Raw chicken is only good for two days according to the USDA. Heres what you need to know.
I really like using meat delivery services to get everything I need for dinner brought 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 recently realized that I might have been flirting with food poisoning by eating chicken that started to turn.
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 gives chicken just 48 hours to be cooked and consumed after purchase, but that timeframe errs on the safe side and isnt the final word on when bird goes bad.
If you want to know if your chicken is bad or how long it will stay good in the fridge, we can help. 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.
Ground chicken is a versatile food that can be used in lots of tasty recipes. But because it’s made from raw chicken that goes bad quickly, it needs to be stored carefully to keep it fresh for as long as possible. Read these tips to find out how long ground chicken stays fresh in the fridge.
Overview of Ground Chicken’s Refrigerator Life
In general, raw ground chicken will maintain best quality for 1-2 days in the refrigerator after purchase. However, if properly stored, it will remain safe to eat for a short time beyond that The “sell-by” date printed on the package is intended for retailers to monitor inventory, not as a definitive safety date
It’s important to store ground chicken properly and pay attention for any visual, textural, or olfactory signs of spoilage With ideal refrigeration and handling, ground chicken can retain optimal flavor and texture for the duration of its recommended refrigerator shelf life.
Proper Storage Is Key
To get the most mileage from your ground chicken before cooking it, focus on storage:
-
Keep it cold – Refrigerate ground chicken at 40°F or below. Use a refrigerator thermometer to verify the temperature.
-
Use the original packaging. Keep ground chicken in its original packaging or a container that won’t let air in until you’re ready to use it.
-
Limit openings to keep bacteria from getting in and reducing exposure to air Re-wrap tightly if repackaging.
-
Place on a low shelf – Avoid potential contamination from drips by storing on the bottom shelf.
For the best quality, ground chicken can be kept in the fridge for one to two days when the conditions are right.
Know the Signs of Spoilage
Although properly stored ground chicken can last 1-2 days past its sell-by date, it’s smart to still check for signs of spoilage before cooking it:
-
Color changes – The color should be pinkish-white. Gray, greenish, or brown hues indicate spoilage.
-
Texture changes – It should not be slimy or sticky. Rinse if unsure. Any lingering slime means don’t use it.
-
Smell – Raw ground chicken has a mild odor. A sour, ammonia-like, or bad scent means throw it out.
-
Touch test – Raw ground chicken has a moist, firm texture. If it’s slimy, even after rinsing, it has spoiled.
Freezing Extends Shelf Life
Freezing ground chicken enables significantly longer storage. With ideal freezing and thawing practices, it can keep for 3-4 months before quality begins to decline. Here are some tips:
-
Double wrap ground chicken in plastic wrap and freezer bags. Exclude as much air as possible.
-
Label packages with dates and contents. Track how long it’s been stored.
-
Thaw in the refrigerator, cold water, or microwave on defrost setting if cooking immediately after.
-
Cook thawed ground chicken within 1-2 days for best quality. Do not refreeze.
Cook Thoroughly for Food Safety
Always cook ground chicken thoroughly to destroy any bacteria present. Follow these guidelines:
-
Cook to an internal temperature of 165°F as measured by a food thermometer. Color is not a reliable doneness indicator.
-
Allow enough time for the center to reach 165°F when cooking. Pieces vary in thickness.
-
Stir periodically to ensure even cooking. Avoid overcrowding the pan which can cause uneven cooking.
-
Wash hands, utensils, surfaces after handling. Prevent cross-contamination with other foods.
Thorough cooking coupled with proper refrigeration and freezing allows you to enjoy ground chicken safely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to common questions about ground chicken’s refrigerator and freezer shelf life:
How can I tell if ground chicken is bad?
Check for foul odors, slimy texture, and unnatural colors. Trust your senses. When in doubt, throw it out.
Can I freeze ground chicken after refrigerating it for a day?
Yes, as long as it has been kept at 40°F or below. Freeze immediately for best quality.
Is it safe to eat ground chicken that’s slightly pink inside after cooking?
Yes, as long as it reaches the safe internal temperature of 165°F. The pink color can sometimes be due to chemical changes not improper cooking.
Can I refreeze thawed ground chicken?
It’s not recommended. Refreezing can degrade quality and raise bacterial risks. Cook thawed ground chicken within 1-2 days.
What’s the best way to thaw frozen ground chicken?
Thaw in the refrigerator over 24-48 hours for best, safest results. Cold water and the microwave are faster options if cooking immediately.
How can I extend ground chicken’s fridge life?
Store at 40°F or below in original airtight packaging. Freeze promptly if not using within 1-2 days. Limit air exposure.
Is ground chicken safe a few days after the sell-by date?
It can be, provided it was properly refrigerated and shows no signs of spoilage. Sell-by dates are not precise expiration dates but guides for retailers.
How long can cooked ground chicken last in the fridge?
3-4 days. Store leftovers in airtight containers and maintain refrigerator temperatures of 40°F or lower.
The Bottom Line
- Raw ground chicken maintains peak quality for 1-2 days in the refrigerator.
- Check for visual, smell, and texture cues of spoilage. When in doubt, throw it out.
- For longer storage, freeze ground chicken. It will keep for 3-4 months in ideal freezing conditions.
- Always cook ground chicken thoroughly to 165°F internal temperature.
- Practice food safety by preventing cross-contamination and refrigerating promptly after use.
With proper refrigeration and handling, ground chicken can retain optimal freshness and flavor for use within its recommended 1-2 day refrigerator shelf life. Freezing enables significantly longer storage. Follow these guidelines to keep ground chicken safe, tasty, and ready to use in your favorite recipes.
Does raw chicken have a natural smell?
Not usually. Most raw chicken doesn’t have a strong smell, and if it does, it might mean that something is wrong. That said, some chicken farms and poultry producers add rosemary extract to ground chicken and turkey to reduce lipid oxidation in meats. If you smell a faint herby smell in your ground chicken or turkey, but its been stored properly and is within the sell-by dates and also within one or two days since you bought it, it may be the rosemary youre smelling and not spoiled chicken.
How long does raw chicken last in the fridge?
The USDA recommends cooking chicken one or two days after you buy it. If that seems conservative and sooner than the sell-by date on the package, thats because it is — but theres a reason for that. The sell-by, use-by or freeze-by date may be as long as a week from when you bought it, but thats just the chicken producers guess as to how long the chicken will be at optimal taste before it starts deteriorating in quality.
As many in this Reddit thread and others assert, you can probably split the difference without serious ramifications, but you should never eat chicken thats been in the fridge for more than three or four days. The reason why chicken isnt necessarily safe to eat until that sell-by date is two-fold:
For one, that date isnt issued by a regulating body, but rather by the brand. Even though chicken brands have to think about safety for customers, their main goal is to get stores to buy their product. The longer its “good for,” the better chance theyll have of making a larger sale.
It’s also because meat fridges and coolers in grocery stores are usually colder than fridges in most homes. A normal fridge has to keep meat cold without freezing delicate vegetables and other groceries. Supermarket meat coolers only need to keep meat cold, so they can be at lower resting temperatures. Chicken kept at a colder temperature is naturally going to last longer.