{"id":4036,"date":"2022-09-21T01:17:56","date_gmt":"2022-09-20T17:17:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/powerupcook.com\/?p=4036"},"modified":"2023-09-09T12:26:32","modified_gmt":"2023-09-09T04:26:32","slug":"how-long-do-cooked-meatballs-last-in-the-fridge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/powerupcook.com\/how-long-do-cooked-meatballs-last-in-the-fridge\/","title":{"rendered":"How Long Do Cooked Meatballs Last In The Fridge"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_65 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-light-blue ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Page Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-662e1ffc60d94\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseprofile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-662e1ffc60d94\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\"><nav><ul class=\"ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 \"><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/powerupcook.com\/how-long-do-cooked-meatballs-last-in-the-fridge\/#How_Long_Do_Cooked_Meatballs_Last_In_The_Fridge\" title=\"How Long Do Cooked Meatballs Last In The Fridge?\">How Long Do Cooked Meatballs Last In The Fridge?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/powerupcook.com\/how-long-do-cooked-meatballs-last-in-the-fridge\/#Are_cold_cold_straight_out_of_the_oven_meatballs_safe_to_consume\" title=\"Are cold cold, straight out of the oven meatballs safe to consume?\">Are cold cold, straight out of the oven meatballs safe to consume?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/powerupcook.com\/how-long-do-cooked-meatballs-last-in-the-fridge\/#How_to_freeze_meatballs\" title=\"How to freeze meatballs\">How to freeze meatballs<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/powerupcook.com\/how-long-do-cooked-meatballs-last-in-the-fridge\/#Preparing_meatball_mixture_with_a_sauce\" title=\"Preparing meatball mixture with a sauce\">Preparing meatball mixture with a sauce<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/powerupcook.com\/how-long-do-cooked-meatballs-last-in-the-fridge\/#How_long_does_pasta_last_in_the_refrigerator\" title=\"How long does pasta last in the refrigerator?\">How long does pasta last in the refrigerator?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/powerupcook.com\/how-long-do-cooked-meatballs-last-in-the-fridge\/#How_long_can_you_keep_meatballs_in_sauce\" title=\"How long can you keep meatballs in sauce?\">How long can you keep meatballs in sauce?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/powerupcook.com\/how-long-do-cooked-meatballs-last-in-the-fridge\/#Can_I_eat_6-day-old_meatballs\" title=\"Can I eat 6-day-old meatballs?\">Can I eat 6-day-old meatballs?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/powerupcook.com\/how-long-do-cooked-meatballs-last-in-the-fridge\/#How_do_you_know_if_meatballs_are_spoiled\" title=\"How do you know if meatballs are spoiled?\">How do you know if meatballs are spoiled?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Long_Do_Cooked_Meatballs_Last_In_The_Fridge\"><\/span>How Long Do Cooked Meatballs Last In The Fridge<strong>?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>To put it simply, cooked meatballs can last in the fridge for up to three to four days &ndash; that too if they are stored properly in airtight containers. After that, they will start to go bad. To increase this time limit, try storing them in the freezer in the same storage method.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In order for the meatballs to lie in the refrigerator for as long as possible, they must be handled accordingly.<strong> Cooked meatballs usually keep in the refrigerator for three to four days, especially if you use fresh meat, Let it cool, and refrigerate immediately after cooking. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cooked meatballs will last in the refrigerator for three to four days, after this time they should be thrown away, even if they smell good. If you choose to thaw frozen meatballs in the refrigerator, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to four days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>To keep meatballs safe to eat, store them in the refrigerator and consume them within two days.<\/strong> You can prepare the meatballs ahead of time, shape them, and store them in the refrigerator throughout the day. <strong>To keep meatballs out of dangerous areas, store them in extreme temperatures, either hot or cold.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_cold_cold_straight_out_of_the_oven_meatballs_safe_to_consume\"><\/span>Are cold cold, straight out of the oven meatballs safe to consume?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>It&rsquo;s important to remember that meatballs can be eaten cold from the refrigerator, but only if handled properly. Because the meat is already cooked, meatballs straight out of the refrigerator are completely safe to eat without reheating. Do not leave cooked meatballs at room temperature, as bacteria can quickly spread through the meat.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Juicy MEATBALL RECIPE - How to Cook Italian Meatballs\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/6mxjfDmxTTw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Learn the juicy recipe for meatballs<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Regardless of the content of the meatballs, if you remember to eat cold meatballs from the refrigerator after 3 days, you will know that it is perfectly safe.<strong> However, if you didn&rsquo;t plan ahead and it&rsquo;s now 4\/5 days that your meatballs are in the fridge, you&rsquo;ll have no choice but to throw them away. <\/strong>If you are going to serve meatballs to guests, you need to know how long they can be left in the refrigerator before serving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray-gradient-background has-background\"><tbody><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Types<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Storing<\/strong> <strong>in refrigerator<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Beef and Pork<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">can be stored for up to 3 to 5 days <\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Chicken and Turkey<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">kept for 3 to 5 days<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Steak<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"> can be placed for 1 to 2 days<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Different varieties of cooked meatballs <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_freeze_meatballs\"><\/span>How to freeze meatballs<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>If you want to freeze meatballs, <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/abs\/pii\/S0309174016303126\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/abs\/pii\/S0309174016303126\" target=\"_blank\">freeze<\/a> them in a freezer bag for up to three months. Arrange meatballs in a single layer on a baking sheet (avoid touching or sticking after freezing) and freeze until firm. <\/strong>Refrigerate frozen meatballs and sauces as soon as possible (within 2 hours of cooking) after cooking, then transfer to an airtight container to freeze for up to 3 months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Preparing_meatball_mixture_with_a_sauce\"><\/span>Preparing meatball mixture with a sauce<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>When using a sauce (such as tomato, spaghetti, gravy, or BBQ sauce), place the sauce (such as tomato) in the slow cooker, and then pour in the required amount of frozen meatballs. Prepare the meatball mixture in a cold bowl and, if you are adding pre-cooked ingredients such as onions, let them cool completely before adding them.