Beef & Pork · Shelf Life · 2026
🥩 How Long Does Ground Beef Last?
Storage times for raw and cooked ground beef — plus essential food safety tips.
QUICK ANSWER
Raw ground beef lasts 1-2 days in the refrigerator and 3-4 months in the freezer. Cooked ground beef lasts 3-4 days in the fridge.
How Long Does Ground Beef Last?
Signs Ground Beef Has Gone Bad
- ⚠️ Brown or grey colour throughout (not just surface)
- ⚠️ Sour or off smell
- ⚠️ Slimy texture
- ⚠️ Sticky feel when handling
Ground Beef Storage Tips
- Buy and freeze on the same day if not cooking within 2 days
- Portion into meal-sized amounts before freezing
- Label bags with date and weight
- Thaw in the fridge overnight — never on the counter
- Cook to an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C)
⚠️
Ground beef must be cooked to 160°F (71°C) — pathogens can be present throughout the meat, not just on the surface.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Raw ground beef should be used within 1-2 days. After 3 days in the fridge, it should be discarded.
Surface browning is normal due to oxidation but meat brown throughout may indicate spoilage. Trust your nose — discard if it smells off.
If thawed in the fridge and not yet cooked, you can refreeze within 1-2 days, though quality may decline slightly.
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