There is a difference between the shelf life of meat products that are vacuum sealed and those that are not. If you sell or ship meat, you should know about this. Meats like raw meat and deli meat usually need to be cooked or eaten within a few days of being bought so they don’t go bad. But chicken, beef, fish, and other meats can be kept for 10 days before they need to be cooked or frozen. Vacuum sealing gets rid of extra oxygen, which slows down the process of food going bad, cuts down on waste, and keeps things fresh longer. Food manufacturers, grocery stores, restaurants, meal prep kits, and specialty food suppliers can all benefit from vacuum packaging their meat.
How Long Does Cryovac Beef Last in the Fridge?
Cryovac packaging helps keep beef fresh longer than traditional wrapping methods But exactly how long does cryovac beef stay good for in the refrigerator? Here’s a detailed look at cryovac beef’s fridge life so you can maximize freshness and quality
Overview – Cryovac Beef Fridge Life
With proper refrigeration at 40°F or below, raw cryovac beef will generally last:
- Steaks – Around 4 weeks from the pack date
- Roasts – Up to 4 weeks from the pack date
- Ground Beef – About 1 week past the sell-by date
Cooked cryovac beef will keep for 3-4 days in the fridge. Always consume within this timeframe even if it still appears normal.
The use-by or sell-by date on cryovac beef packaging serves as a helpful guideline. But you can also rely on your eyes and nose – discard any beef that smells sour or shows significant discoloration.
What Is Cryovac Packaging?
Before diving into fridge life, let’s cover what exactly cryovac packaging entails. Cryovac is a patented method of vacuum sealing meat in plastic pouches. It works by:
- Removing oxygen from packages before sealing
- Filling packages with gases like CO2 or nitrogen
- Using bags that shrink tightly around the meat when heated
By limiting oxygen exposure, cryovac packing slows bacteria growth and oxidation that causes spoilage. This allows beef to stay fresher longer than traditional overwrap.
Fridge Life For Different Cuts of Cryovac Beef
Not all cuts of cryovac beef last equally as long in the fridge. Here are common types and how long they keep refrigerated:
Steaks:
- Ribeye, NY strip, filet mignon – 4 weeks
- Tenderloin, sirloin – 4 weeks
- Shoulder steak, chuck steak – 3-4 weeks
Roasts:
- Prime rib, tri-tip, chuck roast – 4 weeks
- Rump roast, round roast – 3-4 weeks
Ground beef:
- 1 week past sell-by date
Intact steaks and roasts last longer than ground beef. Their lower exposed surface area makes them less prone to spoilage. Cook or freeze ground meat within 1-2 days for optimal safety and quality.
Maximizing Cryovac Beef’s Fridge Life
Follow these tips to extend the shelf life of cryovac beef:
-
Refrigerate below 40°F. Use a thermometer to monitor fridge temp.
-
Refrigerate promptly after purchasing, within one hour if possible.
-
Look for sliminess, off-smells or unusual colors indicating spoilage.
-
Cook or freeze ground beef within 1-2 days of purchasing.
-
Keep unopened packages away from raw veggies/meats to avoid cross-contamination.
-
Opened cryovac beef will last about 3-4 days – cook within this time.
-
Don’t refreeze thawed cryovac beef – cook within 1-2 days of thawing.
The manufacturer’s use-by date is a helpful baseline. But also rely on your senses – discard any questionable smelling beef even if the date says it should be fine.
How Can You Tell If Cryovac Beef Is Spoiled?
Despite cryovac packaging’s spoilage-slowing powers, beef can eventually go bad. Signs cryovac beef has spoiled and should be discarded include:
-
Sliminess, stickiness or opaque liquid in the packaging
-
Yellow/brown/green discoloration instead of purplish-red
-
Rancid, sour or ammonia-like odors
-
Mold growth – discard meat at first sight of mold
-
Long expired use-by/sell-by date
-
An overall foul appearance or very dry, shriveled texture
Don’t taste beef with any signs of spoilage – bacteria like E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria can cause food poisoning. Cooked spoiled beef is also unsafe to eat. So inspect all cryovac packages carefully before opening.
