You want to extend the shelf life of ground beef, but still maintain its taste and quality. So, how long can you freeze ground beef?
It’s always helpful to have an extra pound of ground beef on hand for quick dinners, like hamburgers, tacos or this spaghetti skillet. But you can only keep ground beef in the refrigerator for one or two days, and then it needs to be tucked away in the freezer for later.
Best Way to Freeze Ground Beef
There are two important things to remember about ground beef: storing it at the correct temperature and timeliness. If you stock up on ground beef while grocery shopping, go home immediately afterward. You’ll want to keep the meat at 40° F or below for safety. This will slow the growth of bacteria, like E. coli, and help maintain the freshness of your meat.
If you plan on using the meat ASAP, keep it in the store-bought packaging. However, if you plan on storing it away for longer, portion out the ground beef as needed and wrapping each piece in heavy-duty plastic wrap, freezer paper, aluminum foil or plastic freezer bags.
How Long Can You Freeze Ground Beef?
Technically, ground beef can stay frozen indefinitely, but you’ll be sacrificing quality as time passes. Your frozen ground beef is best used within four months.
We recommend marking the date on each portion of ground beef. This will help you keep an eye on storage times and use meat that’s been frozen longest first.
How to Defrost Ground Beef
You’re preparing to make your famous spaghetti and meatballs tonight for dinner. Of course, you’ll need a couple pounds of your frozen ground beef!
The safest way to defrost frozen ground beef is in the refrigerator. Keeping the meat cold while allowing it to defrost keeps harmful bacteria from growing and spreading before cooking begins. It’s important to note that this method could take up to a day or more, so plan ahead if possible.
Should you need to defrost the meat quicker, you can use the microwave or a bowl of cold water. When using the microwave, make sure to cook the meat immediately after it’s ready, because some parts may have starting cooking during the defrosting process. If using cold water, place the meat in an airtight bag and submerge in the bowl of cold water. Then, change the water every 30 minutes until it’s thawed and cook immediately afterward.
You may notice that some parts of the ground beef have turned gray after freezing—but that meat is safe to eat.
Keep an Eye on the Danger Zone
The “Danger Zone” refers to temperatures between 40° and 140° F. Harmful bacteria multiply quickly within the Danger Zone, so it’s important to never leave ground beef at room temperature for longer than 2 hours. This is an essential tip to know when freezing food.
Our Best Ground Beef Recipes
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Simple Taco Soup
We first sampled this chili-like taco soup recipe at a church dinner. What a warming dish for a cold day. And because it uses packaged seasonings with several cans of vegetables, it's a snap to prepare. —Glenda Taylor, Sand Springs, Oklahoma
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Porcupine MeatballsThese well-seasoned porcupine meatballs in a rich tomato sauce are one of my mom's best ground beef recipes. I used to love this meal when I was growing up. I made it at home for our children, and now my daughters make it for their families. —Darlis Wilfer, West Bend, Wisconsin
Cheeseburger SoupA local restaurant serves a similar cheeseburger soup. I liked it so much that I developed my own, modifying a recipe I already had for potato soup. I was really pleased with the way this all-American dish turned out. —Joanie Shawhan, Madison, Wisconsin
Favorite Baked SpaghettiThis baked spaghetti is my grandchildren's most-loved dish. It feels like such a special dinner and is so cozy for winter. —Louise Miller, Westminster, Maryland
Easy Ground Beef Taco SaladEvery time I have to bring a dish to a party, friends ask for my taco salad. Even players on my son's football team ask for it. —Lori Buntrock, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin
Southwestern CasseroleI've been making this mild family-pleasing southwest casserole recipe for years. It tastes wonderful, fits nicely into our budget and, best of all, makes a second one to freeze and enjoy later. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Favorite Hamburger StewI got this hamburger stew recipe from a woman at our church, Lois Henry, when I needed a way to use up our bounty of home-canned tomatoes. My husband loves it, and I like that it's easy to warm up for a carefree dinner in the winter months. —Marcia Clay, Truman, Minnesota
Quick Tater Tots BakeI like to make this Tater Tot casserole when time before supper is short. If we have unexpected company, I just double the ingredients and use a 13x9-in. pan. I call it my Please Stay Casserole! —Jean Ferguson, Elverta, California
Cowboy Calico BeansThis is a tradition at the table when my girlfriends and I go up north for a girls' weekend. The husbands and kids are left at home, but the slow cooker comes with us! —Julie Butsch, Hartland, Wisconsin
