Corned beef is a salty cured meat product that comes with a sell by date printed on the packaging But the sell by date is not an expiration or safety date With proper refrigerated storage, corned beef stays fresh and safe to eat for a period of time after that sell by date.
Follow this guide to understand just how long you can keep corned beef past its sell by date.
Overview of Corned Beef Types
There are two main kinds of corned beef:
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Uncooked corned beef brisket or round cuts packed in brine solution. Needs cooking before eating.
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Fully cooked, shelf-stable canned corned beef. Just needs warming before serving.
Both types come with a sell by date – but this is simply a general guideline for quality, not a hard-and-fast expiration date.
Sell By Date vs. Expiration Date
The sell by date tells retailers when the manufacturer recommends selling or using the corned beef for best flavor and texture. It is not an indicator of when the meat becomes unsafe.
As long as refrigerated properly, corned beef can be safely eaten for a period after the sell by date as long as there are no signs of spoilage.
Refrigerator Shelf Life After Sell By Date
With continuous refrigeration below 40°F corned beef stays fresh for
- 5-7 days past sell by date if unopened
- 3-5 days past sell by date if opened
The sell by date is a general guideline – always rely on your senses. If it smells fine and looks normal, corned beef is likely still good. Discard any funky smelling meat.
Freezer Storage Past Sell By Date
For extended shelf life, freeze corned beef:
- Up to 2 months past sell by if unopened
- Up to 1 month past sell by if opened
Freezing locks in freshness and stops bacteria growth so corned beef lasts longer.
Canned Corned Beef After Sell By Date
Properly stored canned corned beef has an incredibly long shelf life of:
- 2-5 years past sell by date if unopened
- 5-7 days once opened and refrigerated
An intact can prevents bacteria from entering. Refrigerate after opening and use within a week.
Signs Corned Beef Has Spoiled
Look for these signs that corned beef has gone bad and needs to be tossed:
- Mold growth
- Strong, unpleasant sour or rotten smell
- Slime formation or very sticky texture
- Greenish, grey, or dull unnatural colors
- Off tastes and smells, even after cooking
Don’t consume corned beef with any signs of spoilage. It can cause food poisoning.
Proper Storage for Freshness
To maximize freshness and shelf life:
- Refrigerate unopened corned beef at 40°F or below
- Reseal or wrap opened packages tightly
- Use opened corned beef within 3-5 days
- Monitor cans for damage, leakage, bulges
- Freeze for long term storage
Proper refrigeration temperature prevents bacterial growth.
Safe Handling Past Sell By Date
Sell by date or not, always practice safe food handling with corned beef:
- Discard if foul odor, sliminess, or mold
- Rinse brine thoroughly before cooking
- Cook to 160°F minimum internal temperature
- Don’t let sit out longer than 2 hours after opening
- Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours
- Reheat thoroughly before serving again
Following food safety guidelines helps protect you from potential bacteria that can grow on corned beef over time.
Creative Uses for Leftover Corned Beef
Breathe new life into leftover cooked corned beef:
- Hash with potatoes or scrambled eggs
- Sandwiches with Swiss cheese and sauerkraut
- Filled omelettes or breakfast tacos
- Salads topped with sliced corned beef
- Hearty bean, cabbage, or potato soup
- Pizza topping in lieu of pepperoni
- Mix into fried rice or pasta
- Corned beef dip or spread
With some creativity, you can give leftover corned beef delicious new purpose. Reduce waste while enjoying its signature flavor.
Bottom Line
The sell by date on corned beef is not an expiration date. Unopened, it stays fresh 5-7 days past that date, and opened corned beef keeps for 3-5 days with refrigeration. Monitor canned corned beef for damage.
Rely on your senses – if it looks and smells fine, corned beef is likely still good to eat or cook with for a period after the sell by date. Just be sure to follow all food safety practices.
Buying and storing corned beef
- Check the “sell by” date on corned beef that hasn’t been cooked that comes in a pouch with pickling juices.
- Store it unopened in the refrigerator 5 to 7 days. Items with a “use-by” date can be kept in the fridge until that date unopened.
- Not-cooked corned beef brisket can be frozen as long as it is well-wrapped and drained. Remember that salt makes food go bad and change its texture, but it’s still safe to eat. Try to use within a month or two.
- After cooking, corned beef can be kept in the fridge for three to four days. You can also freeze cooked beef 2 to 3 months.
Although “fork-tender” is a good indicator of doneness, we recommend using a meat thermometer or instant-read thermometer to be sure.
- After taking the brisket off the heat, let it sit for about 10 minutes. This will make it easier to cut. I find it easier to cut meat across the grain diagonally most of the time.
- If you want to cool a whole corned beef faster, cut it into several smaller pieces or slice it. Put the meat in shallow, small containers and quickly cool it in the fridge.
DEBUNKING THE CANNED GOOD EXPIRATION DATE MYTH
FAQ
Can you eat corned beef after the sell-by date?
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