You want to extend the shelf life of ground beef but still maintain its taste and quality. So, how long can you freeze ground beef?
How Long Can You Freeze Ground Beef?
Updated on Oct. 01, 2024
It’s helpful to have an extra pound of ground beef on hand for quick dinners, like hamburgers, tacos or soup. But ground beef lasts in the fridge for just one or two days. Then it needs to be cooked or tucked away in the freezer for later.
How long can you freeze ground beef?
While ground beef can stay frozen indefinitely, you’ll be sacrificing quality as time passes. Frozen ground beef is best used within four months.
We recommend marking the date on each portion of ground beef. This will help you keep an eye on storage times and use meat that’s been frozen longest first.
The Best Way to Freeze Ground Beef
There are two important things to remember about ground beef safety: storing it at the correct temperature and timeliness. When you stock up on ground beef, go straight home from the grocery store. You’ll want to keep the meat at 40°F or below for safety. This will slow the growth of bacteria, like E. coli, and help maintain the freshness of your meat.
The “Danger Zone” refers to temperatures between 40° and 140°. Harmful bacteria multiply quickly within the Danger Zone, so it’s important to never leave ground beef at room temperature for longer than 2 hours. This is an essential tip to know when freezing food.
If you plan on using the meat ASAP, keep it in the store-bought packaging. If you plan on storing it longer, portion out the ground beef as needed and wrap each piece in heavy-duty plastic wrap, freezer paper, aluminum foil or one of our favorite products to freeze food in—plastic freezer bags.
How to Defrost Ground Beef
You’re preparing to make your famous spaghetti and meatballs tonight for dinner. Of course, you’ll need a couple pounds of your frozen ground beef!
The safest way to defrost ground beef is in the refrigerator. Keeping the meat cold while allowing it to defrost keeps harmful bacteria from growing and spreading before cooking begins. It’s important to note that this method could take up to a day or more, so plan ahead if possible.
If you need to defrost the meat quicker, you can use the microwave or a bowl of cold water. When using the microwave, make sure to cook the meat immediately after it’s ready, because some parts may have starting cooking during the defrosting process. If using cold water, place the meat in an airtight bag and submerge in the bowl of cold water. Then, change the water every 30 minutes until it’s thawed and cook immediately afterward.
You may notice that some parts of the ground beef have turned gray after freezing—but that meat is safe to eat.
Tips for Freezing Ground Beef
Before you place all your ground beef in the freezer in anticipation of the best ground beef recipes, you’ll want to keep some tips in mind.
Prevent freezer burn
If your frozen ground beef—or any meat—comes into contact with warm air for too long, freezer burn can occur. You know, that pesky layer of ice that dries out your frozen food and makes you question if it’s really safe to eat. (It is.) To prevent freezer burn, store your ground beef properly. Freezer bags will do the trick.
Label frozen ground beef with the date
Prior to freezing ground beef, label your freezer bag so you know when to use it before it goes bad. Frozen ground beef can last up to four months, so marking a date will help. Plus, it’s an easy trick to keep your freezer organized!
Store the ground beef flat
Ground beef will thaw more quickly when stored flat, due to the larger surface area.
Our Best Ground Beef Recipes
Baked Spaghetti
This baked spaghetti is one of our top-rated pasta recipes ever (and we have lots of pasta recipes). It may be the rich trio of cheeses or the bubbling brown top, but we suspect the real reason is that it's just so easy to make.
Zucchini Pizza CasseroleA hearty tomato-meat sauce, garden-fresh zucchini and oodles of cheese make this zucchini pizza casserole the ultimate family-friendly dinner recipe.
Meat LoafThis traditional meat loaf recipe creates a tender, juicy meat loaf topped with a caramelized glaze. The best part: It’s so easy to make, and it’s ready to eat in about an hour!
Ravioli LasagnaOur four-ingredient ravioli lasagna is the perfect shortcut meal for when you're craving lasagna but don't have as much time to cook. It's an easy and delicious meal for any night of the week.
