How Long Does Raw Beef Stew Meat Last in the Fridge or Freezer?

Shelf Life Tips

• How long does raw beef stew meat last in the fridge or freezer? The exact answer to that question depends to a large extent on storage conditions - keep beef stew meat refrigerated at all times.
• How long does raw beef stew meat last after the sell-by date? After beef stew meat is purchased, it may be refrigerated for 1 to 2 days - the "sell-by" date on the package may expire during that storage period, but the beef stew meat will remain safe to use after the sell by date if it has been properly stored.
• Unopened raw beef stew meat may be kept in its original store packaging when refrigerating; to maximize the shelf life of beef stew meat, do not open the package until ready to use.
• How long can raw beef stew meat be left at room temperature? Bacteria grow rapidly at temperatures between 40 °F and 140 °F; beef stew meat should be discarded if left out for more than 2 hours at room temperature.
• To further extend the shelf life of raw beef stew meat, freeze; when freezing, place beef stew meat in the freezer before the number of days shown for refrigerator storage has elapsed.
• You can maximize the shelf life of beef stew meat in the freezer by overwrapping the original store packaging with airtight heavy-duty aluminum foil, plastic wrap, or freezer paper or place the package inside a heavy-duty freezer bag in order to prevent freezer burn.
• How long does raw beef stew meat last in the freezer? Properly stored, it will maintain best quality for about 3 to 4 months, but will remain safe beyond that time.
• The freezer time shown is for best quality only - beef stew meat that has been kept constantly frozen at 0°F will keep safe indefinitely.
• How long does raw beef stew meat last after being frozen and thawed? Beef stew meat that has been defrosted in the fridge can be kept for an additional 1 to 2 days in the refrigerator before cooking; beef stew meat that was thawed in the microwave or in cold water should be cooked immediately.
• How long does beef stew meat last in the fridge once it is cooked? Cooked beef stew meat will usually stay good for 3 to 4 days in the fridge and 4 months in the freezer.
• How to tell if raw beef stew meat is bad? The best way is to smell and look at the beef stew meat: signs of bad beef stew meat are a sour smell, dull color and slimy texture; discard any beef stew meat with an off smell or appearance.

About Our Authors

Sources: For details about data sources used for food storage information, please click here