Ground beef **spoils fast**, so buying it smart is key. Lucky for you, there are **tricks** to keep it fresh longer and **store** it right in the freezer. Wrap it **tight** in plastic wrap, then **aluminum foil**. This combo helps **prevent freezer burn** and keeps it fresh. Got a vacuum sealer? Great! It can keep ground beef fresh for up to a year. **Label** each pack with the date, so you always know how long it’s been there. Ground beef kept at **0°F** can last a while, but for top quality, use it within 3-4 months—it’s like **giving your ground beef a nap** in your freezer!
So how long can you store cooked ground beef in the fridge?
How long does cooked ground beef last in the fridge?
And what’s the best way to freeze it so it lasts even longer?
How long does cooked ground beef last in the fridge?
Ground beef has a very short shelf life.
It will only last about three days in the refrigerator if you don’t add anything to it.
That includes salt, spices or other seasonings, as well as any sauces or dressings.
If you want to maximize the time you can eat ground beef before it goes bad, then you need to cook it first.
This will kill off any bacteria that may be present and help preserve the meat.
Did you know you can cook ground beef in the microwave in just a few minutes?
It’s a great way to cook ground beef for tacos, burritos, nachos, and more.
Once it’s been cooked, though, ground beef will still spoil quickly once it’s left in the fridge.
If you do have leftover cooked ground beef, here are some tips on how to use it up:
- Make sandwiches with it. You can also wrap it in foil and reheat it in the microwave or bake it in an oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177 Celsius) for 10-15 minutes.
- Use it in chili.
- Add it to pasta dishes.
- Add it to casseroles.
- Stir fry it with vegetables.
- Serve it over rice.
- Put it into tacos.
- Eat it straight from the fridge.
- Reheat it in the microwave.
The bottom line is that cooked ground beef doesn’t last nearly as long in the fridge as raw ground beef, which means you’ll need to buy more than you think you will.
So if you’re planning on making a large batch of ground beef ahead of time, you might want to stock up on extra ingredients like mustard, ketchup and BBQ sauce.
How long can you keep cooked ground beef in the fridge?
Ground beef spoils faster than any other type of meat because it contains a lot of water and fat.
When you cook it, this moisture cooks away, leaving behind little pockets of air where bacteria can grow and multiply.
Once those pockets of air become contaminated, they start to rot the meat.
You can slow down the process by sealing the meat in plastic bags or wrapping it tightly in aluminum foil.
But the best thing you can do is to not let it sit around in the fridge for too long in the first place.
How long should you keep cooked ground beef in the fridge?
Ground beef should be eaten within four days after cooking, according to the U.S.
Department of Agriculture.
Any longer than that and it starts to get tough and dry out, which makes it unappealing to eat.
Even if you’ve wrapped it in foil or put it in a bag, the extra moisture will continue to evaporate, so you’ll need to replenish it every few days.
If you want to go beyond that four day limit, then you’ll need to refrigerate it in a vacuum-sealed container or bag.
Vacuum packaging will seal the meat completely, preventing any water vapor from escaping.
This method is ideal for storing ground beef in the freezer, where it will stay fresh for much longer.
When you’re ready to use it again, simply defrost it in the fridge overnight.
Alternatively, you could thaw it in the microwave or under running hot water.
How long does ground beef last in the fridge?
Ground beef will keep in the fridge for up to seven days if you don’t add anything to it.
However, if you keep it in a sealed container or bag, it will last much longer.
Once it’s been frozen, it will keep indefinitely.
How long can you keep cooked beef in the fridge?
Ground beef shouldn’t be kept in the fridge for more than a week.
After that, it starts to lose flavor and become tough and dry.
How long does cooked beef last in the fridge?
It’s important to remember that ground beef doesn’t last quite as long in the fridge as uncooked meat, which means you’ll need to buy more than you think you will.
That said, you can stretch your ground beef purchases further by freezing them instead.
Just follow these simple steps:
- Wrap each portion of meat individually in plastic wrap or wax paper and then place it in a resealable freezer bag.
- Label the package and date it.
- Place the bag in the freezer until it is solid enough to hold its shape, usually between 12 and 24 hours.
- Remove the meat from the bag and store it in the refrigerator.
How long can you keep cooked beef in the fridge?
Ground beef will keep in the fridge for up to 14 days if you don’t add anything to it.
However, if you keep it in a vacuum-sealed container or bag, it will last much longer.
Once it’s been frozen, it will keep indefinitely.
How long does cooked beef last in the fridge?
Ground beef won’t last as long in the fridge as uncooked meat, so you’ll need to buy more than you think you will.
That said, you can stretch your ground beef purchases further by freezing them instead.
Just follow these simple steps:
Wrap each portion of meat individually in plastic wrap or wax paper and then place it in a resealable freezer bag.
Label the package and date it.
Place the bag in the freezer until it is solid enough to hold its shape, usually between 12 and 24 hours.
Remove the meat from the bag and store it in the refrigerator.
For more information on how to properly store food, check out our guide to how to store food correctly.
Use Microwave to make Ground Beef
Equipment
- 1 microwave
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- ½ onion
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes
Instructions
- Place ground beef in a microwavable dish.
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, onion, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Mix well.
- Spread the beef mixture in a single layer on a microwave-safe plate.
- Cover with a lid or plastic wrap.
- Cook on HIGH for 2 minutes per ounce (30 seconds per 50 grams).
- Stir ground beef and break it up into smaller pieces.
- Stir in the diced tomatoes.
- Cover and cook for an additional 2 minutes per ounce (30 seconds per 50 grams).
- Stir again and check the internal temperature of the beef.
- It should be cooked to 160°F (71°C).
- If the ground beef is not cooked to 160°F (71°C), cover and cook for an additional 2 minutes per ounce (30 seconds per 50 grams).
- Once the ground beef is cooked, drain any fat and remove it from the microwave.
Nutrition
I have a true passion for cooking and experimenting with new ingredients, and I have been creating and perfecting recipes for friends and family for years.
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