The Best Shepherd’s PieOur top-rated shepherd's pie recipe delivers a cozy, filling, homestyle dinner that never disappoints.
Cabbage Roll CasseroleLayer cabbage with tomato sauce and ground beef lasagna-style to create a hearty casserole that tastes like cabbage rolls but without all the work.
Cheeseburger PastaSwitch up your usual go-to cheeseburger dinner and make it in pasta form instead!
Porcupine MeatballsPorcupine meatballs get their moist, tender texture from rice, which acts as a binding agent to keep the meatballs together.
Beef EnchiladasOur crowd-pleasing beef enchiladas recipe features a homemade enchilada sauce and a spiced ground beef filling. Don't be fooled by the ingredient list. It's actually quite simple to prep!
Spaghetti SauceThis homemade spaghetti sauce is loaded with sausage and beef and generously flavored with garlic and herbs. Using a slow cooker melds the flavors while you go about your day.
Best LasagnaWhat makes this classic lasagna recipe so spectacular? Homemade meat sauce and plenty of cheese. Best of all, it's easy to make lasagna ahead of time so dinner can be ready in a flash.
Hamburger StewSimmer up a big pot of hamburger stew to feed the whole crew. It's packed with beef, veggies, rice and potatoes, but you can add whatever else you like.
Cheeseburger CupsThis easy, 30-minute recipe for cheeseburger cups will please kids, adults and cheeseburger lovers everywhere.
Penne Pasta with Ground BeefThis is a hearty but affordable weeknight meal that brings out smiles as you serve it. The strings of melted mozzarella that trail from each spoonful are just a hint of the comforting flavors to come.
Cheesy Meat LoafI got this recipe from my aunt when I was a teen and have made these miniature loaves many times since. My husband and three children count this main dish among their favorites. —Kathy Bowron, Cocolalla, Idaho
Baked Spaghetti with Cream of Mushroom SoupBeing cheesy is a good thing when you're talking about baked spaghetti with cream of mushroom soup. It's cozy, cheesy and promises lots of leftovers.
Lasagna CasseroleAll the traditional flavor of lasagna, with none of the fuss. We've simplified the layers in this lasagna casserole so the dish comes together more quickly.
Spaghetti Pie CasseroleOur spaghetti casserole recipe features layers of tender spaghetti, rich meat sauce, and a creamy cheese blend. Perfect for family dinners or potlucks, this easy-to-make dish can be prepared ahead and offers delicious variations to suit every taste.
Cowboy CasseroleCowboy casserole—made with ground beef, corn, cheese and Tater Tots—is a big, warm hug after a long day and is especially comforting when the weather turns cold.
BurritosPacked with beans, your choice of protein and a myriad of other potential fillings, this easy burrito recipe is your launchpad to unlimited flavor combinations.
Southwestern CasseroleThis southwestern casserole is a riff on chili mac, with the added spice of green chiles and sliced jalapenos, all underneath a melted layer of Monterey Jack cheese.
Enchilada CasseroleTry our layered enchilada casserole recipe for a crowd-pleasing baked dish that captures the flavor of homemade enchiladas without all that rolling.
Baked ZitiBaked ziti is a cozy pasta dish that features layers of meat sauce, tender noodles and creamy ricotta cheese. This freezer-friendly recipe is perfect for feeding a crowd.
Bacon Cheeseburger PastaThis bacon cheeseburger pasta recipe puts a spin on a comfort food classic by combining hearty pasta, ground beef, crispy bacon and melted cheese.
Pizza CasseroleBaked pasta meets oven-ready pizza in our pizza casserole that provides a delicious dinner for tonight and an effortless freezer meal for later. We'll show you step-by-step how to make this freezer-friendly casserole recipe.
Asian Beef NoodlesSure to be a hit with the family, this Asian beef noodles dish is a perfect weeknight dinner. A couple of clever shortcuts make it particularly quick and easy to prepare.
PastiesNext time you need an easy, portable meal for a picnic or road trip, bake a batch of these handheld pasties. They also make a satiating and savory snack.
