How Long Does Ground Beef Last In The Freezer?
Read on to find out how long ground beef lasts in the freezer. Hint: It's probably not as long as you think.
Fact checked by Jillian DaraMedically reviewed by Carolyn O'Neil, MS, RDN
It's always a good idea to have a pound (or even more) of ground beef in the freezer. This quick-cooking protein is the foundation of so many comforting meals—spaghetti sauce, meatloaf, casseroles, meatballs, tacos, and of course, burgers. Think of ground meat—whether it's beef, turkey, chicken, or pork—as a secret weapon that can be combined with whatever happens to be in your refrigerator or pantry to make dinner happen at a moment's notice.
Freezer Storage Tip
Separate large amounts of ground beef into one pound or half pound portions so you can thaw just what you need for recipes later.
How To Freeze Ground Beef To Maintain Flavor
As you may know, foods that have been frozen are safe to eat indefinitely, if they have been stored properly at the right temperature. As you may also know, just because something is safe to eat doesn't mean it will taste good. For the best flavor and texture, the United States Department of Agriculture says frozen ground beef should be cooked and eaten within four months.
What exactly does ground beef taste like, if frozen too long? When left in the freezer too long, the cellular structure of the meat starts to deteriorate. due to ice crystals that begin to form. This is where the flavor starts to become lost, leading to a less enjoyable taste, overall. You will not fully know how affected your frozen meat is until you thaw it out, but knowing that the flavor threshold stands at four months will give you even more cause to date your frozen ground beef.
How To Package Frozen Beef
If you picked up a few pounds of "buy one get one" ground meat at the grocery store and want it to last for four months, you need to know how to store it so that the meat is exposed to as little air as possible. This will prevent freezer burn and discoloration. While you can freeze meat in its supermarket packaging (typically a shrink-wrapped plastic container), it's not ideal. The plastic wrap is permeable enough for air to get in. Instead, wrap the container with a layer or two of heavy-duty aluminum foil and write the date on the foil so you'll know how long it's been in the freezer.
If your beef was sold wrapped in butcher paper or in a plastic bag, you also need to create a barrier to protect it from the air. Wrap the meat tightly in plastic wrap or put it in a ziplock freezer bag and push out as much air as possible. Then, cover it with a layer of heavy-duty aluminum foil and date the package.
Tip
You can cook ground beef while frozen as long as it cooks at the proper temperature. Frozen ground beef should cook at temperatures above 140°F to prevent bacteria from developing.
How To Thaw Your Beef Safely
In the Refrigerator
Put the zip-top bag with the frozen meat in the refrigerator.
It's best to place the meat on a plate so any condensation from the bag won't drip over other items.
When using this method, cook thawed meat within one to two days.
In the Microwave
Put frozen ground beef, still in its zip-top bag, on a plate in the microwave.
Using the defrost setting, start defrosting for three to four minutes.
Flip the meat halfway through your set defrost time.
Microwave wattages vary, so keeping your eye on the meat is a best practice.
Some ground beef may have started cooking during defrosting, which is safe, but you should cook the meat immediately.
It's also safe to place ground beef that is still a little frozen in the middle into your skillet to begin cooking.
In Cool Water
You will need to set your zip-top bag in a large amount of water for this technique. Using the sink or large bowl will work.
Cover the frozen meat fully by weighing the package down with something heavy like a skillet or big platter.
Keeping the meet submerged is the key. The water must be changed every 30 minutes to minimize bacteria.
It will take about an hour, maybe less, to thaw a pound of ground beef this way. Cook immediately after thawing.
How Long Does Cooked Beef Last In The Fridge?
If ground beef is refrigerated promptly, within 2 hours after cooking (1 hour if the temperature is above 90°F), it can be safely refrigerated for about 3 or 4 days. When reheating fully cooked patties or casseroles containing ground beef, be sure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (73.9°C).
To keep bacterial levels low, store ground beef at 40°F (4.4°C) or below and use within 2 days, or freeze. Never leave ground beef or any perishable food out at room temperature for more than 2 hours, and if 90°F (32.2°C) and above, refrigerate within 1 hour.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is partially cooking beef for later use a safe practice?
Partially cooking ground beef ahead of time, for use later, is not safe. It allows harmful bacteria to survive and multiply. Further cooking cannot destroy this bacteria.
What is the safe temperature of cooked beef?
To destroy harmful bacteria, cook ground beef to a safe minimum internal temperature of 160°F (71.1°C) as measured with a food thermometer.
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