Ground beef is a kitchen staple for many home cooks. Its versatility allows it to be used in everything from weeknight tacos to weekend burgers on the grill. However, like any perishable food, ground beef has a limited shelf life. This is where freezing comes in handy for extending the usable timeframe. But how long exactly can you keep frozen ground beef past the freeze by date and still have it be safe to eat? Let’s find out.
Understanding the Freeze By Date
The freeze by date, sometimes labeled as a sell by date, on ground beef refers to the last day it should be sold at the grocery store for quality purposes. It does not signify safety or when the meat will spoil. Once purchased, ground beef can be safely frozen at home for use well past this printed date.
Proper Storage Is Key
To maximize ground beef’s freezer shelf life, proper storage is essential:
-
Freeze promptly after purchasing – don’t leave in fridge for more than a day or two
-
Package in airtight materials like freezer bags or plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn Remove as much air as possible.
-
Maintain a constant freezer temperature of 0°F or below. Any fluctuations can decrease shelf life.
-
Avoid overpacking the freezer, as this reduces air circulation needed to maintain 0°F temperature.
-
Place frozen ground beef on a lower shelf to prevent meat juices from accidentally dripping onto it during access.
Freezer Shelf Life for Optimal Quality
For best quality, frozen ground beef is recommended to be used within:
-
3-4 months for ground beef patties or loose ground beef
-
9-12 months for larger cuts like roasts and steaks
Frozen ground beef kept constantly at 0°F may still be safe beyond these timeframes, but the texture and flavor can decline notably. Discoloration and freezer burn also increase over time.
What Happens When Frozen Ground Beef Is Kept Too Long?
Here are the common signs that frozen ground beef has surpassed its prime freezer shelf life:
-
Dull, faded red color instead of vibrant cherry red
-
Dry, stringy texture instead of tender and juicy
-
Unpleasant odors when thawing or cooking
-
Excess moisture loss resulting in shrunken patties
-
Development of large ice crystals or freezer burn
-
Off or bitter flavors
While these quality issues don’t necessarily make frozen ground beef unsafe, the eating experience is significantly poorer.
Is Frozen Ground Beef Ever Unsafe to Eat?
Frozen ground beef that is properly stored at 0°F should stay safe from harmful bacteria growth indefinitely. However, rarely frozen meat may have been subjected to temperature fluctuations that could potentially allow bacteria like salmonella to multiply over time, especially past 1-2 years. When in doubt, it is best to discard very old frozen ground beef.
Tips for Safely Cooking Frozen Ground Beef Past Its Prime
If you plan to cook frozen ground beef that is past its optimal quality date, follow these tips:
-
Inspect carefully and check for off odors before thawing and cooking. If unsure, discard.
-
Defrost frozen ground beef thoroughly in the refrigerator, not on the counter or in warm water.
-
Cook frozen ground beef immediately after thawing and do not refreeze raw.
-
Cook burgers and patties to an internal temperature of 160°F, measured with a meat thermometer.
-
Boil ground crumbles until no pink remains and then continue cooking for 3-5 minutes as an extra safety measure.
Alternatives to Using Old Frozen Ground Beef
Rather than take a chance on frozen ground beef past its prime, here are some options:
-
Use it within recommended freezer time frames for best quality.
-
Cook frozen ground beef soon before the 3-4 month mark.
-
Defrost and cook immediately, then use within next 3-5 days.
-
Try a different type of meat or vegetarian protein source.
The Takeaway on Frozen Ground Beef Shelf Life
When stored properly and consistently at 0°F, frozen ground beef can technically last indefinitely in terms of safety. However, for ideal taste and texture, it’s best to cook frozen ground beef within 3-4 months for patties or loose meat and 9-12 months for larger cuts. Monitor aging signs and discard questionable frozen meat. Follow safe thawing and cooking procedures, especially for older frozen ground beef.
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.
How long does Fresh Meat keep? | BBD Series Part 9
FAQ
Can you eat ground beef after freeze by date?
How long is beef good for after use or freeze by date?
Can frozen ground beef go bad in the freezer?
Can I use 2 year old frozen ground beef?
How long does ground beef last in the freezer?
The beef should be stored at or below 33°F. If you freeze the ground beef on the day the sell-by date expires, it will last for 3-4 weeks in the freezer. Whether or not the sell-by date is passed, if the ground beef shows signs of spoilage, do not eat it. Toss it in the trash. How Do I Know if Ground Beef Is Spoiled?
When should ground beef be frozen?
The freeze by date indicates the timeframe ground beef should be frozen by for best quality. It is not an expiration date, but rather a guideline for freezing freshness. Ground beef can still be safely frozen and consumed past this date with minimal impact on quality. Typically raw ground beef should be frozen within 1-2 days of purchase.
How long does ground beef last after sell-by date?
However, if you went home immediately after purchasing the ground beef, it is likely to last a few days after the sell-by date. On average, ground beef will last 2-3 days after the sell-by day. The beef should be stored at or below 33°F. If you freeze the ground beef on the day the sell-by date expires, it will last for 3-4 weeks in the freezer.
How long can thawed ground beef stay in the fridge?
Let’s say you left raw ground beef in the fridge for 7 days—if the meat still wasn’t 3 days past its sell-by date (or showed any signs of spoilage), it would still be safe to eat. Thawed ground beef can chill in the refrigerator for 1-2 days.