How long can meat be stored in the refrigerator?

Meat is a vital source of protein and a staple food in the diet. Different types of meat products can be easily found in the nearest store and are relatively simple to store for both short and long periods. If done correctly, the product will not lose its beneficial properties and culinary qualities. We will discuss how and how long meat can be stored in the refrigerator in detail in this article.

How to prepare meat for storage

For convenience, you can divide a piece of meat into smaller portions so that you can use the appropriate amount for cooking right away. Meat should be stored in containers made of plastic, glass, or enamel.

Note that when storing, you should not wrap meat in plastic wrap or place it in a bag: this will cause it to become damp and spoil faster. In vacuum packaging, however, the product will last longer. You can also use a waffle towel or parchment paper: they will help keep the meat fresh even longer.

There is another way to extend the shelf life of meat. If you place it deeper in the refrigerator and try not to open the door too often to avoid temperature fluctuations, this will help maintain the freshness of the product.

How long does beef last in the refrigerator

Depending on how the beef has been processed, it can remain suitable for consumption for varying lengths of time. Chilled meat can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cooked beef lasts only a couple of days, and it is recommended to keep it in broth — otherwise, the meat will dry out. Baked beef remains fresh for the same amount of time, while in the form of a steak, this type of meat can stay fresh for 3–4 days. Stewed beef lasts up to 3 days.

A separate question is: how long does marinated meat last? If you used mayonnaise in its preparation, after being stored in the refrigerator for more than 3 days, the beef will have to be thrown away. If you used kefir, this period is 2 days. Marinated meat with onions, vinegar, garlic, and pepper will remain fresh when stored in the refrigerator for 4 days.

Storage features of pork in the refrigerator

Pork should be stored in the upper part of the refrigerator, wrapped in paper — the product should not absorb the odors of other foods. This type of meat does not last long. Chilled pork can stay in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The answer to the question of how long cooked meat lasts in the refrigerator is no more than 2 days. Fried and baked pork lasts 2–3 days, while stewed pork remains fresh for 5 days.

If you have frozen pork, it should be thawed on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator. After that, it is not recommended to put the meat back in the freezer. Thawed pork can remain fresh for only one day, even in the refrigerator.

Storage features of lamb in the refrigerator

Many believe that lamb makes the most delicious shashlik. How long such shashlik lasts in the refrigerator depends on what the marinade was made from. If you used vegetables and herbs, the lamb will stay fresh for up to 2 days. Meat marinated in mineral water should be consumed within 12–14 hours, while lamb marinated in wine and vinegar lasts up to 5 days.

We have figured out how long marinated meat lasts in the refrigerator. If you prefer other cooking methods for this type of meat, it is also important to know how long it lasts in each case. Thus, chilled lamb can be kept in the refrigerator for no more than 3 days. In boiled and stewed form, this type of meat remains fresh for only one day. After frying lamb, be sure to eat it within 2–2.5 days, otherwise, it will spoil. Baked meat lasts up to 2 days.

How to store rabbit meat in the refrigerator

Rabbit meat can be called a “long-liver” compared to other types of meat. In chilled form, it lasts up to 5 days. This period can be extended by one day if the meat is placed on the top shelf of the refrigerator. By placing rabbit meat in vacuum packaging, the product can be stored for a full two weeks. After boiling, this meat should be eaten within 3 days, just like fried meat. Baked rabbit will stay fresh for 2–3 days, while stewed rabbit will last for 5 days.