Raw chicken is only good for two days according to the USDA. Heres what you need to know.
I really like using meat delivery services to get everything I need for dinner brought right to my door. Getting fresh chicken has made figuring out what to cook up on week nights easier, but I dont always eat everything, and often use the leftovers for lunches. However, I know chicken doesnt have a long shelf life, even after cooking. I just recently realized that eating chicken that had started to turn brown could have put me at risk of getting food poisoning.
This is especially important because summer is almost here, and poultry is a higher-risk meat than beef due to its propensity to develop E. coli and other food-borne illnesses. Thats why you never want to eat bad chicken, and storing it properly is key to avoiding sickness.
The USDA says that chicken can only be cooked and eaten 48 hours after it is bought, but that’s just a safety measure and doesn’t mean that the bird is bad.
If youre wondering whether or not your chicken is bad or how long it is good for in the fridge, we have answers. Here, we explain how long chicken typically lasts in the fridge and freezer — both cooked and uncooked — and how to know when its time to put that poultry out to pasture.
How Far Past the Sell By Date Can You Safely Eat Chicken?
Chicken is one of the most popular proteins worldwide, but it also spoils quickly if not handled properly Many consumers get confused about how long chicken lasts after the sell by date printed on the package Can you still use chicken safely if it’s past the sell by date? Let’s find out.
What Does the Sell By Date Mean?
The “sell by” date is not a waste or safety date. It’s the last day that stores should have the item on display for sale. The sell by date helps stores keep track of their stock and make sure the quality of their products.
According to the USDA, consumers can still use chicken for 1-2 days after the sell by date, as long as it was properly refrigerated at 40°F or below But remember, the sell by date is not the definitive guide for safety You still need to rely on your senses and proper storage guidelines.
How Can You Tell If Chicken Has Gone Bad?
If you want to know if your chicken is still good, don’t just look at the “sell by” date. Look for these signs of spoilage in raw chicken:
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Change in color – Raw chicken should be pale pink. It’s bad if it’s turned gray, green, or yellow.
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Slimy texture – Fresh chicken has a glossy look. If it feels sticky, slimy or tacky, it is spoiled.
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Foul odor – Raw chicken has a mild odor. If it smells unpleasant or sour, it has gone bad.
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Mold growth – This is an obvious sign of spoilage. Discard moldy chicken.
If you notice any of these characteristics, do not risk eating the chicken. When unsure, remember it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Follow Proper Storage
To maximize the shelf life of raw chicken, proper storage is crucial. Here are some tips:
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Store chicken in the coldest part of the refrigerator, at 40°F or below.
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Keep it in the box it came in until you’re ready to use it. Reseal packages properly after opening.
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If repackaging chicken, use moisture-proof packing like zip top bags or airtight containers.
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Don’t overcrowd the fridge. Allow for airflow around packages.
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Separate raw chicken from other foods, especially produce.
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Use chicken within 1-2 days of the sell by date for safety and quality.
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Freeze chicken if you can’t use it in time. It will last 9 months in the freezer.
Factors Affecting How Long Chicken Lasts
Several factors impact how long chicken stays fresh and retains quality after the sell by date:
Storage Temperature
Proper refrigeration is key. Chicken spoils faster between 40°F and 140°F when bacteria multiply rapidly.
Product Quality
High-quality chicken stored at optimal temperatures lasts longer. Check for signs of spoilage when purchasing.
Packaging
Chicken in intact, well-sealed packaging keeps longer. If packaging is torn, don’t purchase it.
Freezer Storage
Frozen chicken typically lasts up to 9 months if stored continuously at 0°F or below.
Cooking Method
Cooked chicken doesn’t last as long as raw. Store cooked chicken in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to common questions consumers have about the sell by date and chicken safety:
How many days after the sell by date is chicken still good?
The USDA says you can safely use chicken 1-2 days past the sell by date if it has been refrigerated properly at 40°F or below.
Can I freeze chicken after the sell by date?
Yes, you can safely freeze raw chicken before or right at the sell by date for optimal quality. Frozen properly, it lasts up to 9 months.
Is it safe to eat cooked chicken 1 week after the sell by date?
No. Cooked chicken only lasts 3-4 days in the fridge. Do not eat cooked chicken more than 4 days after cooking.
What if frozen chicken has ice crystals on it?
A few ice crystals are normal for frozen products. But if the chicken is discolored or has large ice chunks, it may be damaged from freezer burn. It’s best not to eat it.
Can I cook and eat chicken that smells a bit off?
No. Any unpleasant or foul odor indicates spoilage. Do not risk eating chicken that smells bad or questionable.
What if the sell by date passed but the chicken looks and smells fine?
It may still be fine if it has been continuously refrigerated at 40°F or below. But it’s impossible to tell just by look and smell alone. For safety, it’s best to discard it.
Is it safe to consume raw chicken past the sell by date?
Absolutely not. Only cook thoroughly before eating. Consuming raw chicken comes with risks of food poisoning.
The sell by date is meant to indicate peak freshness, not safety. You cannot rely on it alone to determine if chicken is still usable. Always inspect for signs of spoilage and adhere to safe storage guidelines. When in doubt, remember it’s better to throw it out than risk getting sick from bad chicken.
How long is cooked chicken good for in the fridge?
Cooked chicken has a far lower likelihood of developing bacteria but it can still make you sick if you wait too long to eat it, even if it has been stored in the fridge. The USDA recommends you eat chicken within four days of cooking it. Like raw chicken, it should also be stored at under 40 degrees F to avoid rapid spoiling.
How long does raw chicken last in the fridge?
The USDA recommends cooking chicken one or two days after you buy it. If that seems conservative and sooner than the sell-by date on the package, thats because it is — but theres a reason for that. The sell-by, use-by or freeze-by date may be as long as a week from when you bought it, but thats just the chicken producers guess as to how long the chicken will be at optimal taste before it starts deteriorating in quality.
As many in this Reddit thread and others assert, you can probably split the difference without serious ramifications, but you should never eat chicken thats been in the fridge for more than three or four days. The reason why chicken isnt necessarily safe to eat until that sell-by date is two-fold:
For one, that date isnt issued by a regulating body, but rather by the brand. Even though chicken brands have to think about safety for customers, their main goal is to get stores to buy their product. The longer its “good for,” the better chance theyll have of making a larger sale.
It’s also because meat fridges and coolers in grocery stores are usually colder than fridges in most homes. A normal fridge has to keep meat cold without freezing delicate vegetables and other groceries. Supermarket meat coolers only need to keep meat cold, so they can be at lower resting temperatures. Chicken kept at a colder temperature is naturally going to last longer.
How Long Is Chicken Good After Sell By Date? GUIDE
FAQ
How long is chicken good for after the sell-by date?
If you keep raw chicken in the fridge the right way, you can cook and eat it up to two days after the “sell-by” date. According to CNET, the sell-by date is just a way for the store to keep track of their stock. It doesn’t mean the chicken is unsafe to eat after that date.
Can I eat chicken 4 days after the sell-by date on Reddit?
It should be fine by the sell by date. So, if you open it then and find that it’s really sticky or smells bad, throw it away right away.
How far past a sell-by date can you use chicken?
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.
Is it safe to eat chicken after the sale by date?
It’s generally not safe to eat raw chicken that is past its expiration date, even by just one day. The expiration date is there to ensure food safety, and consuming chicken that is past this date can pose a risk of foodborne illness due to bacteria like Salmonella or Campylobacter.