Steak is divine. However, knowing how long it lasts in the fridge can be quite tricky.
No one wants to eat bad steak, therefore knowing how long it lasts in the fridge will allow you to eat it before it spoils.
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What Happens When Food Goes Bad?
Food goes through several changes as it starts to deteriorate. In some instances, food will not look like appetizing food anymore.
However, before it starts to look unrecognizable, food will develop a rancid odor.
Bacteria are responsible for the unpleasant odor of food.
Even though small quantities of bacteria are not dangerous, food becomes tainted once bacteria begin to multiply rapidly.
Tainted food can cause you to develop a foodborne illness. The harsh truth is that the longer steak sits in the fridge, the more likely it is to spoil.
The fridge keeps the bacteria at bay, but this is not a guarantee.
If you want to knowhow to tell if steak is bad or how to tell if ground beef is bad, check out our in-depth guides.
How To Store Cooked Steak in the Fridge
Storing cooked steak correctly is essential if you want it to be as juicy as it was when it was cooked when you reheat it.
Steak stored incorrectly will result in steak that is as tough as nails.
When storing steak, you need to ensure you preserve as much of its juices as possible.
Moisture will help preserve the steak’s flavor and texture. On the other hand, air is the antagonist of cooked steaks.
Therefore you will need to vacuum-seal your steak to prevent them from drying out.
If you are interested in purchasing a vacuum sealer, check out our buyers guide.
Vacuum sealers will seal moisture in and prevent air from coming into contact with the skin.
Alternatively, you can wrap your steak with freezer paper or butcher paper.
The butcher paper is thick enough to seal in moisture and prevent air from penetrating the steak.
Wrap each steak individually, then place them into a resealable freezer bag in a single layer.
Place the bag onto a level surface and squeeze out as much air as possible.
Place the steak into the refrigerator in an even layer.
Ensure there is enough space between the steak and other foods so air can circulate.
Want to know how to reheat steak, check out our guide.
How Long Does Steak Last In The Fridge
Ever cooked the perfectly seared Porterhouse steak but could not eat all of it in one setting?
You placed the leftover steak into the fridge for dinner the next day but forgot about it and cooked something new.
Now you are wondering if that steak is still safe to consume 3 days later.
This is why it is so important to know how long cooked steak lasts in the fridge.
If you consume the steak but don’t remember when it was refrigerated, and it has already spoiled, you may end up vomiting or developing food poisoning.
Either way, you will be stuck at home wishing you never eat the leftover Denver steak.
The only instance in which it is safe to eat cooked steak is if it is stored in the refrigerator for 4 days at or below 40°F.
Even though you have leeway, if you cannot remember when the steak was cooked or refrigerated, do not consume it. Throw the steak away.
Although you may be disappointed you do not get to indulge in the succulent steak, you will be happy you avoided diarrhea, bloody stool, dehydration, or severe abdominal pains.
Refrigerating cooked steak only delays bacteria; it does not stop it.
How Long Is Steak Raw Good For?
Raw steak stored in the fridge has a pretty short shelf-life. Raw steak has a longer shelf-life than cooked steak.
Raw steak is not as likely to become contaminated with bacteria.
However, the USDA guidelines suggest raw storing steak in the refrigerator for 5 days.
After 5 days, the steak is considered spoiled and must be discarded.
Spoiled raw meats can change colors. Discard it if there are any dark brown patches on your steak.
Another factor to consider when it comes to storing raw steaks is the way it was stored.
For example, the temperature of the fridge as well as what the steaks were stored in have an integral role in determining how long it lasts in the fridge.
Raw steak that is stored in airtight packaging or containers in a cold fridge will last longer.
On the other hand, loosely covered steak stored in a fridge above the recommended temperature of 40°F will spoil faster.
Below 40°F is the perfect environment for bacteria to multiply on the surface of your steak, which shortens its shelf-life rapidly.
In addition to this, make sure you store your steak on a cookie sheet or in a deep container away from other ready-to-eat foods or cooked foods to prevent cross-contamination.
Cross-contamination may also result in food poisoning.
How Long Is Thawed Steak Good For?
Frozen steak has a much longer shelf life than refrigerated raw or cooked steak.
Even though the steak goes into the refrigerator in its frozen state, it will gradually defrost as it adjusts to the fridge’s temperature.
Eventually, the steak will be the same temperature as the other foods in the fridge.
Thawing by refrigeration is the best way to defrost meat. It gives you a little more leeway before you have to cook the steak.
In addition to this, you will not have to worry about leaving the stick sitting out on the counter too long or forgetting that you left it on the counter.
Steaks will last 1-2 days stored in the refrigerator after they are completely defrosted.
Final Thoughts
Though it is rare that you will find yourself unable to finish devouring a succulent steak, you need to know how long it will last in the fridge.
This will help you to consume the steak before it spoils and avoid wasting money and steak.
You might also be interested in:
- How Long Does Ground Beef Last In The Fridge
- How Long Does Rotisserie Chicken Last In The Fridge
- How Long Does Chicken Last In The Fridge
- How Long Does Turkey Last In The Fridge
- How Long Does Ground Turkey Last In The Fridge
- How Long Does Pork Last In The Fridge
- How Long Does Ham Last In The Fridge
- How Long Does Bacon Last In The Fridge
I have been smoking and grilling meat from an early age and enjoy sharing my knowledge and expertise through the hundreds of articles I have written about BBQ. I hope to make everyone’s BBQ journey that little bit easier.