Raw chicken is only good for two days according to the USDA. Heres what you need to know.
Im a big fan of using meat delivery services to have the fixings for dinner delivered right to my door. Getting fresh chicken has made figuring out what to cook up on week nights easier, but I dont always eat everything, and often use the leftovers for lunches. However, I know chicken doesnt have a long shelf life, even after cooking. I recently realized that I might have been flirting with food poisoning by eating chicken that started to turn.
This is especially important because summer is almost here, and poultry is a higher-risk meat than beef due to its propensity to develop E. coli and other food-borne illnesses. Thats why you never want to eat bad chicken, and storing it properly is key to avoiding sickness.
The USDA says that chicken can only be cooked and eaten 48 hours after it is bought, but that’s just a safety measure and doesn’t mean that the bird is bad.
If you want to know if your chicken is bad or how long it will stay good in the fridge, we can help. Here, we explain how long chicken typically lasts in the fridge and freezer — both cooked and uncooked — and how to know when its time to put that poultry out to pasture.
Many people don’t understand what the “sell by” date on raw chicken packages really means. When you go to cook that chicken that’s been in the fridge for a while, you might be wondering if it’s still safe to eat. In this article, I’ll explain what the “sell by” date really means, how long chicken lasts after this date, what signs of spoilage to look for, and the best way to store chicken to keep it fresh.
Understanding the Chicken Sell By Date
The sell by date is simply the last date that stores are supposed to display and sell the chicken. It serves as a guide for retailers not consumers. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) states that this date does not indicate spoilage or suggest the chicken is unsafe to eat after that date.
The sell by date aims to ensure quality – it lets the store know how long they can keep the chicken on display to maintain peak freshness. But just because the sell by date has passed, it doesn’t automatically mean the chicken has gone bad.
How Long After The Sell By Date Can You Safely Eat Chicken?
The USDA says that raw chicken can be kept in the fridge for one to two days after the “sell by” date. But it’s important to check the chicken’s health before deciding whether to cook it or eat it. I always check the smell, color, texture, and storage method.
Here is a helpful timeline as a general reference:
- Day of sell by date – Chicken is fresh and safe to cook
- 1-2 days after – Chicken is likely still safe if properly stored
- 3-4 days after – Use caution and check for spoilage
- 5+ days after – Chicken is unsafe; discard
The amount of time can change depending on things like temperature control and packaging. Freezing can significantly extend the shelf life as well. But no matter how long the chicken has been stored, it is important to check it out and use your best judgment.
Signs That Chicken Has Spoiled
Because the sell by date is not definitive, you need to rely on your senses to determine if chicken is still usable. Here are signs that indicate spoilage:
Look
- Gray, green, or yellow discoloration
- Slimy texture or film on the surface
Smell
- Rancid, sour, or ammonia-like odor
Feel
- Sticky, tacky, or slimy feel
If you notice any of these sensory changes, play it safe and throw away the chicken. Consuming spoiled chicken can lead to foodborne illness.
Proper Chicken Storage
To maximize your chicken’s shelf life and safety, follow these storage practices:
- Refrigerate raw chicken at 40°F or below
- Store in sealed packaging or airtight containers
- Place chicken on a plate to catch leaks and prevent contamination
- Freeze chicken if you won’t use within 1-2 days
- Label and date packages in the freezer
- Cook or freeze chicken within 1-2 days of thawing
Can You Freeze Chicken After The Sell By Date?
Freezing is an excellent way to safely preserve chicken beyond the sell by date. According to the USDA, frozen raw chicken maintains quality for 9-12 months. Cooked chicken lasts 4-6 months in the freezer.
To freeze the chicken, remove as much air as you can while wrapping it in plastic wrap or freezer bags. Put freeze dates on the packages so you know how long they’ve been kept.
Cooking Chicken Safely
If preparing chicken after the sell by date, it’s critical to cook it thoroughly to 165°F internal temperature. Use a food thermometer to verify doneness. This temperature eliminates any harmful bacteria that could be present.
