How long does ground beef last?
Ground beef is easy to buy in bulk and easy to forget. Here's how long it keeps in the fridge, why the grey middle isn't always a problem, and how to freeze it flat.
By Justin and Mary KatzmanOne to two days in the fridge and three to four months in the freezer. Keep it in the fridge, not the pantry.
The freezer turns two days into four months.
Ground beef, case by case
After thawing
One to two days in the fridge if it thawed in the fridge. If it thawed in cold water or the microwave, cook it right away.
Left out at room temperature
No more than two hours, or one hour above 90°F. Raw or cooked, throw it out after that, since bacteria grow fast at room temperature.
Past the date on the package
Cook or freeze it by the sell-by date. If you freeze it on or before that date, it stays safe, and the date matters less once it is frozen.
Signs ground beef has gone bad
- It smells sour.
- It feels slimy or sticky.
- Grey inside the pack is normal, since less air reaches it. Grey or green all over is not.
Before you toss it
Past its best but still safe? Try one of these.
- Day two in the fridge and no plan? Cook it today into taco meat or a pasta sauce, then refrigerate or freeze the cooked batch.
- Brown a big batch now and freeze it in portions for chili, burritos and quick weeknight skillets.
How to store ground beef
- Cook or freeze it within two days.
- Flatten it in freezer bags so it thaws faster.
- Thaw it in the fridge, never on the counter.
Ground beef by the numbers
The average American goes through about 1 lb a week. If your household eats less than that, buy smaller and less ends up in the trash.
A pound at $6.79 keeps about two days in the fridge. Frozen, it keeps four months. Buy the bigger pack only if you'll use it in time.
What ground beef costs now
$6.79 a pound (ground beef), up 75% since January 2020. It's usually cheapest in January, about 6% under its yearly average.
National average price per pound (ground beef), monthly. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Cook it before it turns
Seven Haivenly starter recipes use ground beef. Here are a few to start with.
Questions about ground beef
How long does ground beef last in the fridge?
One to two days from purchase, going by USDA FoodKeeper guidance. Your fridge temperature and how fresh it was when you bought it can change that, so check it before you use it.
Is it okay if ground beef is brown inside?
Often, yes. Fresh beef is bright red on the surface because of oxygen, and the inside of a package can be grey or brownish when it hasn't been exposed to air. Color alone doesn't mean it's spoiled. A sour smell or slimy feel does.
Can you freeze ground beef in the store package?
Yes. USDA says you can freeze it in the original wrap for a short time. For longer storage, overwrap it with freezer wrap or put it in a freezer bag to prevent freezer burn.
Can you refreeze ground beef after thawing?
If it thawed in the refrigerator, yes, though quality may drop. If it thawed in cold water or the microwave, cook it before refreezing. Never thaw it on the counter.
How long does cooked ground beef last?
USDA recommends eating cooked ground beef within three to four days when refrigerated. You can freeze it for two to three months for best quality.
What temperature should ground beef be cooked to?
USDA recommends 160°F (71°C), checked with a food thermometer. Color is not a reliable sign that ground beef is done.
Use every last bit of your ground beef.
The average American tosses about $72 of beef a year. Haivenly learns how fast your household goes through it, so you hear about it while there's still time to cook it.
More foods to check
Raw chicken breast
Meat & poultry- Fridge
- 1–2 days
- Freezer
- 9 months
- Pantry
- Keep cold
Bacon
Meat & poultry- Fridge
- 1 week
- Freezer
- 1 month
- Pantry
- Keep cold
Cooked chicken
Leftovers- Fridge
- 3–4 days
- Freezer
- 2–3 months
- Pantry
- Keep cold
Eggs
Dairy & eggs- Fridge
- 3–5 weeks
- Freezer
- Not advised
- Pantry
- Keep cold
Milk
Dairy & eggs- Fridge
- Use-by date
- Freezer
- 3 months
- Pantry
- Keep cold