When you have a busy schedule, it’s not uncommon to get groceries for the whole week and refrigerate the food to save yourself some time. This can take the stress out of meal planning and ensure you always have fresh ingredients on hand.
One of the ingredients an average US household always has in their fridge is ground beef. It’s delicious, quick to cook, and there are many easy ground beef recipes, such as hamburgers, spaghetti meat sauce, etc.
So how long does cooked ground beef last in the fridge and how to make a delicious dish with refrigerated minced beef? Find out below.
Food Safety Guidelines for Beef Stored in Refrigerators
Assuming you properly wrap your ground beef, it will last 2 to 4 days in the fridge at a temperature of 40℉. Ideally, it’s best to finish it within 2 days. You’re probably surprised at how fast this protein can spoil. That’s because ground beef contains several smaller pieces, giving bacteria more chances to get into the meat.
To extend the shelf life of cooked minced beef to 4 months, put it in the freezer. After this period, the meat will start to lose its flavor and texture.
How to store cooked ground beef
Step 1: Once you’ve browned your ground beef, drain the excess fat if there’s any.
Step 2: Spread out the meat thinly and wait for the meat to cool down completely.
Step 3: Transfer the meat into an airtight container or a ziplock bag. Seal it tightly and put it in the fridge.
Tips to store cooked ground beef
Before putting the beef in the fridge, label it with the expiry date so you know when to finish it. I’d suggest storing the meat in the coldest part of your fridge. In most refrigerators, it’s the back of the bottom shelf.
If you freeze the ground beef, keep it in a glass or metal container to prevent the freezer burn. With ziplock bags, you’d need to vacuum seal or shrink wrap them first to make sure ice crystals don’t form over the meat. It’s also a good idea to divide the beef into smaller portions so you can easily get the amount you need.
Another tip for people freezing ground beef in ziplock bags is to flatten it with a rolling pin. This will help it freeze and thaw much faster and save more space. To portion the meat for future ground beef recipes, use a chopstick to separate the meat into each section through the bag.
How to tell if beef is bad
Raw beef usually has a clear sign when it’s bad. The color will turn gray by a large section and the meat will give off a bad smell. At this point, you should throw out the beef, but if you want to be 100% sure, try feeling it with your fingers. Spoiled ground meat has a soft, sticky, and slimy texture.
It’s a little harder to detect rancid cooked meat by sight alone. Usually, spoiled beef will have a greenish tint, but that might be hard to detect. Give it a good sniff instead. A sour smell means that it’s no longer edible. And like raw meat, cooked beef feels slimy and soft.
Ground Beef and Pasta Recipes
Step 1: Reheat 1 pound of ground beef. Since refrigerated meat can be a little dry, add some oil. Then, put in some minced onion, garlic, and Italian seasoning.
Step 2: Once the onion turns clear, add 4 cups of chicken broth, 1 jar of spaghetti sauce, 1 can of tomato sauce, and 4 ounces of cream cheese. Cook the mixture on low heat for 10 minutes.
Step 3: Add 2 cups of pasta and cook until the pasta is done. Top it off with basil and Parmesan cheese.
Final Sharing
How long does cooked ground beef last in the fridge? Now you know that it can last 2 to 4 days if you keep the ground beef temperature at 40℉ and below. I’m sure with this information in mind, you’ll find it much easier to plan your meal.
