How long does cooked ground beef last in the refrigerator?
In this brief guide, we are going to answer the question “how long does cooked ground beef last in the refrigerator” with an in-depth analysis of the shelf life of cooked ground beef in different conditions. Moreover, we are going to discuss the different ways to tell if your ground beef has gone bad and the health implications of eating bad ground beef.
Beef is a delicious and proteinaceous food item that is almost used in every cuisine around the world in one way or another. So if you have cooked your ground beef in a larger amount than you need and are wondering about “how long does cooked ground beef last in the refrigerator”, then you need not worry as we are going to give you a thorough overview of the shelf life of cooked ground beef.
So without much ado, let’s dive in and figure out more about it.
How long does cooked ground beef last in the refrigerator?
Cooked ground beef lasts for about 3-4 days if stored at approximately 40°F or below in the fridge according to the standards set by the USDA. It should be stored in air-tight containers or plastic zipper bags on one of the shelves of the refrigerator.
Moreover, as beef is a highly perishable commodity therefore care should be taken while handling, storing, and cooking it.
How long does cooked ground beef last in the freezer?
Cooked ground beef if kept wrapped in an aluminum foil in an air-tight container or air-tight plastic freezer bag can last for up to 4 months in the freezer. Thus keeping the cooked chicken in the freezer will increase its shelf life considerably owing to the cool temperature of the freezer that halts the bacterial growth on the chicken.
How long does ground beef keep at room temperature?
Cooked ground beef lasts for about 2 hours when kept at room temperature. You should discard the cooked ground beef that has been left in open for more than 2 hours as bacterial growth takes place at a faster pace between the temperature of 40°F and 140°F, therefore there are greater chances of the cooked ground beef being already contaminated with bacteria when left out for more than 2 hours.
What is the optimum temperature to store cooked ground beef?
You should always store your cooked ground beef at 40°F or below. Bacterial growth takes place at a faster pace between the temperature of 40°F and 140°F, therefore it is always advised to store your cooked ground beef at a lower temperature.
How long does cooked ground beef last after being frozen and thawed?
Frozen cooked ground beef if thawed in the refrigerator can stay there for 1-2 days before reheating and consuming it. But if you thaw your cooked ground beef in a bowl of cold water or the microwave, it is advised to use it immediately after heating it till its internal temperature rises to 165 °F.
How to tell if the ground beef has gone bad?
You can tell whether or not your ground beef has gone bad by considering its appearance, texture, and smell.
Appearance
If you can see the color of the beef changes from red to more of a grey or brown or if you can spot molds, not on the surface of the raw ground beef then it is the indication that your ground beef has gone bad.
Several factors can be responsible for a change in the color of the ground beef and that includes light, oxidation reactions, temperature, and bacterial contamination.
Texture
If you can feel something slimy or gooey while touching the ground beef then it means that your ground beef has gone bad. This thing applies to both the raw and cooked ground beef.
Smell
If you can smell something acidic or putrid then it means that your ground beef has gone bad and you should discard it. This thing applies to both the cooked and raw ground beef.
What will happen if you eat ground beef that has gone bad?
Eating ground beef that has gone bad can put you at the risk of many food-borne illnesses especially food poisoning. Eating bad ground beef can cause vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain.
Ground beef can have bacteria like Salmonella, Campylobacter, E.coli, and Listeria on it, which can cause serious health implications if consumed.
Other FAQs about Beef which you may be interested in.
Can you leave beef out to thaw?
Conclusion
In this brief guide, we answered the question “how long does cooked ground beef last in the refrigerator” with an in-depth analysis of the shelf life of cooked ground beef in different conditions. Moreover, we discussed the different ways to tell if your ground beef has gone bad and the health implications of eating bad ground beef.
Citations
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/ways-to-tell-if-ground-beef-is-bad
https://www.stilltasty.com/fooditems/index/16508
