Raw chicken is only good for two days according to the USDA. Heres what you need to know.
I really like using meat delivery services to get everything I need for dinner brought right to my door. Getting fresh chicken has made it easier for me to decide what to cook on weeknights. I don’t eat everything, though, and often pack the leftovers for lunch. 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 youre wondering whether or not your chicken is bad or how long it is good for in the fridge, we have answers. 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.
Hey there, folks at Kitchen Grit! Ever found yourself starin’ at a pack of chicken in the fridge, wonderin’ if it’s still good past that expiration date stamped on it? I’ve been there, trust me You don’t wanna waste food, but you sure as heck don’t wanna risk a nasty bout of food poisoning neither So, how long is chicken good after the expiration date? Let’s cut to the chase right now raw chicken can often be safe for 1-2 days past the sell-by date if stored right, and cooked chicken might last 3-4 days in the fridge after that date. But, and this is a big but, it ain’t just about the date—it’s about how it looks, smells, and feels. Stick with me as we dive deep into this, breakin’ it down so you can eat smart and safe.
We will talk about everything you need to know at Kitchen Grit, from how to read those confusing date labels to how to spot spoiled chicken, store food correctly, and even freeze hacks. I will also give you some personal tips and answer any burning questions you may have. Let’s get cookin’!.
Decodin’ the Date Labels: What Do They Even Mean?
First off, let’s clear up the mess around “expiration date,” “sell-by,” and “use-by.” I used to think these were all the same, but nah, they got different vibes
- Sell-By Date: This one’s more for the store than for us. It tells ‘em how long to keep the chicken on the shelf. Don’t mean it’s trash the day after. If you’ve kept it cold, it’s often fine for a couple days.
- Use-By Date: This is more about quality. After this, the chicken might not taste as fresh or have the best texture, but it ain’t necessarily dangerous yet.
- Expiration Date: Sounds scary, right? It’s mostly about quality too, though I wouldn’t push it too far past this without checkin’ the chicken real good.
Here’s the deal—none of these are strict “throw it out now” rules. They’re guidelines, and your best bet is pairin’ ‘em with some common sense. I’ve eaten chicken a day or two past the sell-by plenty of times, and I’m still kickin’. But you gotta know how to store it and spot the bad stuff. Let’s talk about that next.
How Long Can Chicken Really Last Past the Date?
Alright, let’s get into
How long can you store chicken in the freezer?
Chicken thats kept frozen (under 0 degrees F) is technically safe to eat for about one year according to FoodSafety.gov, but that doesnt mean you should wait a year, or even months, to eat it. Even shrink-wrapped meat will eventually succumb to frost and freezer burn. While that might not cause the chicken to become unsafe, it will affect its deliciousness. The meat may develop a rubbery or mealy texture.
Frozen cooked chicken can last indefinitely without risk of illness, but it will start to lose flavor in the freezer almost immediately and texture will also become compromised if exposed to freezer burn.
Does raw chicken have a natural smell?
Not usually. Most raw chicken doesnt smell like much and if it does have a strong odor, it could be a sign that something is amiss. Still, some chicken farms and poultry producers add rosemary extract to turkey and chicken meat that has been ground up to stop the meat from going bad. If you smell a faint herby smell in your ground chicken or turkey, but its been stored properly and is within the sell-by dates and also within one or two days since you bought it, it may be the rosemary youre smelling and not spoiled chicken.
Canned Food For Survival: Expiration Dates
FAQ
Can you eat chicken after its expiration date?
It’s generally not safe to eat raw chicken that is past its expiration date, even by just one day. The expiration date is there to ensure food safety, and consuming chicken that is past this date can pose a risk of foodborne illness due to bacteria like Salmonella or Campylobacter.
Can I eat expired chicken if it smells fine?
If it looks and smells fine, it’s fine.
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.
Can I cook 3 day expired chicken?
Poultry and Meat Meat and poultry typically have a Sell-By date. You should use or freeze your chicken within one to two days of purchasing and meat within three to five days of purchasing.