Storing Cooked Cryovac Beef in the Fridge
Once opened and cooked, cryovac beef has a shorter fridge shelf life. Observe these cooked beef storage guidelines:
-
Refrigerate cooked beef in shallow airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking.
-
Use cooked beef within 3-4 days – don’t push it past this timeframe.
-
Check for changes in color, texture, and smell. Discard if “off”.
-
Don’t freeze cooked beef in cryovac packaging. Freeze in airtight freezer bags/containers instead.
-
Label and date packages so you track fridge time. First In, First Out.
Thanks to cryovac sealing, cooked beef lasts a bit longer than non-vacuum packed leftovers. But always err on the safe side – consume leftovers within 3-4 days and don’t leave sitting for a full week.
Freezing Cryovac Beef for Long Term Storage
Cryovac beef can be frozen for storing beyond the use-by date, with a few precautions:
-
Double wrap beef or place it inside a freezer bag to prevent freezer burn. Remove as much air as possible.
-
Label frozen packages with contents and freeze-by date. Track freezer time.
-
Freeze beef promptly after purchasing, don’t leave in the fridge.
-
Once thawed, cook within 1-2 days. Don’t refreeze. Quality declines with repeated thawing.
-
For best quality, use frozen cryovac beef within 2-3 months. Discard if freezer time is unknown.
With proper airtight wrapping and freezer temperatures of 0°F or below, cryovac beef can freeze well for 6 months plus. Just thaw safely in the fridge, never at room temp.
Other Cryovac Beef Fridge Storage FAQs
Here are some other commonly asked questions about storing cryovac beef in the refrigerator:
How can you tell if cryovac beef is still fresh?
Look for the bright purplish-red color, lack of sliminess, and fresh meat smell. Discoloration, stickiness or off-odors indicate spoilage.
Does cryovac beef need to be rinsed before cooking?
No, rinsing is not necessary and will lead to moisture loss. Simply pat off any purge or liquids from the package.
Can you cook cryovac beef without opening the bag?
No, health agencies warn against this as it can promote botulism growth. Always open cryovac bags before cooking.
Why is some cryovac beef darker than others?
Darker beef is normal with cryovac packaging and caused by lack of oxygen exposure. It doesn’t indicate spoilage.
Should you re-freeze thawed cryovac beef?
Avoid refreezing raw beef more than once, as texture really suffers. Cook thawed beef within 1-2 days and don’t refreeze.
The Bottom Line
With proper refrigeration and storage, cryovac beef can retain freshness and quality for up to 4 weeks from the pack date. Rely on the use-by date, freezing for longer storage, and your senses to determine if cryovac beef is still good. Any foul odors or appearance mean it should be discarded.
Frozen and Raw Vacuum Sealed Meat Shelf Life Benefits:
- When vacuum-packed, raw meats can be kept for up to 10 days before they need to be cooked or frozen. On the other hand, raw meat that isn’t vacuum-packed will only stay fresh in the fridge for three to five days before it goes bad.
- Frozen Meats—How long frozen raw meats can be kept in the freezer depends on the type of meat and how well they are vacuum sealed. But raw meat that isn’t vacuum-sealed will only last between one and twelve months, depending on the type of meat.
- Shipping Pros—Any food shipping service, meal prep kit provider, or food service that sends perishable foods to customers can greatly benefit from vacuum seal packaging’s longer shelf life. This helps make sure that goods don’t go bad while they’re being shipped. Read more about vacuum sealed shelf life benefits here.
Ask the Test Kitchen: How Long Will Meat Last in the Fridge?
FAQ
How long can vacuum-sealed beef stay in the fridge?
How long can you age Cryovac beef?
How can you tell if vacuum-sealed meat is still good?
How long can you keep Cryovac brisket in the fridge?