burn. I would NOT recommend using plastic containers for freezing ground beef, as any additional space would fill up with air which could rapidly freezer burn the meat. To freeze ground beef, keep it in the original package, wrap in heavy-duty foil, plastic wrap, freezer paper, or put in a freezer-safe plastic bag to keep freezer burn at bay.
| Type of meat | In the refrigerator (32-34°F) | Freezer (0°F) |
| Raw burger meat | 1-2 days | 3-4 months |
| Cooked ground beef | 3-5 days | 4 months |
| Raw ground beef | 2 days | 4 months |
| Big cuts of beef | 3-4 days | 6-12 months |
| Smoked meat | 3-5 days | 6 months |
If you are planning on keeping your ground beef longer than up to two weeks, you may want to cover it over its original store package in foil or in a freezer bag to prevent air from getting inside. If your beef has no dates on it, or has been thawed since being stored frozen, you are best off keeping it for at most two days in the fridge. The USDA says as long as you thaw meat in the fridge, and you do not leave it there longer than two days, it is safe to re-freeze.
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Although it is not recommended, you may be able to thaw your meat in a cool running stream of water if you are in a rush and plan on cooking your meat right after it is thawed. If you need the beef fast, you can either thaw the beef in a microwave oven or under cold running water. If you want the frozen ground beef thawed faster, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, you can either use the defrost setting on the microwave, or place the beef in a sealed plastic bag and immerse it in cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes.
Raw ground beef needs to sit in the refrigerator for one to two days, and then you should freeze or cook it, according to The Food Network. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but according to FoodSafety.gov, raw ground beef lasts for just one to two days in the refrigerator. Cooked ground beef is best kept in the refrigerator for three to four days, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), because although refrigeration keeps germs from growing rapidly, refrigeration does not completely keep them out.
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Like any leftovers, cooked meat lasts three to four days in the refrigerator, according to the USDA. While cooked meats will last longer than uncooked meats, they will last for just up to four days in the fridge and up to three months in the freezer before they spoil. Different types of raw meat will have different shelf lives in the fridge prior to being cooked or frozen. You can safely store big cuts of meat in the refrigerator for 3-5 days after you bring it home and before cooking or freezing.
You can safely store steaks, roasts, cuts, and other large cuts of meat in the freezer for 4 to 12 months. Raw, uncooked sausages made with turkey, chicken, beef, or pork can be safely stored in the freezer for 1 to 2 days. Fresh, uncured, unsmoked meats can be stored in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days, or kept frozen up to 6 months. Raw poultry, such as chicken, turkey, game chicken, duck, and others, can be stored safely in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 days.
For raw ground meat, such as pork, beef, hamburger, lamb, veal, venison, or ground poultry, such as ground chicken, ground turkey, and so forth, cook or freeze the raw ground meat for 1-2 days. When taking ground beef from your freezer, thaw it in your refrigerator to ensure it is safely cooked, and consume it within several days. Raw meat that is frozen and has been thawed in the refrigerator may be re-frozen a day or two after being removed from the freezer, unless you are planning on cooking immediately. Only uncooked meat that has been left in the refrigerator, or cooked meat that has been left outside only a couple hours, can be safely refrozen.
Cooked beef needs to be refrozen for three or four days, provided that it is never been left out of the refrigerator longer than two hours, according to USDA. If refrozen raw beef is thawed at 40F or less in a cooler, it may be stored for a period of up to two days, according to its date stamp. Cooking the beef ahead of refrigeration is a way to extend the shelf life beyond the 2-days recommended for fresh beef. Raw ground beef will retain its best qualities in a freezer for about 3 to 4 months when stored correctly, though it will stay safe longer.
You should be able to safely eat meat up to 2 days after that time, provided that it is stored correctly. If beef goes directly from freezer to fridge, it does not go into dangerous temperature zones, so it is not at risk for spoilage. However, you should take extra care for both safety and taste when you are storing raw beef in a fridge instead of the freezer. Most raw meat, regardless of cut, can remain in the fridge for three to five days without spoiling. Jul 10 2018 How long does it take refrigerated meat to go bad?To prepare the beef, you should do so within 2 days after purchasing. If beef has been kept refrigerated throughout the time that it has been stored, it will stay fresh and safe for up to 2 days past the shelf life date on the box.
Can you put room temperature Hamburger meat back in the fridge?
The ideal temperature range for bacteria to flourish is between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Bacteria may spread quickly across a surface. Furthermore, preparing or reheating meat that has been exposed to the elements for longer than two hours will not eradicate the germs. Avoid food illness by keeping your meats chilled in the refrigerator.
Is ground beef good after 3 days in fridge?
Uncured, raw beef normally keeps good for three days in the refrigerator. Freezing is the most effective way to keep fresh meat. Place the meat in an airtight container before freezing. Following that, it is frequently frozen for at least a few months.
How long can you keep hamburger in the refrigerator before it goes bad?
As soon as possible after purchasing, store ground beef in the refrigerator or freezer. This keeps food fresh and inhibits bacterial growth. If the meat will be consumed shortly, it can be frozen in its original packaging or kept in the refrigerator. Use within 1 or 2 days if refrigerated; keep at 40 °F (4.4 °C) or below.