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How long can I keep 1 pound of hamburger?

M

MeddyDuo

Senior member
Ok so I used to get the pre-made hamburger patties, but I decided to get the actual meat this time (whatever it's called, ground beef?). And so I got 1 pound and used 1/4 pound a day for the past 3 days. I saran wrapped the package back up and put it in the fridge.
Today the meat is kind of gray, not red like it used to be. Is that ok?
 
a week at most, it turning grey is normal. I usually defrost, cook half a pount one day and cook the other half the next day. Obviously the fresher the better. Just make sure it doesnt smell funny and if it doesnt, bon appetit. Its beef, not chicken so you wont get THAT sick.
 
Originally posted by: MeddyDuo
Ok so I used to get the pre-made hamburger patties, but I decided to get the actual meat this time (whatever it's called, ground beef?). And so I got 1 pound and used 1/4 pound a day for the past 3 days. I saran wrapped the package back up and put it in the fridge.
Today the meat is kind of gray, not red like it used to be. Is that ok?
Click to expand...

It's gray? Like the color of an alternator? Is it alternator sized?

 
Originally posted by: dirtylimey
a week at most, it turning grey is normal. I usually defrost, cook half a pount one day and cook the other half the next day. Obviously the fresher the better. Just make sure it doesnt smell funny and if it doesnt, bon appetit. Its beef, not chicken so you wont get THAT sick.
Click to expand...

Is it really ok to eat if grey?? Even if the whole pound is grey?
I usually notice an odor when I see any discoloration.
 
smell it, you'll know what to do based on the smell

next time, cook it all right away, it keeps longer after it is cooked
 
Originally posted by: SonnyDaze
Originally posted by: MeddyDuo
Ok so I used to get the pre-made hamburger patties, but I decided to get the actual meat this time (whatever it's called, ground beef?). And so I got 1 pound and used 1/4 pound a day for the past 3 days. I saran wrapped the package back up and put it in the fridge.
Today the meat is kind of gray, not red like it used to be. Is that ok?
Click to expand...

It's gray? Like the color of an alternator? Is it alternator sized?
Click to expand...
Well I asked the store if they had an alternator sized piece but they didn't, and I didn't want to go to the butcher.

It kind of stinks, but maybe that's just how it smells normally. I didn't smell it when I first got it.
 
Originally posted by: MeddyDuo
Originally posted by: SonnyDaze
Originally posted by: MeddyDuo
Ok so I used to get the pre-made hamburger patties, but I decided to get the actual meat this time (whatever it's called, ground beef?). And so I got 1 pound and used 1/4 pound a day for the past 3 days. I saran wrapped the package back up and put it in the fridge.
Today the meat is kind of gray, not red like it used to be. Is that ok?
Click to expand...

It's gray? Like the color of an alternator? Is it alternator sized?
Click to expand...
Well I asked the store if they had an alternator sized piece but they didn't, and I didn't want to go to the butcher.

It kind of stinks, but maybe that's just how it smells normally. I didn't smell it when I first got it.
Click to expand...

<Stewie Griffin> Hmmm....that's odd. <Stewie Griffin>
 
In the future, if you are concerned or won't use it all right away, split it up in to seperate bags (for instance, 4 bags each with 1/4 pounds) and then freeze until ready to use. take out of the freezer and put in the fridge the night before, or even the morning of the day you want to use it. Frozen, it'll last 6 months easily... I have no problem eating ground beef thats been in the freezer a year.
 
Originally posted by: zeruty
In the future, if you are concerned or won't use it all right away, split it up in to seperate bags (for instance, 4 bags each with 1/4 pounds) and then freeze until ready to use. take out of the freezer and put in the fridge the night before, or even the morning of the day you want to use it. Frozen, it'll last 6 months easily... I have no problem eating ground beef thats been in the freezer a year.
Click to expand...
Is it bad to thaw it, then freeze it, then thaw it again?
 
if you had a USB Smell-O-Vision unit, you could post the smell for us and we could help better


:camera:'s?
 
Originally posted by: MeddyDuo
Originally posted by: zeruty
In the future, if you are concerned or won't use it all right away, split it up in to seperate bags (for instance, 4 bags each with 1/4 pounds) and then freeze until ready to use. take out of the freezer and put in the fridge the night before, or even the morning of the day you want to use it. Frozen, it'll last 6 months easily... I have no problem eating ground beef thats been in the freezer a year.
Click to expand...
Is it bad to thaw it, then freeze it, then thaw it again?
Click to expand...

Yes. That is why you want to freeze it in smaller batches.
 
Originally posted by: MeddyDuo
Originally posted by: SonnyDaze
Originally posted by: MeddyDuo
Ok so I used to get the pre-made hamburger patties, but I decided to get the actual meat this time (whatever it's called, ground beef?). And so I got 1 pound and used 1/4 pound a day for the past 3 days. I saran wrapped the package back up and put it in the fridge.
Today the meat is kind of gray, not red like it used to be. Is that ok?
Click to expand...

It's gray? Like the color of an alternator? Is it alternator sized?
Click to expand...
Well I asked the store if they had an alternator sized piece but they didn't, and I didn't want to go to the butcher.

It kind of stinks, but maybe that's just how it smells normally. I didn't smell it when I first got it.
Click to expand...


Is going to a farm out of the question?

 
That I'm not sure about. I suspect that it would start degrading the quality of the meat. I don't think you would want to eat ground beef that was frozen, thawed, frozen a few times... It would probably be safe, but just unappetizing.

That's the reason for separating the meat into several smaller bags... only need to thaw what you are going to use. But then again, if you thaw more than you need, you can still keep it for a couple of days in the fridge.
 
Originally posted by: MeddyDuo
Ok so I used to get the pre-made hamburger patties, but I decided to get the actual meat this time (whatever it's called, ground beef?). And so I got 1 pound and used 1/4 pound a day for the past 3 days. I saran wrapped the package back up and put it in the fridge.
Today the meat is kind of gray, not red like it used to be. Is that ok?
Click to expand...


Ground beef turns gray after the blood has soaked out of it away from the surface of the meat. It is refrigerable for up to a week.

To save trouble, when we buy ground beef, we portion it up as soon as we get home from the store... Fridge the one we are going to use, and freeze the rest till we need it.
Then you never have to thaw out too much.
 
Here is some info from the USDA:

How should raw ground beef be stored at home?
Refrigerate or freeze ground beef as soon as possible after purchase. This preserves freshness and slows growth of bacteria. It can be refrigerated or frozen in its original packaging if the meat will be used soon.

If refrigerated, keep at 40 °F or below and use within 1 or 2 days.

For longer freezer storage, wrap in heavy duty plastic wrap, aluminum foil, freezer paper, or plastic bags made for freezing. Ground beef is safe indefinitely if kept frozen, but will lose quality over time. It is best if used within 4 months. Mark your packages with the date they were placed in the freezer so you can keep track of storage times.

What is the best way to thaw ground beef?
The best way to safely thaw ground beef is in the refrigerator. Keeping meat cold while it is defrosting is essential to prevent growth of bacteria. Cook or refreeze it within 1 or 2 days.

To defrost ground beef more rapidly, you can defrost in the microwave oven or in cold water. If using the microwave, cook the ground beef immediately because some areas may begin to cook during the defrosting. To defrost in cold water, put the meat in a watertight plastic bag and submerge. Change the water every 30 minutes. Cook immediately. Do not refreeze ground meat thawed in cold water or in the microwave oven.

Never leave ground beef or any perishable food out at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
Click to expand...

USDA's ground beef page
 
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