How Long Can Ground Venison Stay in the Fridge?

If you kill your own deer and eat it, you’ve probably thought about this question more than once: How long will deer meat last in the fridge?

And we’re not talking about the freezer, but the actual fridge. It’s where we quickly store meat after taking the antlers off of the last deer we killed.

Things can get busy at home or in deer camp, and we often run out of time and forget about the game in our fridge that needs to be processed.

So how long will it last in the fridge? I’ve often wondered how long is too long, so I finally gave in and looked into it.

Here is a quick chart that shows how long your meat can stay in the fridge and the freezer.

That being said, I have definitely left thawed venison in my fridge and freezer for longer than this chart says is safe and had no major problems.

Personally speaking, if the meat still looks and smells good, I’m eating it. It has been fine for me to keep vacuum-sealed venison roasts, chops, and steaks in the fridge for almost a week.

It has also been years since I last ate ground deer, elk, or other game meats that had been frozen. Whenever I eat frozen game meat, as long as it’s not freezer-burned and dried out, I say “game on!”

Venison is a delicious, lean meat that many hunters look forward to enjoying after a successful hunt. However, proper storage is crucial for safety and quality when dealing with fresh venison. One question that often comes up is – how long can you keep ground venison in the fridge before use?

Ground venison is much more perishable than whole cuts due to the increased surface area exposed during grinding. Following proper guidelines for refrigeration and use is important to get the most out of this healthy meat. Here is a complete look at maximizing fridge life for ground venison.

Why Refrigeration Matters

Venison is highly prone to spoilage and bacteria growth if not chilled quickly and properly after harvesting. There are a few key reasons why:

Warm temperatures allow microbes to multiply rapidly. Venison should be cooled to 40°F or below as soon as possible after the kill.
Ground meat has far more surface area exposed to air than whole cuts This accelerates deterioration,
Bullet damage and bruising create entry points for pathogens to take hold if meat is left too warm,
Enzymatic activity in the meat increases at higher temperatures leading to degradation.

Quick refrigeration helps inhibit microbial growth as well as oxidation that can cause off-flavors and odors. Always prioritize rapid chilling of harvested deer.

Shelf Life of Ground Venison in the Fridge

When stored at 40°F or below, ground venison will last just 1-2 days in the refrigerator. Here are some fridge life benchmarks for venison:

Whole cuts: 3-5 days
Ground meat: 1-2 days
Organ meats: 1-2 days

The shorter shelf life for ground comes down to the exponential increase in surface area. More area exposed to air means faster deterioration. Freezing is necessary for longer term storage.

Guidelines for Proper Refrigeration

Follow these guidelines for maximizing fridge life of your ground venison:

Chill meat to 40°F or below as soon as possible after harvesting the deer.
Separate ground portions from whole cuts for even chilling.
Wrap ground venison tightly in plastic wrap to inhibit air exposure.
Use shallow containers to allow the meat to cool down rapidly.
Maintain refrigerator temperature at 40°F or below. Check with a thermometer, don’t just rely on the dial setting.
Use ground venison within 1-2 days for best quality and food safety. Don’t try to push the limits on fridge life.

Consequences of Exceeding Recommended Time

Consuming ground venison that has surpassed the recommended 1-2 day refrigerator life can pose some potential health and quality issues:

Bacterial growth – Pathogens like E. coli and Salmonella can multiply to dangerous levels.
Off-flavors and odors – Spoilage bacteria will produce unpleasant tastes and smells.
Discoloration – Oxidation causes unappealing grayish or brown hues.
Slimy texture – High bacteria populations cause slippery, mushy meat.
Nutrient loss – Vitamins, healthy fats, and other nutrients degrade over time.

While whole cuts will show obvious visible signs of spoilage, the condition of ground meat is harder to decipher. When in doubt, remember the 1-2 day rule for ground venison.

Is it Safe to Refreeze Thawed Ground Venison?

If you’ve let ground venison exceed fridge life, you may be tempted to simply refreeze it. However, refreezing ground meat that has been refrigerated too long does pose some potential risks:

Bacteria present could survive freezing temperatures.
Texture and moisture are degraded each time meat is thawed.
Off-flavors develop as fats oxidize over time.
Ice crystals form and damage tissue, causing “freezer burn.”

For food safety, it is best to discard ground venison that was improperly stored in the refrigerator. Always use whole cuts within 3-5 days and ground portions within 1-2 days.

Quick Tips for Raw Venison Storage

Here are some key tips for maximizing shelf life of your venison:

Field dress deer promptly and thoroughly.
Transport on ice if time from kill to butcher will exceed 2 hours.
Butcher the deer as soon as possible upon returning.
Immediately chill all meat to 40°F or below.
Separate ground portions from whole cuts right away.
Use ground venison within 1-2 days.
Freeze any meat intended for longer term storage.

Following proper venison handling techniques will reward you with delicious, high-quality meat all season long. Waste less game by understanding optimal refrigerator storage times and methods.

Key Takeaways for Ground Venison Storage

To summarize key points on maximizing ground venison fridge life:

Chill meat to 40°F immediately after harvest.
Refrigerate whole cuts 3-5 days; ground just 1-2 days.
Monitor fridge temp; don’t rely on dial alone.
Discard ground meat if shelf life is exceeded. Do not refreeze.
Freeze venison in usable portions for longer storage.

Proper storage keeps ground venison safe to eat while maintaining excellent quality. Follow these guidelines to get the most out of your venison season.

how long can ground venison stay in the fridge

How long should you keep meat in the fridge or freezer?

FAQ

How long is raw ground venison good for in the fridge?

Venison thawed under refrigeration can be stored for 2-3 days prior to cooking and consuming. Keep raw venison separate in the refrigerator to avoid cross-contamination with other ready to eat foods or ingredients. Store raw meat on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator so juices don’t drip onto other foods.

How can you tell if ground venison is still good?

Avoid meat with brown spots as this could indicate improper storage or meat going bad. Venison meat should not be gray, show signs of freezer burn, or compromised packaging. Avoid meat that has excess liquid in its packaging.

How long can raw ground meat be stored in the refrigerator?

For raw ground meats, poultry, seafood and variety meats (liver, tongue, chitterlings, etc.), refrigerate them only 1 to 2 days before either cooking or freezing. Beef, veal, lamb and pork roasts, steaks and chops may be kept 3 to 5 days.

How long before deer meat will spoil?

Store any unfrozen meat in the refrigerator, and use it within two or three days.