How Long After Use By Date is Ground Beef Good (And Why)?

How Long After Use By Date is Ground Beef Good (And Why)?

Exact Answer: After 2 days

Every item we purchase today comes with three types of date, best before date, Use-by date, and Sell-by date but we still confuse to find out what they mean. The Use By Date is the last date to consider the peak quality of food.

Though you can consume your food after the Use by Date, the quality slowly starts to degrade once the date has passed.

In simple terms, if you are too much concerned about the quality, Use By Date is the main thing to consider where the product is no longer safe to consume.

Freezing and cooking are the ways to increase the quality of the food.

How Long After Use By Date is Ground Beef Good

How Long After Use By Date is Ground Beef Good?

There is a huge difference between ‘Use by’ and ’Eat by’. When the ground beef is frozen, its life extends beyond this date. 

As the Use-by date indicates the quality, you can have ground beef within 24 to 48 hours after the use-by date if it is preserved properly in the refrigerator at 40 degrees F or below then it.

In few cases, the ground beef gets spoiled though freezes at sufficient temperature. So, it is always good to check it once before consuming.

The key factors like sour smell, texture, and brownish-gray color indicated that the beef is completely spoiled. The best practice is to store it in the refrigerator for making maximum use of it.

ground beef

Ground beef may last up to 3 months when it is preserved in the freezer at 0 degrees Fahrenheit or below it.

Few procedures should be followed to keep it in the freezer like, up above the original package, it should be wrapped with plastic wrap, freezer paper, or aluminum foil of heavy-duty or can also be placed in a freezer-safe plastic bag to avoid the burn of the freezer.

If it is opened already, ground beef should be immediately transferred to the freezer-safe bag and along with a label of date.

Sell by and expiration dates are additional information given regarding the quality and safety of ground beef. You may still use the ground beef after 1 to 3 days of the sell-by date if it is properly reserved.

ground beef 1

Whereas expiration date or “best before” date tells the nearest date of when the product starts to spoil. In case of expiration date too, it lasts for 4 months and can eat for 2 days after the date if stores properly.

In summary,

Type of beefRefrigeratorFreezer
Fresh and ground beef1-2 days6-8 months
Comed beef2 weeks6-7 months
Uncooked
Type of BeefRefrigeratorFreezer
Fresh and ground beef7 days6-8 months
Comed beef10 days6-8 months
Cooked

Why It Is Necessary to Discard After Use By Date?

The growth of Bacteria is the main factor to consider in the case of products like beef and fish. When the ground beef is expired, it starts to harbor a few dangerous bacteria upon it which may even lead to death if consumed.

The rate of decay largely depends on the temperature at which it was stored and the amount it gets to moisturize. As long as, it is outside, bacteria start to grow on it gradually. 

This is the reason, raw beef shouldn’t be left for a large amount of time outside of the refrigerator and quality starts to decline from the sell-by date so, it should be consumed as soon as possible.

ground beef use by date

As time passes, though beef may not taste as good as it was initially, it will be safer to eat.  It is dangerous to consume after 3-4 days of Use by Date or Sell-date.

It is highly suggested to avoid tasting the ground beef while examining it because even a small bite of expired beef can cause food poisoning like vomiting, fever and sometimes lead to death.

This can be riskier and tend to cause severe Illness to pregnant women, children of lower age, individual who have a weaker immune system. 

Expired ground beef cause staphylococcus, salmonella, and other illness. Generally, ground beef should be thrown, if left for more than 2 hours at room temperature where bacteria grows at a rapid rate.

Try to examine it carefully, before having it for a meal.

ground beef use by date 1

Conclusion

Normally, Whole beef stays longer but ground beef has many surfaces and gets exposed to air due to which spoils rapidly. But still frozen one tends to be fine for little more days.

Always keep an eye on a sell-by date before buying it to keep it stored for longer days. It is present in eatable items like meats and ready-made salads.

Check the smell and look before consuming it. In few cases, it looks good but may not be safe. Discarding it is the better option than risking your health for it.

References

  1. https://ageconsearch.umn.edu/record/48763/
  2. https://ageconsearch.umn.edu/record/37571/
dot 1
One request?

I’ve put so much effort writing this blog post to provide value to you. It’ll be very helpful for me, if you consider sharing it on social media or with your friends/family. SHARING IS ♥️

Avatar of Nidhi

AboutNidhi

Hi! I'm Nidhi.

Here at the EHL, it's all about delicious, easy recipes for casual entertaining. So come and join me at the beach, relax and enjoy the food.

28 Comments

  1. This is a very informative article and it’s important to know the difference between ‘Use by’ and ‘Eat by’ dates. It’s crucial for maintaining food safety.

  2. This article provides indispensable information about the safety of consuming ground beef. It’s a must-read for anyone who handles food.

    1. Definitely. The details about food safety and storage are critical for everyone, especially those who handle ground beef.

  3. The details about the expiration dates and conditions for safe consumption of ground beef are enlightening. It’s crucial knowledge for all consumers.

    1. Absolutely. Educating the public about food safety measures is essential for preventing illness and promoting well-being.

  4. The explanation about how to store ground beef in the freezer is very helpful. It’s important to know the correct procedures to avoid spoilage.

    1. Yes, proper packaging and labeling are essential for maintaining the quality of ground beef in the freezer.

  5. The conclusion of the article summarizes the key points effectively. It reinforces the importance of proper handling and disposal of ground beef.

    1. Absolutely. It’s important for consumers to be well-informed about the safety protocols related to ground beef.

    2. I agree. Understanding the risks associated with consuming expired ground beef is crucial for maintaining public health.

  6. The article provides valuable insights into the reasons for discarding ground beef after the use-by date. It’s a matter of public health and safety.

    1. I completely agree. The risks associated with consuming spoiled ground beef are significant, and everyone should be aware of them.

    2. Definitely. This information should be widely circulated to raise awareness about food safety and proper handling of ground beef.

  7. The importance of understanding use-by dates and proper storage of ground beef cannot be overstated. This article highlights crucial details about food safety.

    1. I completely agree. It’s essential for consumers to be well-informed about the safety measures related to ground beef.

  8. The information about expiration dates and the reasons for discarding ground beef after the use-by date are quite eye-opening. It’s vital to prioritize food safety.

    1. Absolutely. The risks associated with consuming expired ground beef are serious and should not be taken lightly.

    2. I completely agree. Understanding the dangers of expired ground beef is essential for protecting our health.

  9. This article serves as a valuable resource for understanding the risks associated with consuming expired ground beef. It’s important information for everyone.

    1. Definitely. Knowledge about how to handle and store ground beef safely is essential for preventing foodborne illness.

  10. I appreciate the detailed explanation about how proper freezing can extend the life of ground beef beyond the use-by date. Very helpful information!

    1. Definitely. It’s good to know that frozen ground beef can still be safe to consume if handled correctly.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *