You reach into the fridge for the pack of ground beef you bought a few days ago, ready to make burgers. But you pause when you notice the use by date was yesterday. Is it still safe to cook and eat?
With beef and other meats, the use by dates are helpful guidelines but not definitive. Freshness and quality begin declining past the date, but the beef may still be safe if handled properly.
In this guide we’ll cover everything you need to know about eating beef after the use by date including
- How to tell if expired beef is safe to eat
- Proper storage to maximize freshness
- Safe handling and cooking of older beef
- How beef type affects shelf life
- When to throw out expired beef
- Alternatives uses for beef past its prime
With some caution and common sense, beef can often be safely enjoyed a few days past its prime. Read on to become an expert on determining when beef is still okay to cook and eat after the use by date.
How to Tell If Expired Beef is Safe to Eat
Beef can sometimes be safely consumed 1-3 days past its use by date, depending on a few factors:
- Type of beef – Ground beef has a shorter shelf life than steak
- Storage that was done right: Was it kept at 40°F or below all the time? Higher temperatures speed up spoilage.
- Package integrity – Is the packaging undamaged and still airtight? Oxygen causes faster spoilage
- Color and smell – Fresh beef is bright red and smells neutral. Off odors or browning/grey hues signal spoilage.
Using your senses is the best way to tell if expired beef is still good to eat. Trust your eyes and nose: if it has changed color or smell, it’s best to be safe and throw it away.
Proper Storage to Maximize Beef Freshness
To help beef last as long as possible proper storage from purchase to plate is key
- Store in original airtight packaging. Re-wrap if opened.
- Keep beef in the coldest part of the refrigerator, at 40°F or below.
- Place in a shallow pan to catch any leakage.
- Use ground beef within 1-2 days, steaks/roasts within 3-5 days.
- Freeze for longer storage. Thaw under refrigeration, never at room temp.
Proper chilling paired with careful date tracking helps extend beef’s shelf life and window of safe consumption past the use by date
Safe Handling of Beef After the Use By Date
Once beef passes its use by date, extra care must be taken when handling to prevent illness:
- Inspect closely and rely on your senses – if it has an off color or smell, don’t risk eating it.
- Discard if there is any sliminess, stickiness or mold present.
- Cook expired ground beef thoroughly to 160°F minimum internal temperature.
- Cook steaks/roasts to 145°F minimum internal temperature.
- Discard any leftover cooked expired beef rather than saving it.
As long as expired beef still looks and smells fresh, cooking it thoroughly kills any bacteria present and renders it safe to eat. However, don’t attempt to extend storage of cooked expired beef; eat immediately.
How Beef Type Affects Shelf Life
Not all beef lasts the same amount of time past its use by date. Here are some general guidelines based on cut:
- Ground beef – Lasts 1-3 days past “sell by” date. Higher surface area means faster spoilage.
- Steaks – Typically safe 3-5 days past the date if properly refrigerated.
- Roasts – Like steak, roasts can often last 3-5 days past “sell by” date.
- Frozen beef – Remains safe indefinitely if constantly kept frozen, but quality declines over months.
- Processed beef – Pre-cooked lunch meats generally last 3-5 days past date. Unopened hot dogs can go 1-2 weeks past.
Keep in mind certain types like ground and processed beef have a shorter window of safe consumption beyond the date on the package.
When Expired Beef is No Longer Safe
While beef can sometimes last past the use by date, there comes a point where it is no longer safe to cook and eat. Discard expired beef that shows any of the following signs:
- Strong unpleasant odors
- Slimy texture or stickiness
- Significant darkening in color
- Mold or patches of dryness
- An overall dull, faded appearance
If old beef exhibits a noticeably “off” odor, texture, or appearance, it should not be risked. At the first signs of spoilage, throw it out. Don’t taste expired beef to determine if it’s still good or not.
What to Do With Beef That’s Past Its Prime
If it’s nearing or just passed the use by date, beef that is still fresh and safe can be cooked and eaten immediately. However, beef that is clearly past its prime should be discarded. Here are some options:
- Throw it in the compost bin if available
- Double wrap and dispose in regular garbage
- Freeze until garbage day to contain odors
- Contact local waste department about proper meat disposal
While cooking and consuming beef 1-3 days past its date can be safe when done carefully, there comes a point where you have to cut your losses and say goodbye to beef that is well on its way out.
The Bottom Line
The use by dates on beef are helpful but not definitive. With careful inspection, storage, handling, and cooking, beef can often be safely prepared and enjoyed 1-3 days past the package date, depending on the cut. However, at the first signs of spoilage, it’s best to play it safe and discard beef rather than risk getting sick from eating meat that is past its prime.
Dates on meat packages – Sell by, use by, freeze by, packaged on, expiration date
Ever wonder why different food has different indicator dates on the package and what they mean?
It can be really confusing to look at an indicator date on a package and see a variety of different terms. If there is a misunderstanding of what the date means, the safety of the food product and those consuming it could be compromised. Michigan State University Extension recommends keeping your refrigerator at the proper temperature, less than 40 degrees Fahrenheit. It is important that continuous refrigerated or frozen storage be used with meat products that are not shelf stable.
Sell by – This creates an easy date for the retailer to know when the product has to be removed from their shelf and disposed of instead of being sold. In general, consumers have one to three days to use that meat product if it is fresh before there would be concern from a safety standpoint. Typically retailers will mark down the price of a product if the sell by date is near. That can create an opportunity for consumers to purchase something that is still acceptable from a safety and quality standpoint at a bargain as long as the consumer goes home and uses the product right away.
Use by/Freeze by – This type of dating system is clearest for the consumer. If the food is fresh, it needs to be eaten by or before the date written on the package. If you want to keep it longer, you can freeze it. Meat that has been frozen can be kept for anywhere from one to twelve months, depending on the type of meat (chicken, turkey, pork, lamb, or beef). If the product is frozen and kept frozen, safety does not become an issue.
Printed on: This kind of date is often found on fresh meat, but it also gives customers the most room to make a mistake. After being packaged in butcher paper wrap or the usual meat tray overwrap style, most fresh meat can be kept in the fridge for up to three days. If the product is vacuum-packed with a good seal and the air is taken out of the package, it can be stored for up to seven days after it was bought in a store.
Expiration date – For consumers, expiration dates are very user friendly. Simply, the product needs to be used on or before the expiration date from a safety standpoint. These dates don’t show up on meat packages very often, but they do show up on some processed meats.
Another question that is common relates to processed meat products. Once a processed meat product (ham, hot dog, lunchmeat, etc. If the package is opened, the food should be good for seven days, unless there is another date on the package that has already passed. After the seven days, the product should not be consumed. Within seven days, the rest of the hot dogs must be eaten or frozen after the package of hot dogs has been opened and some have been cooked and eaten. If you go to the deli and received sliced lunchmeat, eat that within seven days.
Stay on top of dates and acceptable storage times to reduce food waste. But when in doubt, throw it out.
Food expiration dates don’t mean what you think – Carolyn Beans
FAQ
How long is beef good after use-by date?
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Type of Fresh Meat
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Refrigerator (40 °F or below)
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Freezer (0 °F or below)
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Hamburger, ground beef, turkey, veal, pork, lamb, mixtures of them & products made with any of these ingredients
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1 to 2 days
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3 to 4 months
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Steaks
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3 to 5 days
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4 to 12 months
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Chops
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3 to 5 days
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4 to 12 months
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Roasts
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3 to 5 days
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4 to 12 months
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Can I eat beef one day out of date?
Can I cook steak 1 day after use-by date?
Is it okay to eat something 1 day after use-by date?
Can you eat ground beef past the use-by date?
If you’re unsure about the safety of using ground beef past the use-by date, consider these alternatives: Freeze the Ground Beef: Freezing ground beef extends its shelf life significantly. Cook the Ground Beef Immediately: If the ground beef is close to the use-by date, cook it immediately and consume it within a few days.
Is it safe to eat food after a use-by date?
Some foods deteriorate over time in a way that may present a food safety risk. On most packaged food, depending on the product, you will see either: A use-by date on food is about safety. This is the most important date to remember. Never eat food after the use-by date, even if it looks and smells ok, as it could make you very ill.
When should you buy expired meat?
You should buy the product before this date passes. A Best-if-used-by date (or -before) is recommended for best flavor or quality. It is not a purchase or safety date. A Use-by date is the last date recommended for use of the product while at peak quality. The product manufacturer determines this date. Is Expiring Meat Safe to Buy?
Can you eat steak that is past its use by date?
In conclusion, yes you can absolutely eat steak that is past its use by date. As long as the steak is in a good state (no mold, smells fine, no discoloration), there are no signs of food poisoning, and it’s been stored correctly you should be absolutely fine.