Is Ground Beef Still Good After the Expiration Date?

We’ve all been there – you open the fridge to see a package of ground beef sitting on the shelf, only to realize it’s a few days past the expiration date printed on the label. At this point, you’re faced with a dilemma – do you toss the beef to be safe, or is it still OK to cook up?

With food waste being a major issue, it’s tempting to want to push the limits on meat and milk expiration dates. But is eating expired ground beef actually risky when it comes to foodborne illness? Let’s take a closer look at what that expiration date really means and how to tell if your ground beef is still good enough to eat.

Understanding Expiration Dates on Meat

First it’s important to understand that the expiration date on packaged ground beef is not actually an indicator of food safety. Rather, it is the manufacturer’s estimate for when the beef will reach peak freshness and flavor.

The date on ground beef is called the “sell-by date.” This tells the store when to remove the product from the shelves. It also serves as a guide for consumers to know how long the meat will retain its highest quality.

With proper refrigeration, ground beef can usually last 1-3 days beyond that sell-by date before any noticeable decline in quality occurs However, the expiration date does not mean the beef is suddenly unsafe to eat after that day.

How to Know If Expired Ground Beef is Bad

Because the sell-by date is not a definitive cut-off for safety, you need to rely on your senses and proper food handling to determine if older ground beef is still OK to cook. Here are some ways to tell if ground beef is spoiled and needs to be discarded:

• Smell – Raw beef should never smell foul or unpleasant. Discard meat with an off-putting odor.

• Color – Fresh ground beef is bright red. If the color starts to fade towards brown or grey, it is past its prime.

• Texture – The meat should feel firm and moist, not sticky or tacky. Sliminess is a clear sign of spoilage.

• Expiration date – If it’s more than 4 days past the sell-by date, err on the side of caution and throw it out.

• Time since purchase – Consider total time since you bought it. More than 4-5 days in the fridge increases risk.

• Temperature – If fridge temp exceeded 40°F for over 2 hours, don’t risk it.

Follow basic food safety practices as well, like keeping raw meat sealed and always refrigerated below 40°F. Never refreeze meat that has been thawed. And discard any beef that has an off odor, color or texture even before the sell-by date.

Can You Cook and Eat Expired Beef?

If your expired ground beef still looks and smells fresh, cooking it thoroughly should kill any potentially harmful bacteria that may have started multiplying after the sell-by date.

The USDA recommends cooking ground meats to an internal temperature of 160°F to eliminate foodborne pathogens. Use a food thermometer to verify the center of the meat reaches this safe final temperature.

However, if the expired beef shows any of the signs of spoilage described above, it’s best to throw it out. At a certain point, no amount of cooking can make if safe for consumption.

Here are some tips for safely cooking expired ground beef:

• Cook within 2 days after the sell-by date at the absolute max
• Inspect raw meat closely before cooking
• Discard beef with an off or questionable appearance
• Cook beef patties and burgers to 160°F minimum
• Boil ground crumbles for a full 3 minutes after reaching a boil
• Use a food thermometer to verify safe internal temp
• When in doubt, remember the old adage: “If in doubt, throw it out!”

How to Store Ground Beef for Maximum Freshness

To get the longest shelf life out of your ground beef and minimize food waste, be sure to store it properly:

• Refrigerate below 40°F as soon as possible after purchasing
• Place ground beef on a plate to catch leaks and keep fridge clean
• Separate raw beef from other foods to prevent cross-contamination
• Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or place in a resealable bag
• Use ground beef within 1-2 days of the sell-by date for best quality
• Freeze extra ground beef if you won’t use within 4-5 days

With optimal refrigeration and handling, you can safely use ground beef even a few days past the printed expiration date on the label. But it’s always better to freeze meat rather than letting it linger too long after the sell-by date.

The Bottom Line on Eating Expired Ground Beef

While the sell-by date is not a definitive safety cut-off, expired ground beef does increase your risk of food poisoning if bacteria had a chance to multiply. Always inspect the raw meat closely and be on the safe side if you detect any foul odors, sliminess or color changes.

Your nose is your best tool for determining if expired beef has been pushed too far. If it smells OK, and you cook it thoroughly to 160°F internal temp, eating ground beef just a few days past the sell-by date likely poses minimal risk for most healthy adults. But as beef ages, your margin of error gets smaller. So freeze leftover beef or use it soon for the best results.