meat - sell by date - when to use by?

[rebeccaravit]

Does the meat sell by date also mean to use by that date?

Bought ground meat on Sat 6/7 and sell by date is 6/8. Today is 6/10.

Toss it?

[o_mom]

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Factsheets/...ting/index.asp

This says 1-2 days after the sell by date for ground meat. At this point, I would probably use it for tacos or something where I knew it would be cooked very well done. I probably wouldn't use it for hamburgers where it might be medium or slightly less done.

[Tondi G]

I agree with the PP... I would use it for something where you know it will be cooked through... tacos, Meat sauce for spaghetti etc.

[LarsMal]

Whenever I call my mom and ask her about this she always says the same thing, "It's good for a few days after the 'sell by' date, but smell it. If it doesn't smell right, don't use it."

So that's what I do. At first I didn't know what it was/wasn't supposed to smell like, until I opened ground turkey one time and it just had a weird, faint odor to it, so I tossed it.

[calv]

Originally Posted by rebeccaravit

Does the meat sell by date also mean to use by that date?

Bought ground meat on Sat 6/7 and sell by date is 6/8. Today is 6/10.

Toss it?

so i'm curious about frozen meat that has gone past the date. I buy a lot of stuff in bulk and freeze it long past the sell by date.

[HIU8]

If you freeze it right away you should be able to use it anytime. I freeze it and then when I go to use it, I defrost in the microwave and cook immediately (I don't let it sit out to thaw).

[rebeccaravit]

Update:
It smelled fine, so I made small burgers for the kids which tasted fine. DH and I are eating burgers tonight from the meat.

As for freezing, meat keeps in the fridge for months. For ground meat, I buy in bulk and freeze in smaller portions. I wrap the portions in Press and Seal wrap and then put into a ziploc. There is no freezer burn with the Press and Seal. Take out a day or two before you need it and defrost in the fridge.