Other safety tips when cooking chicken:
- Defrost in the refrigerator, never at room temperature
- Avoid cross-contamination by using separate tools and cutting boards
- Discard any chicken with an off-putting smell while thawing or cooking
- Refrigerate cooked chicken within 2 hours; use within 3-4 days
The Bottom Line
While the sell by date isn’t an expiration date, it does provide a helpful freshness guideline. Chicken can often be safely eaten 1-2 days past this date, but remember to check the smell, color, and texture before consuming. With proper refrigerated storage, freezing when needed, and cooking to safe internal temperatures, chicken can safely last beyond the sell by date. Trust your senses to determine if it’s good to eat.
When in doubt, employ the smell and eye test
While the sell-by date and USDA recommendations are good guideposts for eating chicken safely, the smell test should always be employed as a backup. Chicken can encounter all kinds of storage mishaps and irregularities in its journey to your kitchen. If youre chicken smells foul, acrid or rotten, its probably time to chuck it.
And keep a close on eye on any changes in the meats appearance. Chicken that appears slimy or discolored in any way (yellow, brown or green) should be discarded immediately.
How long does raw chicken last in the fridge?
The USDA recommends cooking chicken one or two days after you buy it. If that seems conservative and sooner than the sell-by date on the package, thats because it is — but theres a reason for that. The sell-by, use-by or freeze-by date may be as long as a week from when you bought it, but thats just the chicken producers guess as to how long the chicken will be at optimal taste before it starts deteriorating in quality.
As many in this Reddit thread and others assert, you can probably split the difference without serious ramifications, but you should never eat chicken thats been in the fridge for more than three or four days. The reason why chicken isnt necessarily safe to eat until that sell-by date is two-fold:
For one, that date isnt issued by a regulating body, but rather by the brand. Even though chicken brands have to think about safety for customers, their main goal is to get stores to buy their product. The longer its “good for,” the better chance theyll have of making a larger sale.
The other reason is that grocery store meat fridges and coolers are usually colder than your average home refrigerators. A normal fridge has to keep meat cold without freezing delicate vegetables and other groceries. Supermarket meat coolers only need to keep meat cold, so they can be at lower resting temperatures. Chicken kept at a colder temperature is naturally going to last longer.
How Long Is Chicken Good After Sell By Date? GUIDE
FAQ
Can I eat chicken 4 days after the sell-by date on Reddit?
It should be fine by the sell by date. So, if you open it then and find that it’s really sticky or smells bad, throw it away right away.
How long after the sell-by date is ground chicken good?
If you store ground chicken properly in the fridge, you can eat it up to two days after the “sell-by” date as long as it hasn’t been opened.
How long is meat good for after the sell-by date?
Meat, even after its sell-by date, can be safe to eat for a limited time if stored properly. Ground meat and poultry can usually be eaten one to two days after the sell-by date. Beef, lamb, and pork roasts, steaks, and chops can usually be eaten three to five days after the date.
Is chicken safe after 5 days in the fridge?
How long is chicken good after sell-by date?
Generally, chicken is good for up to 2 days past the sell-by date if stored correctly. It should be noted that this is a general guideline and the actual freshness and quality of the chicken may vary depending on factors such as processing methods, transportation conditions, and storage practices.
Is it safe to eat chicken a day past the sell-by date?
Logically, you are wondering if it is still safe for consumption. Well, as I already said, it is safe to consume chicken a day or two past the sell-by date if you store it properly in the refrigerator right away.
How long after sell-by date can you eat raw chicken?
Raw chicken should be discarded if it is 5 days past the sell-by date. Chicken showing signs of spoilage such as a foul odor, sliminess, or unusual discoloration should be thrown away. It is generally safe to consume chicken up to 2 days past the sell-by date, but check for signs of spoilage.
Can chicken be refrigerated after a sell-by date?
After purchasing chicken, it may be refrigerated for a day or two, during which the sell-by date may expire. In this case, it will remain safe to use after the sell-by date if it is stored properly.
Should you buy chicken before or after the sell-by date?
Although the sell-by date on fresh chicken is mainly for the retailer’s benefit so that they know when to pull it from the refrigerator, you can use it to determine when it is no longer safe for consumption. In order to enjoy the freshest chicken, it is recommended that you buy your chicken before or on the sell-by date.
Can I eat chicken after the sell-by date if frozen?
1. Can I eat chicken after the sell-by date if it was frozen? Yes, if chicken has been properly frozen and stored below 0°F (-18°C), it can still be safe to consume after the sell-by date. 2.