How long does beef last in the refrigerator?

3 to 5 days in the refrigerator, counted from the date of purchase, per the USDA FSIS FoodKeeper dataset. Times assume a refrigerator at or below 40 °F (4 °C).

Yes. 4 to 12 months in the freezer, counted from the date of purchase, per the USDA FSIS FoodKeeper dataset. This is a best-quality window — food kept constantly frozen at 0 °F (−18 °C) stays safe indefinitely.

How Long Does Beef Last?

Meat · 10 preparations · official USDA FoodKeeper guidance, snapshot 2026-07-24

Type or preparation

Storage method

* freezer times are best-quality windows

Beef — rib roast, bone-in — refrigerator, from date of purchase

3 to 5 days in the refrigerator

Refrigerator at or below 40 °F (4 °C)
Applies from date of purchase · rib roast, bone-in

Stored on

Pick a valid date to calculate the recommended use-by window.

Source: USDA FSIS FoodKeeper (v128, snapshot 2026-07-24) · About this data · Report an issue

FoodStorageCheck — official USDA FoodKeeper guidance · foodstoragecheck.com

All official guidance for beef

Every storage entry the USDA FoodKeeper dataset lists for this food, exactly as published (v128, snapshot 2026-07-24). “No official duration listed” means the source does not provide a number for that combination — not that the food lasts forever.

Beef — rib roast, bone-in

Where	Condition	Official time
Refrigerator	from date of purchase	3 to 5 days
Freezer	from date of purchase	4 to 12 months (best quality)

Beef — rib roast; boneless, rolled

Where	Condition	Official time
Refrigerator	from date of purchase	3 to 5 days
Freezer	from date of purchase	4 to 12 months (best quality)

Beef — round or rump roast

Where	Condition	Official time
Refrigerator	from date of purchase	3 to 5 days
Freezer	from date of purchase	4 to 12 months (best quality)

Beef — tenderloin, whole

Where	Condition	Official time
Refrigerator	from date of purchase	3 to 5 days
Freezer	from date of purchase	4 to 12 months (best quality)

Beef — tenderloin, half

Where	Condition	Official time
Refrigerator	from date of purchase	3 to 5 days
Freezer	from date of purchase	4 to 12 months (best quality)

Beef — chuck roast, brisket

Where	Condition	Official time
Refrigerator	from date of purchase	3 to 5 days
Freezer	from date of purchase	4 to 12 months (best quality)

Beef — steaks

Where	Condition	Official time
Refrigerator	from date of purchase	3 to 5 days
Freezer	from date of purchase	4 to 12 months (best quality)

Beef — stew, cubes

Where	Condition	Official time
Refrigerator	from date of purchase	3 to 5 days
Freezer	from date of purchase	4 to 12 months (best quality)

Beef — short ribs

Where	Condition	Official time
Refrigerator	from date of purchase	3 to 5 days
Freezer	from date of purchase	4 to 12 months (best quality)

Beef — ground

Where	Condition	Official time
Refrigerator	from date of purchase	1 to 2 days
Freezer	from date of purchase	3 to 4 months (best quality)

Common questions about beef

How long does beef last in the refrigerator?: 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator, counted from the date of purchase, per the USDA FSIS FoodKeeper dataset. Times assume a refrigerator at or below 40 °F (4 °C).
Can you freeze beef?: Yes. 4 to 12 months in the freezer, counted from the date of purchase, per the USDA FSIS FoodKeeper dataset. This is a best-quality window — food kept constantly frozen at 0 °F (−18 °C) stays safe indefinitely.

Two reminders that apply here

Keep the fridge at 40 °F (4 °C) or below.Refrigerator times in this dataset assume a refrigerator held at or below 40 °F. An appliance thermometer is the reliable way to check.

The two-hour rule.Perishable food left at room temperature for more than 2 hours (1 hour above 90 °F / 32 °C) should be discarded, per FoodSafety.gov. Storage windows assume food was refrigerated promptly.