How Long Can Raw Steak Stay in the Fridge?

There’s nothing like enjoying a tender and juicy steak that’s been cooked perfectly, but what happens if you don’t plan on cooking your steak right after buying it? Understanding how to properly store steak inside the fridge is vital to keeping its flavor and quality. While storing steak might seem simple, improper cooling can result in undesirable outcomes. 

Here, we look at how long raw steak can stay inside a fridge, how long it can last after the time of purchase, and storage tips for keeping your steak tasting stellar!  

What is Proper Steak Storage? 

Whether you have cooked or fresh steak, it’s important to follow proper methods of storage, not just to preserve quality but also to extend the shelf life. Moreover, food safety is a vital consideration — from texture changes, flavor degradation, and even bacteria growth, handling your food safely should always be a top priority. 

How Long Can Raw Steak Last?

As long as you store the raw meat correctly, USDA guidelines confirm that it should last between 3-5 days inside the fridge — this includes raw beef steak. However, ground steak will only last between 1 to 2 days, and certain factors will affect the longevity of certain steaks. This can include the following:

• Meat freshness
• Fridge temperature
• Meat packaging

For instance, vacuum-sealed steaks come with a longer shelf life compared to those without airtight packaging. In addition, raw steak should never be kept over 40°F (4°C) since this is known to be a “danger zone” since bacteria can quickly grow within room temperature, which may lead to foodborne illnesses. You should also keep in mind that the colder your fridge is, the longer it can keep your meat safe to eat.   

Cooked Steak LifeSpan 

There’s no need to worry about leftovers since cooked steak can be left in the fridge between 3-4 days. Just like raw steak, your steak must be properly stored to prevent the potential for food poisoning, which can turn your meat into a food hazard!   

How to Refrigerate Your Steak

Limiting contact between your steak and oxygen is the key to keeping it fresher for longer and the best way to refrigerate it is inside the original packaging if it comes with one. Vacuum sealing is another option but if you don’t have a vacuum sealer, you can also wrap it tightly using aluminum foil or cling wrap. 

Refrigerator Temperature

Your steak should be stored at temperatures below 40°F (4°C); this is an important part of ensuring that your steak stays fresher for longer. This will also ensure that your fridge has a consistent temperature that’s low enough to stop bacteria from multiplying. 

Storing Steak in Your Freezer 

Both cooked and raw steak can be stored inside the freezer but will have a different shelf life. You can store raw steak between 4-12 months when stored correctly, while a cooked steak may last between 2 to 3 months. It’s crucial that you properly store your steak to prevent freezer burn which can result in flavor degradation. 

What to Know About Packaging

Vacuum-sealed bags can help to keep air outside while it slows bacteria growth, to ensure your steaks will last longer inside the fridge. This will also slow the growth of bacteria while ensuring that your steaks are safe to eat. But if you bought steak from your local grocery store and it’s not vacuum-sealed then be sure to put it inside an airtight container before you put it inside your refrigerator. 

Wrapping up your steak using plastic wrap or butcher paper and placing it in a place will also work. 

Check the Dates

Always check the sell-by date or the use-by date to let you know how long you can store your steak. Whether its expiration date already passed or it hasn’t, be sure to check your steak before you cook it. As soon as you see signs that it’s gone bad, make sure to discard it quickly.  

Prevent Cross Contamination

Make sure to store any fresh steak far from your other food such as vegetables, fruits, and ready-to-eat meals that won’t need cooking. Any kind of fresh meat should be stored inside the bottom shelf of your refrigerator, which means that everything above it should be stored on separate shelves. 

Storing Cooked Steak 

Cooked steak can be stored in a similar fashion as a raw steak but you will need to do a few more steps before you store them in the refrigerator. You should never put hot food inside your fridge since this can change the temperature inside which can affect other items. It’s also important to date and label your meats to help you tell the difference between a cooked and an uncooked steak. 

Knowing When a Steak’s Gone Bad

You may have doubts regarding the freshness of your meat, especially when it’s within the limits of its life expectancy. As such, you need to be able to tell when a steak has turned bad, which we share below. Unfortunately, even if you’ve stored your steaks correctly, there are times when your steak will go bad.

Here’s how you’ll know when your steak has become spoiled. 

• Appearance: Be sure to check your steak for dark spots, discoloration, or if it has a slippery texture. A steak will need to look exactly how it did when it was first placed inside your fridge. If you see any significant changes in texture or color, these are signs of spoilage that can point to a bad steak. 
• Smell: An uncooked steak will come with a mild odor while cooked meat will have the same smell as it did when you cooked it first. If your meat comes with a strong and sour smell, it may have spoiled already but this can be difficult to rely on especially if your meat was marinated or has flavoring. 
• Taste: While a spoiled steak will always come with an obvious change in how it looks or has a terrible smell, the biggest giveaway will be its taste. A steak that has gone off will taste pungent and sour, so stick to the side of caution if you feel your meat might be spoiled.  

Moreover, if you’re working with a raw steak, make sure it has a bright red color. Fresh beef will be moist without any leaking fluid, will feel firm to the touch, and won’t come with any discoloration. 

Reheating Leftover Steak

Fortunately, leftover steaks can be reheated without drying or overcooking them. While this will take a bit more time, you can be sure that it results in a steak that’s as good as when it was first cooked. Here’s how you can safely reheat your leftover steak. 

1. Start by pre-heating your oven to 250°F.
2. Put your steak onto an oven-safe dish or tray.
3. Let your steak heat up for 20 to 30 minutes or until the internal temperature goes up to 135°F.
4. You can finish your steak by searing it using butter or oil. 
5. By this time, your steak’s internal temperature should be 145°F, the safe temperature advised by the USDA.

This reheating process will be similar to reverse searing but uses a lower temperature in the oven. 

Thawing Your Steak 

Before you reheat or cook your steak, thawing it out properly is the key to preventing bacterial growth and will ensure an even cook. Below are a few simple steps on how to thaw your steak safely. 

• Refrigerator Thawing: This is one of the safest ways to thaw a steak, and all you need to do is place your frozen steak inside the fridge while it’s still inside the original packaging, or inside a leak-proof container. Let it thaw slowly overnight, but the actual time will depend on your cut’s thickness. Doing this will ensure that your steak stays at safe temperatures as you thaw it.  
• Cold Water Thawing: When you want a way to thaw a steak faster, this is the best way to do it. Keep your steak inside a sealed plastic bag, submerge it under cold water, and then change the water once every 30 minutes to maintain the temperature. Using cold water will allow you to cook your thawed meat immediately after. 
• Microwave Thawing: This is the quickest method for thawing especially if you’re pressed for time. Using your microwave’s defrost setting while following the manufacturer’s instructions, let the microwave do the work for you. Just keep in mind that this may result in uneven results, and your meat should be cooked right away. 

Conclusion 

When you’ve just bought some meat and want to ensure its shelf life, you should always keep it inside the original packaging, which will have the dates that you need to know about. It’s also important to check the temperature of your fridge to ensure that it can keep bacteria away from your meats. It’s also a good idea to stay on top of the thawing techniques shared above to ensure that you can enjoy your steak the way it’s meant to be enjoyed.

Sources 

• longbournfarm.com
• fridge.com
• kitchenlaughter.com