How long is ground beef safe to keep in the freezer?

Imagine you're preparing meatloaf for a last-minute gathering and realize you need ground beef. The grocery store is too far, but then you remember a few pounds tucked away in the freezer.

You take the beef out, only to find you forgot to label it with a date. Now you're unsure of its age. Do you risk using it, or discard it just to be safe?

Ideally, always label and date frozen food. However, if you find an unlabeled item, don’t panic—it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s unsafe to consume.

What really matters is the temperature of your freezer. To kill bacteria, yeast, or mold, your freezer needs to be set to 0°F or lower. As long as the temperature remains at or below this, the food will stay safe to eat.

The main concern with frozen food is its freshness and quality. According to the FDA’s freezer storage recommendations, ground beef should be stored for no more than 3 to 4 months. This guideline applies to all types of ground meat, including turkey, pork, veal, and chicken.

To answer the question—yes, you can technically cook and eat ground beef that's been frozen for a while, but that doesn’t mean you should. It’s important to check for signs that the beef may no longer be fresh. According to the USDA, look out for freezer burn, changes in color, and ice crystals as indicators that the meat’s quality might have declined.

That being said, don’t serve your guests subpar meatloaf. If you’re unsure about the beef’s quality, it’s safer to throw it away and order pizza instead. In the future, remember you can store fresh ground beef in the fridge for 1 to 2 days. If you won’t use it in that time, freeze it—but be sure to label it with the date!

Ground Beef Freezing Tips

• Always label ground beef with the date and weight before freezing. Freeze large quantities of ground beef in half-pound or one-pound portions so you can defrost the exact amount you need.
• Check the temperature of your freezer periodically to ensure that it’s set to 0 degrees F or colder.
• To prevent freezer burn, wrap the ground beef in wax paper or freezer paper.
• The safest way to thaw frozen ground beef is in the refrigerator. Never leave it on the countertop to thaw, as this exposes it to the danger zone (40 degrees F to 140 degrees F), the temperature range where bacteria can grow. Cook or refreeze the beef within 1 to 2 days.
• If you lose power, avoid opening the freezer door. Depending on how full your freezer is, frozen food lasts for 1 to 2 days (as long as the door stays closed).

Finally, stay informed about food recalls by subscribing to the Food Safety and Inspection Service’s email alerts. For more details on safe handling practices for raw and frozen ground beef, visit the USDA’s Ground Beef and Food Safety page.