How Long Does Ground Beef Last in the Fridge? (Raw and Cooked)
Published · 4 min read
Raw ground beef lasts 1–2 days in the fridge, cooked ground beef 3–4 days. In the freezer, raw ground beef keeps its best quality for 3–4 months.
Ground beef storage times
| Ground beef | Fridge | Freezer |
|---|---|---|
| Raw | 1–2 days | 3–4 months |
| Raw, thawed in the fridge | 1–2 days | Can be refrozen raw |
| Cooked (taco meat, sauce, meatballs) | 3–4 days | 2–3 months |
How to store and thaw
- Keep it in the coldest part of the fridge, on the bottom shelf so juices can’t drip onto other food.
- Freeze it flat in a zip bag; it thaws in a few hours instead of a day.
- Thaw in the fridge, not on the counter. In a hurry, use cold water (change it every 30 minutes) or the microwave and cook right away.
- Cook to 71 °C (160 °F) in the center.
Signs ground beef is bad
A sour or rotten smell, a sticky or slimy surface, or grey-green color all over. Grey only on the inside is normal.
Cook it today in our ground beef taco bowls. More foods in the fridge storage chart.
Questions
How long does raw ground beef last in the fridge?
Raw ground beef keeps for 1–2 days in the fridge at 4 °C (40 °F) or below. Freeze it if you won’t cook it by then.
Is grey ground beef bad?
Not necessarily. The inside of ground beef often turns grey because it isn’t exposed to oxygen. A sour smell or sticky texture are the real warning signs.
