How long does steak stay good in the fridge?
This is a question that we get asked a lot. And the answer isn’t as straightforward as you might think.
The answer depends on a few factors, such as the type of steak, how it was cooked, and how it was stored.
For example, a well-cooked steak can last up to four days in the fridge, whereas a rare steak will only last two days.
Additionally, if you store your steak in airtight packaging, it will last longer than if you just wrap it in plastic wrap.
Ultimately, the best way to determine how long your steak will last is to use your best judgment and keep an eye on it. If it starts to look or smell funny, it’s probably time to toss it.
How long can I store cooked steak in the fridge?
The answer is, it depends.
Cooked steak will be safe to eat after 3-4 days in the fridge.
However, the quality of the meat will decline after that time, so it is best to eat it sooner rather than later.
If you want to keep your cooked steak fresh for as long as possible, vacuum sealing it or storing it in an airtight container will help to prolong its shelf life.
Whether it’s raw steak or cooked, vacuum-sealed meat will help keep bacterial growth at bay and keep it tasting delicious.
When properly stored, cooked steak can last up to 2 weeks in the fridge.
However, it is important to remember that safe food guidelines should always be followed when storing steak or any kind of food.
When in doubt, throw it out!
How do you know your raw steak is now spoiled meat?
How can you tell if your raw steak has gone bad? If you’re not sure, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and throw it out.
However, if you have a delicious piece of Filet Mignon or another great piece of beef sitting in your refrigerator, don’t throw it out without looking for the signs first!
Here are a few signs that your raw steak has gone bad:
- Sell-by date or Use-by date – if it’s way past the use-by date (or expiration date), then your raw meat is probably no good. If it’s way past the sell-by date, then it MIGHT be ok to eat!
- The smell test – It has a sour or ammonia-like smell, then it’s probably bad and should be tossed.
- Slimy or sticky to the touch – raw beef should feel cool and “clean”, not sticky or slimy.
- It has changed color – typically turning a greenish or greyish color.
If you see any of these signs, it’s best to discard the steak.
How long does raw steak last?
How long does raw steak last in the fridge?
That depends on a few factors, including how it was packaged and how fresh it was, to begin with.
If you bought your steak from the butcher counter, it will likely last three to five days in the fridge.
If it was packaged in plastic wrap or if you vacuum seal it, it will last a bit longer, up to seven days.
And if it was frozen when you bought it, you can keep it in the fridge for up to two weeks.
Of course, these are just guidelines – if your steak starts to smell off or look slimy, it’s time to toss it.
What’s the best way to defrost steak?
The best way to defrost steak is actually pretty simple: just like most frozen foods or frozen meat, leave the steak in the fridge overnight.
This gives the steak plenty of time to thaw slowly and evenly, resulting in a juicy, flavorful steak that’s ready to cook.
Plus, it’s much safer than using a microwave, which can cause uneven cooking and even make your steak tough.
So next time you’re planning to cook steak, remember to take it out of the freezer the night before, and you’ll be on your way to a delicious meal.
What if you just don’t have time to defrost your steaks?
Here’s a little secret of mine. I rarely ever defrost steak before cooking it.
My secret is the tool I use to cook my steak.
If I find a great deal on sirloin steak from my grocery store butcher, I buy all the beef I can, I have it individually wrapped in butcher paper, and I put it in the freezer.
Whenever I want a steak I fire up my Ninja Foodie air fryer and put the steak in. I flip it when it’s halfway done and that’s it. In 18 minutes my steak goes from frozen to perfectly done, grill marks and all!
Yes, I still cook beef in other ways, but when I need two quickly cook up one or two steaks, the air fryer is my go-to method.
What happens to steak when it goes bad?
Most people are familiar with the signs of spoiled milk or rotten eggs, but meat is a little more tricky.
After all, it’s not like you can open up a steak and take a sniff to see if it’s still good.
So how can you tell if a steak has gone bad?
One of the easiest ways is to simply check the expiration date.
However, if you’re unsure or don’t have the packaging handy, there are a few other things to look for.
Fresh steak should be firm to the touch and either red or pink in color.
If it’s starting to turn brown or gray, that’s a sign that it’s going bad.
You may also notice a slimy or sticky film on the surface of the meat. This is a sure sign that you should throw it out.
Finally, if steak starts to develop a sour or unpleasant smell, it’s best to err on the side of caution and toss it in the trash.
I have friends that will still cook and eat steak way past its shelf life.
Even if the beef has started turning green, they’ll slice off that part and cook the bad steak well done.
Yes, they’re still alive but I DO NOT recommend that!
If your meat has gone bad, chalk it up to not eating enough meat and buy more!
If you want to stock up on meat. Always remember that vacuum sealed beef stored in the freezer lasts pretty much forever.
What’s the safest way to store cooked steak?
When it comes to storing cooked steak, the key is to make sure that it is cooled down as quickly as possible.
The best way to do this is to place your steaks on a plate or in a container and put it in the fridge.
Once your steaks have cooled down, they can be stored in the fridge for up to four days.
If you want to keep your food for longer than four days, it can be frozen.
However, it’s important to note that frozen beef will have a slightly different texture than fresh beef.
When reheating, make sure to thaw it completely before cooking it.
Use the proper packaging
An airtight container is the second-best way to store cooked food in the refrigerator.
The best way is to make sure your steaks are vacuum sealed before storing them, especially if you’re freezing them.
Practice Food Safety
Food safety is important in order to prevent foodborne illness. There are a few tips everyone should know.
- Wash your hands before and after handling food, and after using the restroom.
- Wash cutting boards, dishes, and utensils after they come in contact with raw meat, poultry, seafood, or eggs.
- Don’t cross-contaminate – don’t use poultry knives on other foods because you will cross-contaminate bacteria from one food to the others.
- Keep food at the correct temperature – hot food should be kept hot and cold food should be kept cold.
- Cook food to the correct temperature to kill any harmful bacteria that might be present.
- USDA recommends that you refrigerate leftovers within two hours of cooking.
By following these simple safety tips, you can help prevent foodborne illness.
What should I do with Spoiled Steak?
It’s happened to the best of us – you cook up a nice steak, but it ends up being more well done than you wanted.
Or maybe you had plans to eat your steak tomorrow, but life got in the way and now it’s been sitting in the fridge for a few days. So what should you do with spoiled steak?
First, it’s important to understand the food safety risks associated with eating spoiled meat.
Bacteria can multiply rapidly on meat that has been left out of the fridge for too long, leading to food poisoning.
If you’re in doubt about whether your steak is still safe to eat, it’s better to err on the side of caution and throw it away.
If you’re sure that your steak is still good, there are a few ways to salvage it.
One option is to cook it again, making sure that it reaches a safe internal temperature (at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit for beef).
Another possibility is to cut off any spoiled parts of the meat and cook only the usable portions.
And if all else fails, you can always try to make hamburger meat or tacos out of your spoiled steak – just be sure to cook it thoroughly!
Conclusion: How long does steak last in the fridge?
We hope that you enjoyed this article and that you learned exactly how long will steak last in the fridge.
Personally, I buy the highest quality steak that I can find for a good deal from the butcher.
And then I keep it refrigerated and do my best to eat it within 2-3 days.
When I freeze it, I air fry it while frozen and it comes out perfect.
However, If I think that my steaks have gone bad, I don’t hesitate to toss them!
The last thing I want is to eat spoiled food in order to save a few bucks and end up with some harmful bacteria making me sick!
What are some tricks you’ve learned in order to ensure that your steak is properly stored?
