If you like to make burgers, ground beef is a good choice. But how do you know when it’s gone bad? The expiration date and changes in color, texture, and smell can help.
People often use ground beef to make savory pies, tacos, meatballs, and sausage, as well as burgers and meatballs. It accounts for about 62% of all beef sold in the United States.
But because grinding the meat makes more of its surface airy, organisms that cause food to go bad have more room to attach to it. Thus, it goes bad faster than steak or other larger cuts.
Spoilage and pathogenic bacteria may both affect ground beef. Even though these bacteria aren’t usually dangerous, they do make food less healthy and give it a bad smell and taste.
On the other hand, pathogenic bacteria are dangerous, as they can lead to food poisoning. Furthermore, spoilage makes it more likely for them to be present in your food. So, even though bacteria that cause spoilage won’t make you sick, you should always throw away spoiled ground beef to avoid eating microorganisms that do.
Ground beef may change color due to multiple factors, including temperature, light, microbial growth, and exposure to oxygen.
Because it has a lot of oxymyoglobin, which is a color made when a protein called myoglobin reacts with oxygen, fresh, raw ground beef should be red.
The interior of raw ground meat may be greyish brown due to a lack of exposure to oxygen. This doesn’t indicate spoilage.
However, ground beef that has turned brown or gray on the outside should be thrown away because it means it’s starting to go bad.
Cooked ground beef can also go bad because of mold, so throw away any leftovers if you see any fuzzy blue, gray, or green spots.
Another way to check your ground beef is by conducting a touch test. Fresh ground beef should have a relatively firm consistency that breaks apart when you squeeze it.
But a sticky or slimy texture, whether the food is raw or cooked, could mean that spoilage bacteria are present. You should toss it immediately.
To avoid spreading bacteria from one surface to another, wash your hands thoroughly after touching raw meat.
This test is probably the easiest and fastest way to determine whether meat has spoiled. It applies to both raw and cooked ground beef.
Though the scent of fresh ground beef is barely perceptible, rancid meat has a tangy, putrid odor. Once it goes bad, it’s no longer safe to eat.
The scent changes due to the increased growth of spoilage bacteria, such as Lactobacillus spp. and Pseudomonas spp. , which may also affect the flavor.
Still, it’s best to throw it away even if you don’t smell anything fishy but can see or feel that it’s going bad. Pathogenic bacteria can’t be smelled.
A sell-by date tells the retailer how long a product can be displayed for sale. Ground beef can be refrigerated and safely eaten up to 2 days past this date.
The expiration date, which is sometimes written as “best before,” tells you when the food is most likely to start going bad. Food will have the best taste and quality before this date.
Any ground beef that hasn’t been frozen will go bad after a certain date, but frozen ground beef can last up to 4 months.
You shouldn’t eat spoiled ground beef because it might have pathogenic bacteria in it, which cause foodborne illnesses. Symptoms include fever, vomiting, stomach cramps, and diarrhea — which may be bloody.
Microorganisms that cause disease grow quickly in food that has been left out at room temperature. This is especially true for food that has gone bad.
The most common harmful bacteria in ground beef are Salmonella and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). Outbreaks of infections related to these bacteria occur fairly frequently in the United States. It may take several days for symptoms to appear.
Use a meat thermometer to make sure that the internal temperature of the ground beef reaches 160°F (71°C). This will kill these bacteria and lower your risk of getting food poisoning.
Proper handling and storing are key to avoiding food poisoning from ground beef. Here are a few safety tips:
Always wash your hands well after handling ground beef, and don’t forget to clean the kitchen counters and tools.
As a meat lover, I frequently find myself staring at a pack of ground beef in my fridge that’s past its use by date. That label always makes me wonder – is it still safe to cook and eat this? Or is ground beef something that should strictly be tossed out once that date hits?
As it turns out, the use by date is not necessarily an automatic reason to discard of ground beef. However, there are important factors to consider when evaluating whether you can still safely consume it.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk through everything you need to know about the use by date on ground beef, signs of spoilage to watch for, proper storage methods, and tips for safely enjoying ground beef past its prime Let’s dive in!
What Does the Use By Date on Ground Beef Mean?
The use by date printed on ground beef packaging indicates the last date it should be eaten for best quality and safety. This date is different than the sell by date which is meant for retailers to know when to pull products from shelves.
Use by dates account for potential bacteria growth in perishable foods like ground beef. However, the date alone doesn’t necessarily mean the meat will spoil or become unsafe immediately after. Proper refrigeration and handling play key roles.
How Long Does Ground Beef Last After the Use By Date?
With proper refrigeration at 40°F or below, unopened ground beef can generally last 1-2 days past the printed use by date before significant quality loss occurs
However, once opened, it’s best to cook ground beef within 1-2 days of the use by date printed on the package. Ground beef is highly perishable since the grinding process exposes more surface area to potential bacterial contamination.
Freezing ground beef can significantly extend its shelf life to 3-4 months past the use by date when stored consistently at 0°F or below.
Assessing Safety of Ground Beef After the Use By Date
Don’t rely solely on the use by date printed on ground beef packaging when determining if it’s still usable. Make sure to also evaluate:
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Color – Fresh ground beef is bright red. Grayish brown or greenish hues indicate spoilage.
