Mince also known as ground beef is very versatile and a staple in many kitchens. This is because it is less expensive as compared to other types of meat. The downside of mince is that once cooked, it doesn’t really last for a long period of time as compared to other types of meat. The article below aims at guiding you on how long you can keep cooked mince in the fridge. Other alternatives to storing cooked mince will also be highlighted for you.
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How long can you keep cooked mince in the fridge?
You can keep cooked mince in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. However, when you keep cooked ground beef in the fridge you need to ensure that it is placed in an air tight container. This will help to keep air and moisture away from the meat. Below is a method that you can use to keep cooked mince in the fridge.
NB: you should keep cooked mince in the fridge within 2 hours after preparation. This is because if you leave it exposed to room temperature for more than that, it will start to turn bad.
How to keep cooked mince in the fridge
If you want to keep cooked mince in the fridge for 3 to 4 days then you need to follow these simple steps. They will really help to preserve the taste of your cooked mince.
Step 1
In order to keep cooked ground beef in the fridge start by letting it cool down. This is because if you store it while hot it will cause the temperature of the fridge to change. This will then affect the shelf life of other foods in your fridge.
Step 2
Drain any excess fat from your cooked ground beef. The next thing is to place the cooked ground beef in an air tight container. If you do not have an air tight container you can always place the meat in a freezer bag. Take out as much air as possible from the bag. This will help to eliminate any chances of premature spoilage.
Step 3
Place the cooked mince in the fridge. When keeping cooked mince in the fridge ensure that you place it on a refrigerator shelf and not the door. This is mainly because each time the refrigerator door is opened, the temperature rises. This could then compromise the shelf life of cooked ground beef.
Temperature for keeping cooked mince in the fridge
Keep cooked mince in the fridge at a temperature of 40F or below. This is because if you store it at this temperature range bacteria will not be able to contaminate it. Bacteria usually contaminates food that are stored between 40F to 140F. Therefore, by keeping cooked ground beef at temperatures below that range you are eliminating any chances of food poisoning.
How long can you keep cooked mince in the freezer?
You can keep cooked mince in the fridge for 3 to 4 days but, if you keep cooked mince in the freezer it will last for 3 to 4 months. When keeping cooked mince in the freezer you need to ensure that you place it into freezer bags and tightly seal them. Below are a few guidelines on how to keep cooked mince in the freezer.
How to keep cooked mince in the freezer
Step 1
If you want to keep cooked ground mince in the freezer you have to start by letting the mince cool down. This is because you cannot package it while hot.
Step 2
When the mince has cooled down, drain any excess oil from the mince. Divide it into meal portions. This will help you in the long run since you can always defrost 1 portion instead of the whole batch.
Step 3
Once you have divided the cooked ground beef, place it into freezer bags. Before sealing the freezer bags take out as much air as possible. This will help to prevent freezer burn as well as premature spoilage.
Step 4
Label the freezer bags with the date in which you are storing the cooked mince in the freezer. This will help you to remember when the cooked mince is most likely to turn bad. Place the cooked mince in the freezer. It will last for 3 to 4 months.
How to thaw cooked mince
The best way of thawing cooked ground beef or cooked mince is in the fridge. You can simply take it out of the freezer and let it thaw in the fridge overnight. This is actually the best method of thawing cooked mince since it does not expose the meat to bacteria. If you are in a hurry and you forgot to thaw your cooked mince in the fridge you can always resort to the microwave. However, once you thaw cooked mince in the microwave you need to reheat it as soon as possible to avoid the build-up of bacteria.
How to tell when cooked mince has turned bad
Smell changes
When cooked mince has turned bad the smell changes. When you notice this you should definitely throw away the cooked mince. This is because if you eat cooked ground beef that has turned bad you will get sick.
Appearance changes
When cooked mince has turned bad the appearance changes. You might start to notice moulds on the meat. Moulds are a clear sign that your meat has turned bad and because of that you need to throw it away. If you also notice any discolouration’s on your cooked ground beef then you definitely need to throw it away.
Texture changes
When cooked mince has turned bad the texture changes. It will start having a slimy texture which can stick to your hands. If you see this on your cooked ground beef it means that it has turned bad. Therefore, you need to discard it immediately.
Conclusion
The article has noted that you can keep cooked mince in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. The freezer is also another option that you can resort to. This is because it extends the shelf life of cooked ground beef for up to 3 or 4 months.