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"How to Bag and Freeze Meatballs\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/-YC9zAiWTXQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Watch this video to learn about the preservation of Meatballs<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>To <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2076-3921\/9\/8\/670\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2076-3921\/9\/8\/670\" target=\"_blank\">reheat<\/a> frozen meatballs, simply thaw them in the refrigerator overnight, then bake them in a 350-degree oven until they are well heated.<\/strong> Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container or ziplock bag for up to five days in the refrigerator. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>To further extend the shelf life of cooked meatballs, freeze them; freeze in an airtight container or sturdy freezer bag, or wrap them tightly in sturdy aluminium foil or freezer wrap.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>To maximize the shelf life of cooked stew for safety and quality, refrigerate the stew immediately in covered, airtight containers.<\/strong> <strong>If you have leftover cooked meat or poultry, they will keep well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days and can keep in the freezer for 2-6 months. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Like all leftovers, cooked meat can be kept in the refrigerator for three to four days, according to the USDA. <\/strong>Most leftovers such as beef, pork, seafood or chicken, chilli peppers, soups, pizza, stews and stews can be stored safely for three to four days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>If you are looking for<a href=\"https:\/\/powerupcook.com\/can-you-cook-frozen-meat\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"2425\"> Can You Cook Frozen Meat<\/a>  you can check that article.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>The reason why eating meatballs after 3-5 days (beef and pork) or 3-4 days (chicken and turkey) is unhealthy has more to do with the fact that<strong> most cooked meats spoil in about that time, even in the refrigerator. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you know you won&rsquo;t be able to eat cooked meatballs within 3-5 days for beef and pork, or 3-4 days for chicken and turkey, you can still reuse leftovers later. <strong>Minced meat doesn&rsquo;t keep as well as whole pieces, so don&rsquo;t try to keep meatballs longer than three days; they will come out quickly.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>About 3-4 days depending on the temperature of the refrigerator and the freshness of the meat when cooking the meatballs. <strong>According to the table below from Foodsafety.gov, a steak that has been refrigerated for 3 days before freezing will be good for 1-2 days after defrosting.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_long_does_pasta_last_in_the_refrigerator\"><\/span>How long does pasta last in the refrigerator?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Most cooked pasta lasts only 3-5 days in the refrigerator before signs of expiration begin to show. Cooked and fresh homemade pasta should be refrigerated to slow mould growth and keep it fresh for as long as possible.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While the refrigerator significantly slows the spread of <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/abs\/pii\/0273117796000063\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/abs\/pii\/0273117796000063\" target=\"_blank\">bacteria<\/a>, it doesn&rsquo;t stop it, and meatballs can quickly become unsafe. <strong>While cooking kills bacteria temporarily, if the meat isn&rsquo;t refrigerated, it quickly turns back into cooked meatballs and spreads quickly.<\/strong> Meatballs are usually cooked in a way that kills bacteria, but not necessarily other harmful organisms<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>If you have a interest in <a href=\"https:\/\/powerupcook.com\/can-you-use-overripe-bananas-for-banana-bread\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"16877\">Can You Use Overripe Bananas For Banana Bread<\/a> you can check that article<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Generally, chicken cutlets don&rsquo;t keep as long as those made from pork or beef, and you should only keep them for two days unless they&rsquo;re very fresh, in which case they can keep for up to three days. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Spaghetti and meatballs are kept for about 3-4 days when stored properly in the refrigerator at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Freeze times listed are for best quality only: cooked meatballs that have been kept frozen at 0 degrees Fahrenheit at all times will keep on their own. <\/strong>I prefer to freeze the meatballs without the sauce because it will give me a lot more options for making the sauce I want later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_long_can_you_keep_meatballs_in_sauce\"><\/span>How long can you keep meatballs in sauce?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>If<\/strong> <strong>the cooked meatball is stored properly, will last for&nbsp;3 to 4 days in the fridge. To extend the shelf life of cooked meatballs it will be a wise move to freeze them in airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags or wrap them tightly with aluminum foil or freezer wrap.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_I_eat_6-day-old_meatballs\"><\/span>Can I eat 6-day-old meatballs?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>All opened or prepared perishable foods should be discarded after seven days, according to the FDA Food Code. Your fridge should not store leftovers longer than that. Even food that has been left out for more than seven days should be thrown away. So eating a 6-day-old meatball is safe but only on the verge of safety.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_you_know_if_meatballs_are_spoiled\"><\/span>How do you know if meatballs are spoiled?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>It is generally observed that Meatballs can be prepared ahead of time.&nbsp;&nbsp;Alternatively, cook immediately and store in the refrigerator for up to three days before reheating. Old or&nbsp;Bad beef will have a slimy or sticky texture and will give a bad smell.&nbsp;If beef turns grayish it may be due to ice frosting but it does not necessarily mean it has gone bad.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How Long Do Cooked Meatballs Last In The Fridge? To put it simply, cooked meatballs can last in the fridge for up to three to &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":16373,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"disable-in-feed":false,"article-schema-type":"","disable-critical-css":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/powerupcook.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4036"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/powerupcook.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/powerupcook.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/powerupcook.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/powerupcook.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4036"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/powerupcook.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4036\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":108531,"href":"https:\/\/powerupcook.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4036\/revisions\/108531"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/powerupcook.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16373"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/powerupcook.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4036"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/powerupcook.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4036"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/powerupcook.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4036"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}