Slow-Cooker Tamale PieSlow-cooker tamale pie is a flavorful, stick-to-your-ribs meal. Since it's easy to prepare, this recipe is great for potlucks or family dinners.
Swedish MeatballsWhip up a batch of these easy Swedish meatballs for a meal that's all comfort and no fuss!
Unstuffed Cabbage RollsSkip the hassle of rolling cabbage leaves with this easy unstuffed cabbage roll recipe. This one-skillet dish delivers the comforting taste of traditional cabbage rolls without the extra effort.
Slow-Cooker Pizza CasseroleCrockpot pizza casserole is the recipe for a satisfying one-and-done meal. This comforting casserole with mass appeal is just what you need when cooking for a crowd.
Mexican CasseroleThis family-favorite Mexican casserole has layers of flour tortillas, seasoned ground beef, refried beans, corn, and lots and lots of melted cheese.
Tater Tot CasseroleThanks to a few ingredients and easy prep, this cheese-smothered Tater Tot casserole will be a recurring star at your dinner table.
Hamburger Potato CasseroleA fun riff on cottage pie, this hearty hamburger potato casserole has a crispy potato crust, so it hits a little different.
Manicotti with MeatThis manicotti with meat dish layers two meats, two cheeses and plenty of tomato sauce for a rich, comforting pasta bake you can make ahead, then pop in the oven when you're ready to dig in.
Cornbread Taco BakeLike a taco bowl, but bigger, this cornbread taco bake features a cheesy cornbread topping layered over a savory casserole of taco-seasoned ground beef, corn and peppers. Also like tacos, this casserole can be easily customized.
Hamburger Steak and GravyOld-fashioned hamburger steak and gravy is a great comfort food dish when you're looking to stretch your dollars. Serve the steaks with mashed potatoes and rolls for a complete meal.
Mexican Mac and CheeseThis Mexican macaroni and cheese is the ultimate quick-comfort recipe that will leave the entire family satisfied.
Unstuffed PeppersThis unstuffed peppers recipe has all the flavor of stuffed peppers without the fuss. It's packed with ground beef, instant rice and, of course, green peppers for a quick meal you'll come back to again and again.
Zucchini BoatsStuffed zucchini boats are quick, easy and low-carb, making them the perfect vessel (literally) for your garden's summer bounty.
Walking TacosWhen sitting down to tacos isn't an option, walking tacos are the answer. These self-contained mini-meals are just the thing for eating on the go or around a campfire.
Traditional Shepherd’s PieNothing hits the spot quite like a traditional shepherd's pie recipe when you're needing some good old-fashioned comfort food.
Smothered BurritoThis smothered burrito recipe is chock-full of gooey goodness, namely a tangy, spicy sauce, plus cheddar and hearty ground beef.
French Fry CasseroleCheeseburger-inspired french fry casserole is a playful take on a hot dish. Who wouldn't smile when presented with a toasty platter of fries crowning a cheesy, beefy tumble? As with a burger, you can customize yours with any toppings you like.
Slow-Cooker Spaghetti and MeatballsLow-and-slow cooking is the key to achieving tender, flavorful meatballs in this slow-cooker spaghetti and meatballs recipe. Make homemade meatballs, or swap in store-bought frozen meatballs if you're running short on time.
Taco Stuffed ShellsTaco stuffed shells are a welcome twist on Taco Tuesday—easy to make, with results that are sure to please. Make it once, and this recipe just may end up with its very own weeknight slot.
Cabbage RollsCall them old-fashioned, but these stuffed cabbage rolls are just as cozy and comforting as they've always been. Once you've got the hang of the rolling technique, you can stuff them with just about anything.
PastitsioWith seasoned ground beef, pasta and a rich cheese sauce, pastitsio is a tasty casserole everyone will love.
Taco SpaghettiThis simple, kid-friendly taco spaghetti casserole is a perfect mashup of two favorites, and the cheesy goodness is ready in less than an hour!
Salisbury SteakSalisbury steak makes an easy, cozy weeknight dinner. One whiff of the rich ground beef and savory mushroom sauce will bring the whole family to the table!
