How Long Dies Gd Beef Last in Freezer

How Long Can You Safely Store Ground Beef in the Freezer?

It's longer than you call up—just that doesn't mean you lot should be eating it.

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Say you lot're making meatloaf for an impromptu go-together and you lot need ground beef. Yous don't take time to run to the grocery store, only y'all remember that there are several pounds stashed in your freezer.

You pull out the footing beef, and realize that you lot forgot to label and date it. You take no idea how old it is. What do you practice? Assume the basis beef is probably fine, or throw it out just to be prophylactic?

Eating healthy should yet exist delicious.

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Foodborne disease is no joke. And with the near contempo ground beef call back—which involved 2.1 million pounds due to salmonella concerns—fresh on our minds, post-obit safe treatment practices is more important than ever right now.

Ideally, you lot should ever characterization and date any food that yous plan to freeze. Just if you run beyond something that doesn't have a date, you may exist surprised to know that this doesn't necessarily mean it'southward dangerous to eat.

More Nutrient Think News:

• Recalled Ground Beef Linked to Due east. coli Outbreak Sold at Target, Aldi, Sam's Club
• Romaine E. coli Update: FDA Pinpoints Source, Says Outbreak Isn't Over Even so
• 91,000 Pounds of Footing Turkey Recalled Due to Potential Salmonella Contagion

What'southward far more important is the temperature of your freezer. In club to finer kill any bacteria, yeast, or mold, your freezer must be set to 0°F or colder. With that said, every bit long equally food is continuously stored at 0°F or colder, it will always be safety to eat.

In fact, the main issue for properly frozen food is freshness and quality. Co-ordinate to the FDA'south freezer storage guidelines, the optimal storage time for frozen ground beef is 3 to 4 months. The same goes for whatsoever type of ground meat, including hamburger meat and ground turkey, pork, veal, or chicken.

Then, to answer the original question—yes, you technically can cook and eat the ground beef that'south been sitting in your freezer, but that doesn't mean that y'all should. Instead, learn the signs that your ground beefiness may be past its prime so you'll be able to tell if the flavor and texture take been compromised. Co-ordinate to the USDA's Freezing and Nutrient Safe guide, three potential signs to look for are freezer burn down, colour changes, and water ice crystals.

With that said, don't hazard serving your dinner guests subpar meatloaf. If you're worried, toss it out and order pizza instead. But the next fourth dimension you purchase fresh ground beef, keep in mind that you can safely shop information technology in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 days. If you aren't sure you'll use it within that time frame, it's best to go ahead and freeze information technology.

Footing Beef Freezing Tips

• Always characterization ground beef with the date and weight before freezing. Freeze large quantities of footing beefiness in one-half-pound or one-pound portions and so you can defrost the exact amount you need.
• Cheque the temperature of your freezer periodically to ensure that it's prepare to 0°F or colder. (If you don't own a freezer thermometer, you can order 1 from Amazon.)
• To prevent freezer burn, wrap the basis beef in wax paper or freezer paper.
• The safest manner to thaw frozen footing beef is in the refrigerator. Never leave it on the countertop to thaw as this exposes it to the danger zone (40°F to 140°F), the temperature range where leaner tin grow. Cook or refreeze the beef within 1 to 2 days.
• If you lose power, avoid opening the freezer door. Depending on how full your freezer is, frozen food lasts for 1 to ii days (equally long equally the door stays airtight.)

Lastly, stay up to date on food recalls by subscribing to the Food Safety and Inspection Service'due south email alerts. For big recalls like the recent ground beefiness ane, get into the habit of double-checking your freezer for the affected food, every bit this is an piece of cake identify to overlook.

For more information on rubber handling practices for raw and frozen footing beef, check out the USDA's Basis Beef and Food Safety page.

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Source: https://www.cookinglight.com/cooking-101/how-long-can-you-freeze-ground-beef

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