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Meat & Seafood

How to Store Ground Beef

Use or freeze ground beef within a day or two of buying.

Best kept: Refrigerator / Freezer

Pantry

Never

Fridge

1–2 days

Freezer

Up to 4 months

How to store it

  • Keep it in the coldest part of the fridge on the bottom shelf, in a leak-proof container.
  • Flatten portions in freezer bags for fast freezing and thawing.
  • Thaw in the fridge or in cold water, not at room temperature.

Signs it has gone bad

  • Sour smell
  • Slimy or sticky feel
  • Brown-gray throughout with off odor
  • Sticky packaging

Pro tips

  • A brown interior alone isn't spoilage — smell and texture matter most.
  • Portion before freezing so you thaw only what you need.

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