How Long Food Lasts

Meat / Fresh

How long does beef last?

Quick answer

Beef (rib roast, bone-in) keeps 2-4 days in the refrigerator and 4-12 months in the freezer.

  • Tenderloin, whole 2-4 days in the refrigerator · 4-12 months in the freezer
  • Fresh steaks, chops, roasts 2-3 days in the refrigerator · 4-12 months in the freezer
  • Ground 1-2 days in the refrigerator · 3-4 months in the freezer
Form

Fridge

From purchase

2-4days

Freezer

Can be frozen: yes

4-12months

Pantry

No known time

-

Mine has been in the fridge for

Refreeze after thawing in the fridge?

United States
Yes
United Kingdom
Only after cooking

How long does beef last in the refrigerator?

  • Rib roast, bone-in2-4 daysFrom purchase
  • Rib roast; boneless, rolled2-4 daysFrom purchase
  • Round or rump roast2-4 daysFrom purchase
  • Tenderloin, whole2-4 daysFrom purchase
  • Tenderloin, half2-4 daysFrom purchase
  • Chuck roast, brisket2-4 daysFrom purchase
  • Steaks2-3 daysFrom purchase
  • Stew, cubes1-2 days
  • Short ribs3-5 daysFrom purchase
  • Ground1-2 daysFrom purchase
  • Fresh steaks, chops, roasts2-3 days

Refrigerators should be set to maintain a temperature of 40 °F or below.

Your fridge should be set between 0 and 5°C.

How long does beef last in the freezer?

  • Rib roast, bone-in4-12 months
  • Rib roast; boneless, rolled4-12 months
  • Round or rump roast4-12 months
  • Tenderloin, whole4-12 months
  • Tenderloin, half4-12 months
  • Chuck roast, brisket4-12 months
  • Steaks4-12 months
  • Stew, cubes4-12 months
  • Short ribs4-12 months
  • Ground3-4 months
  • Fresh steaks, chops, roasts4-12 months
  • General guidance3-6 months

Freezer times are for quality; frozen food stays safe.

Food stored constantly at 0 °F will always be safe. Only the quality suffers with lengthy freezer storage.

Your freezer should be around -18°C

A freezer acts as a pause button - food in a freezer won’t go bad and most bacteria cannot grow in it.

Can you freeze beef?

Yes.

How to thaw beef safely

  1. In the refrigerator
  2. In cold water, cook it right after thawing
  3. In the microwave, cook it right after thawing
  4. Cook it from frozen

There are three safe ways to thaw food: in the refrigerator, in cold water, or in the microwave.

Check the water frequently to be sure it stays cold. Change the water every 30 minutes. After thawing, cook immediately.

It is safe to cook foods from the frozen state. The cooking will take approximately 50% longer than the recommended time for fully thawed or fresh meat and poultry.

You should defrost your food in the fridge so that it doesn’t get too warm

It’s also important to use food within 24 hours after it’s been fully defrosted

Can you refreeze beef?

  • In the United StatesYes
  • In the United KingdomOnly after cooking

Food thawed in the refrigerator can be refrozen without cooking, although there may be some loss of quality.

Foods thawed by the cold water method should be cooked before refreezing.

After cooking raw foods which were previously frozen, it is safe to freeze the cooked foods.

You can freeze food again once cooked, but you’ll only be able to reheat it once after that

Can beef be stored at room temperature?

Official sources give no room-temperature (pantry) storage time for beef.

All forms at a glance

FormFridgeFreezerPantry
Rib roast, bone-in2-4 days4-12 months-
Rib roast; boneless, rolled2-4 days4-12 months-
Round or rump roast2-4 days4-12 months-
Tenderloin, whole2-4 days4-12 months-
Tenderloin, half2-4 days4-12 months-
Chuck roast, brisket2-4 days4-12 months-
Steaks2-3 days4-12 months-
Stew, cubes1-2 days4-12 months-
Short ribs3-5 days4-12 months-
Ground1-2 days3-4 months-
Fresh steaks, chops, roasts2-3 days4-12 months-
General guidance-3-6 months-

What the official sources say

“Roasts, beef, veal, pork, lamb 3-5 days 4-12 months”

“roasts 3 to 5 days 4 to 12 months”

“Beef, lamb, veal, and pork roasts 2 to 4 days”

“Hamburger & stew meats 1 - 2 days 3 - 4 months”

Frequently asked questions

How long does beef last in the refrigerator?

Rib roast, bone-in: 2-4 days; Rib roast; boneless, rolled: 2-4 days; Round or rump roast: 2-4 days; Tenderloin, whole: 2-4 days.

How long does beef last in the freezer?

Rib roast, bone-in: 4-12 months; Rib roast; boneless, rolled: 4-12 months; Round or rump roast: 4-12 months; Tenderloin, whole: 4-12 months. Freezer times are for quality; frozen food stays safe.

Can you freeze beef?

Yes.

Can you refreeze beef?

In the United States: Yes; In the United Kingdom: Only after cooking.

Can beef be stored at room temperature?

Official sources give no room-temperature (pantry) storage time for beef.

Good to know

Other figures given by the sources for close variants:

  • Fresh Meat (Beef, Veal, Lamb, and Pork): Steaks, chops, roasts Fridge 3-5 days
  • Fresh Beef Roast, Steaks, Chops or Ribs Fridge 3-5 days Freezer 6-12 months
  • Fresh beef, veal, lamb, and pork, Steaks Fridge 3-5 days Freezer 4-12 months
  • Fresh beef, veal, lamb, and pork, Chops Fridge 3-5 days Freezer 4-12 months
  • Fresh beef, veal, lamb, and pork, Roasts Fridge 3-5 days Freezer 4-12 months

Related foods

Sources

We always show the most cautious time among official sources. Last verified: October 1, 2026.

Values we do not display (3)

Values below were set aside: unconfirmed by a second independent source, or contradicted by a shorter time.