Raw chicken is only good for two days according to the USDA. Heres what you need to know.
Im a big fan of using meat delivery services to have the fixings for dinner delivered right to my door. Getting fresh chicken has made figuring out what to cook up on week nights easier, but I dont always eat everything, and often use the leftovers for lunches. However, I know chicken doesnt have a long shelf life, even after cooking. I just recently realized that eating chicken that had started to turn brown could have put me at risk of getting food poisoning.
It is especially important to do this now that summer is almost here, since chicken is more likely to get E than beef. coli and other food-borne illnesses. Thats why you never want to eat bad chicken, and storing it properly is key to avoiding sickness.
The USDA says that chicken can only be cooked and eaten 48 hours after it is bought, but that’s just a safety measure and doesn’t mean that the bird is bad.
If youre wondering whether or not your chicken is bad or how long it is good for in the fridge, we have answers. Here, we explain how long chicken typically lasts in the fridge and freezer — both cooked and uncooked — and how to know when its time to put that poultry out to pasture.
Hey there, folks at Kitchen Grit! Ever found yourself starin’ at a pack of chicken in the fridge, wonderin’ if it’s still good past that expiration date stamped on it? I’ve been there, trust me You don’t wanna waste food, but you sure as heck don’t wanna risk a nasty bout of food poisoning neither So, how long is chicken good after the expiration date? Let’s cut to the chase right now raw chicken can often be safe for 1-2 days past the sell-by date if stored right, and cooked chicken might last 3-4 days in the fridge after that date. But, and this is a big but, it ain’t just about the date—it’s about how it looks, smells, and feels. Stick with me as we dive deep into this, breakin’ it down so you can eat smart and safe.
We will talk about everything you need to know at Kitchen Grit, from how to read those confusing date labels to how to spot spoiled chicken, store food correctly, and even freeze hacks. I will also give you some personal tips and answer any burning questions you may have. Let’s get cookin’!.
Decodin’ the Date Labels: What Do They Even Mean?
First, let’s clear up what “expiration date,” “sell-by,” and “use-by” really mean. “I thought these were all the same, but no, they have different vibes.”
- Sell-By Date: This one’s more for the store than for us. It tells ‘em how long to keep the chicken on the shelf. Don’t mean it’s trash the day after. If you’ve kept it cold, it’s often fine for a couple days.
- Use-By Date: This is more about quality. After this, the chicken might not taste as fresh or have the best texture, but it ain’t necessarily dangerous yet.
- Expiration Date: Sounds scary, right? It’s mostly about quality too, though I wouldn’t push it too far past this without checkin’ the chicken real good.
Here’s the deal: these aren’t strict “throw it out now” rules. As always, the best thing to do is to follow the rules along with common sense. I’ve eaten chicken that was a day or two past its expiration date many times, and I’m still alive. You need to know how to store it and tell the good stuff from the bad. Let’s talk about that next.
How Long Can Chicken Really Last Past the Date?
Alright, let’s get into
How long can you store chicken in the freezer?
Chicken thats kept frozen (under 0 degrees F) is technically safe to eat for about one year according to FoodSafety.gov, but that doesnt mean you should wait a year, or even months, to eat it. Even shrink-wrapped meat will eventually succumb to frost and freezer burn. While that might not cause the chicken to become unsafe, it will affect its deliciousness. The meat may develop a rubbery or mealy texture.
Frozen cooked chicken can last indefinitely without risk of illness, but it will start to lose flavor in the freezer almost immediately and texture will also become compromised if exposed to freezer burn.
Does raw chicken have a natural smell?
Not usually. Most raw chicken doesnt smell like much and if it does have a strong odor, it could be a sign that something is amiss. That said, some chicken farms and poultry producers add rosemary extract to ground chicken and turkey to reduce lipid oxidation in meats. Ground chicken or turkey that has been stored properly, is within its sell-by date, and has only been one or two days since you bought it may have a faint herbaceous smell. This could be the rosemary, not spoiled chicken.
Canned Food For Survival: Expiration Dates
FAQ
Can you eat chicken after its expiration date?
In general, it’s not safe to eat raw chicken that is even one day past its expiration date. The expiration date is there to make sure the food is safe, and eating chicken that is past this date can make you sick with bacteria like Salmonella or Campylobacter.
Can I eat expired chicken if it smells fine?
If it looks and smells fine, it’s fine.
Can I eat chicken 4 days after the sell-by date on Reddit?
It should be fine by the sell by date. That being said, if you open it then and it’s really sticky and/or smells funky, throw it away immediately.
Can I cook 3 day expired chicken?
Poultry and Meat Meat and poultry typically have a Sell-By date. If you buy meat, you should use it or freeze it within three to five days. For chicken, you should use or freeze it within one to two days.