How long does it take for ground beef to go bad after thawing?

Ground beef that's been defrosted in the fridge can be safely kept for an additional one to two days in the refrigerator before cooking, says the U.S. Department of Agriculture. And since you thawed the ground beef in the fridge, you can also safely refreeze it within that same timeframe, says the USDA.

How long is ground beef good after thaw?

Information. While foods are in the process of thawing in the refrigerator (40 °F or less), they remain safe. After thawing, use ground meats, poultry, and fish within one or two additional days, and use beef, pork, lamb or veal (roasts, steaks, or chops) within three to five days.

Is ground beef good for 72 hours after it's defrosted?

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, ground beef that has been defrosted in the refrigerator can be safely stored for a further one to two days in the refrigerator before cooking.

How can you tell if thawed ground beef is bad?

Ground beef should be brilliant red on the exterior and brownish on the interior when it's fresh from the butcher. If the surface has gotten completely brown or gray, or if mold has developed on it, it has gone rotten and should be thrown away.

Is ground beef good after 3 days in fridge?

Storing meat

Uncured, raw meat generally lasts safely for around three days in the refrigerator. If you plan to keep uncooked meat longer, freezing it is your best bet. Seal the meat in an airtight package before freezing. Then, it can usually be frozen for at least several months.

Here's How To Tell If Ground Beef Has Gone Bad

Is ground beef bad if it turns GREY?

If you open a package of ground beef and find the interior meat looks gray, it's likely because the meat hasn't been exposed to oxygen. In that case, the meat is still safe to eat, provided it doesn't have any other indicators of spoilage (read more on that below).

How can you tell if beef is spoiled?

Why does ground beef turn GREY?

That's right—bright red, the color we associate with beef, isn't an indicator of freshness. When the surface of the meat comes into contact with oxygen, it turns red. If the meat is not exposed to oxygen, it changes to a gray-brown hue.

What does spoiled ground beef look like?

You want your ground beef to be red in color. When you see brown or dull grey then it has spoiled and no longer safe to cook or serve. You may see some brown in the middle of prepackaged ground beef which can be normal. Oxygen can not get to the middle of the package and it will start to turn brown.

Is it OK to eat ground beef that has turned brown?

If all the meat in the package has turned gray or brown, then chances are that it is, in fact, in the process of going bad. For meat to have been exposed to oxygen for so long that it's turned brown through and through, it's no longer fresh.

What should defrosted ground beef smell like?

First, the sniff test. Fresh ground beef may have a mild iron smell, but if it starts to smell rotten (beef tends to get a funky sweet odor), you should err on the side of caution and throw it out. Second, the touch test. Fresh ground beef is usually cool to the touch, smooth, and slightly damp.