how long is meat good past the sell by date

Meat is often good for only 1–3 days past the sell-by date if it’s raw and refrigerated properly, though ground meat is usually on the shorter end and steaks/roasts can last a bit longer. Quality starts dropping around that date, so the safest move is to cook it sooner or freeze it right away.

Quick guide

• Ground beef: about 1–3 days past the sell-by date if kept cold the whole time.

• Steaks, chops, roasts: often 1–2 days longer than ground meat.

• Fresh raw meat in general: many sources suggest using it within 3–5 days of purchase , with shorter windows for ground meat.

• Vacuum-packed meat: can sometimes last longer in the fridge, depending on packaging and handling.

How to tell if it’s unsafe

Use the date as a guide, not the only rule. Toss the meat if it smells sour or off, feels slimy, or has unusual discoloration or stickiness.

Best practice

If you won’t cook it soon, freeze it before or by the sell-by date. Freezing stops the clock for safety as long as it stays frozen.

Simple rule of thumb

If it’s been refrigerated properly and is only a little past the date, it may still be okay. If there’s any doubt about smell, texture, or storage temperature, discard it.

TL;DR: For most raw meat, think a day or two past the sell-by date for steaks/roasts, and 1–3 days for ground meat , assuming it stayed cold the whole time.