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Smell – Ground beef past its prime gives off a rancid, sour, or ammonia-like odor.
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Texture – Smooth, slimy spots or stickiness signals spoilage. Good ground beef feels firm.
If there are any signs of spoilage, it’s safest to discard the ground beef rather than risk foodborne illness. When in doubt, throw it out.
Proper Handling to Maximize Freshness
To get the most shelf life out of your ground beef and keep it safest after the use by date:
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Refrigerate at 40°F immediately after purchasing.
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Separate into useable portions and freeze any you won’t cook within 1-2 days.
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Always thaw frozen ground beef in the fridge, not at room temperature.
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Store opened packages tightly wrapped to prevent air exposure and odor absorption.
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Use clean utensils and containers to prevent cross-contamination.
Following food safety principles helps ground beef stay fresher longer after its use by date.
Is it Risky to Eat Ground Beef After the Use By Date?
Consuming spoiled ground beef past its use by date does pose some health risks:
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Foodborne pathogens like E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria can multiply, causing food poisoning.
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Off flavors or textures make the ground beef unpalatable.
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Higher populations of spoilage bacteria increase your risk of digestive issues.
Properly cooking ground beef to an internal temperature of 160°F will kill any potential harmful bacteria present. However, it won’t eliminate the unpleasant sensory changes of spoiled meat.
Tips for Safely Cooking Expired Ground Beef
If you want to consume ground beef past its use by date, follow these tips to minimize food safety risks:
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Cook immediately – don’t let it sit in the fridge any longer.
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Inspect carefully for any funky colors, smells, or textures first.
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Ensure the meat reaches an internal temperature of 160°F. Use a food thermometer to check it.
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Discard any leftovers – don’t risk eating them later.
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Stick to well-cooked applications like chili, meatballs, or casseroles rather than burgers.
It’s best to cook and consume expired ground beef within 1-2 days past its use by date for optimal freshness and safety.
When to Toss Out Ground Beef After the Use By Date
Even if stored properly, ground beef should be discarded once it shows any of the following signs:
- Strong sour, rancid, or ammonia-like smell
- Slime, stickiness, or mushy spots
- Dull brown or gray coloration
- Mold growth – discard immediately if this develops
Trust your senses. If expired ground beef seems noticeably off in appearance, texture or odor, it’s not worth the risk. Toss it out and purchase a fresh package instead.
Other Tips for Using Up Ground Beef
If you have ground beef that’s nearing expiration, here are some tips beyond cooking it:
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Freeze it for later use within 3-4 months.
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Cook and freeze meals like lasagna, meatloaf, or meatballs to eat later.
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Use it in dishes where it’s mixed with lots of spices and sauces like chili, tacos, or pasta sauce. This can help mask any off flavors.
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Cook as crumbles versus making patties or burgers, which accentuate textures.
The Final Verdict on Eating Ground Beef After Its Use By Date
At the end of the day, the use by date is a helpful but not definitive indicator of ground beef’s safety and quality. Rely on your senses, proper handling methods, and cooking temperatures as well.
With smart storage, careful inspection, and thorough cooking, ground beef can likely be safely consumed within 1-2 days after its printed use by date. But it’s critical to discard meat with any spoiled characteristics to avoid foodborne illness.
Now that you know the facts, use your best judgment when deciding whether to cook up that ground beef that’s past its prime. Just follow the safety tips outlined here and enjoy the tasty meals ground beef makes possible. Happy grilling!
Can ground beef smell a little but not expired?
All ground beef has a slight aroma of iron. Ground beef that is getting close to its expiration date may smell a little stronger, but it is still safe to eat. However, if a product has a noticeable, pungent smell, it is most likely spoiled and should be discarded.
What will bad ground beef smell like?
Spoiled ground beef will have a pungent, putrid smell. Ground beef that is safe to eat typically has little to no perceptible smell.
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FAQ
How long is ground beef good after use-by date?
How long after use-by date is beef good?
How do you know if ground beef has gone bad?
Is week old ground beef ok to eat?
How long after use-by date can you eat ground beef?
As the Use-by date indicates the quality, you can have ground beef within 24 to 48 hours after the use-by date if it is preserved properly in the refrigerator at 40 degrees F or below then it. In few cases, the ground beef gets spoiled though freezes at sufficient temperature. So, it is always good to check it once before consuming.
Are dates good to eat?
Dates are a great food. They have antioxidant properties, large amounts of fiber, and healthy fats. They help take care of the health of the brain, skin, and heart and control blood sugar levels.
How long can you eat ground beef after expiration date?
You may still use the ground beef after 1 to 3 days of the sell-by date if it is properly reserved. Whereas expiration date or “best before” date tells the nearest date of when the product starts to spoil. In case of expiration date too, it lasts for 4 months and can eat for 2 days after the date if stores properly. In summary,
Does ground beef have a use-by date?
Here’s The Truth! The use-by date, often found on the packaging of perishable foods, serves as a guiding principle for consumers regarding the last day the product should be consumed for optimal quality and safety. If the ground beef is close to the use-by date, cook it immediately and consume it within a few days.