Cooked ground beef lasts about 3–4 days in the refrigerator when stored properly in an airtight container at or below 40°F (4°C).

Quick Scoop: Safe fridge time

  • Typical safe window: 3–4 days in the fridge for cooked ground beef.
  • After day 4, it’s considered unsafe and should be discarded, even if it looks okay.
  • For longer storage, you can freeze cooked ground beef for about 2–4 months for best quality.

Simple safety checks

Before eating leftovers, check for:

  • Unpleasant or sour smell, or anything that smells “off.”
  • Slimy or sticky texture.
  • Gray or unusual discoloration, or visible mold.

If you notice any of these or you’re just not sure, throw it out—when in doubt, throw it out.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.