Italian Pasta BakeI love to make this pasta bake whenever I need to bring a dish to pass. Fresh tomatoes add a nice touch that's missing from most other meat, pasta and tomato casseroles.—Karla Johnson, East Helena, Montana
Burrito BakeBack when I was in college, my roommate would frequently make this economical baked burrito casserole. It's so easy to put together, and one serving goes a long way. —Cindee Ness, Horace, North Dakota
Ground Beef Hash Brown CasseroleBecause this ground beef hash brown casserole is practically a meal in itself, I simply pair it with a salad and dessert. —Rochelle Boucher, Brooklyn, Wisconsin
Taco Salad for a Large CrowdI made this huge taco salad to bring to a party and people were scrambling to figure out who made it. Needless to say I only brought home an empty bowl and the guests went home with a full stomach! Everyone loves this taco salad recipe. —Lisa Homer, Avon, New York
Mom’s Spanish RiceMy mom is famous for her Spanish rice recipe, the ultimate comfort food. When I want a taste of home, I whip up this dish. Punch up the flavor with a little lime and extra chili powder. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Meat-and-Potato CasseroleFor variety, you can use another kind of cream soup (cream of mushroom, for instance). But try this meat and potato casserole this way first.—Marna Heitz, Farley, Iowa
Taco Noodle CasseroleI got creative while we were housebound during a snowstorm one winter and used ingredients I had on hand to come up with this hearty Taco Noodle Casserole. —Judy Munger, Warren, Minnesota
Korean Beef and RiceA friend raved about Korean bulgogi, which is beef cooked in soy sauce and ginger, so I tried it. It's delicious! You'll dazzle the table with this tasty version of Korean beef and rice. —Elizabeth King, Duluth, Minnesota
Cheeseburger CupsThe best recipe for moms with young kids and busy lives, this simple, inexpensive dish is made with handy ingredients and takes just a short time. Best of all, kids will go absolutely crazy for these darling dinner bites! —Jeri Millhouse, Ashland, Ohio
Contest-Winning Taco CasseroleMy preschooler doesn’t eat ground beef unless it’s taco flavored, so I came up with this taco bake we all like. To make assembly easy, I prepare the taco meat and freeze several bags at a time. I also cook the noodles over the weekend for a timely supper later in the week. –Kathy Wilson, Romeoville, Illinois
Potato-Topped Ground Beef SkilletCompared to other ground beef recipes, the depth of flavor in this recipe is the best, and I never have leftovers when I take it to potlucks. I love recipes that I can cook and serve in the same skillet. If your butcher has chili grind beef, which is coarsely ground, go for that; it lends an extra meaty texture. —Fay Moreland, Wichita Falls, Texas
Polpette di MammaWhen you think of Italian food, spaghetti with meatballs is probably one of the first dishes that comes to mind. Every Italian mother and grandmother has their signature polpette (meatball) recipe, and their children will always boast that their meatballs are the best. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Frito PieFrito pie is legendary in the Southwest for being spicy, salty and cheesy fabulous. Here’s my easy take on this crunchy classic. —Jan Moon, Alamogordo, New Mexico
Beef and Noodle CasseroleWhen I was working on the local election board in the '50s, one of my co-workers gave me this ground beef casserole with noodles recipe, and it has been a family favorite ever since. It's quick to make for unexpected company or easily doubled for a potluck. —Mary Hinman, Escondido, California
Barbecued MeatballsGrape jelly and chili sauce are the secrets that make these meatballs so fantastic. If I’m serving them at a party, I prepare the meatballs and sauce in advance and reheat them right before guests arrive. —Irma Schnuelle, Manitowoc, Wisconsin
Mom's Meat LoafMom made the best meatloaf recipe, and now I do, too. When I first met my husband, he didn't care for homemade meatloaf, but this won him over. —Michelle Beran, Claflin, Kansas
Stuffed Pepper SoupI was talking about stuffed peppers with the other cooks at the restaurant where I work. We decided to mix similar ingredients for a soup. Customer response was overwhelming! —Krista Muddiman, Meadville, Pennsylvania
Quick and Simple MeatballsKeep a batch of these meatballs in your freezer for an easy weeknight meal. This simple ground beef recipe can be used for pizzas, sub sandwiches, in soups and more. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Taco Salad CasseroleThis taco casserole recipe tastes like a taco salad and is a breeze to assemble. I crush tortilla chips to form a bottom layer, then spread on refried beans, a spicy meat mixture and cheese. —Rhonda McKee, Greensburg, Kansas
Three-Bean Baked BeansWith ground beef and bacon mixed in, these satisfying beans are a big hit at backyard barbecues and church picnics. I'm always asked to bring my special beans. —Julie Currington, Gahanna, Ohio
Zucchini Pizza CasseroleMy husband has a hearty appetite, our two kids never tire of pizza and I grow lots of zucchini, so this tasty tomato casserole is absolutely tops with us throughout the entire year. Once you've tried the recipe, you may even decide to grow more zucchini in your own garden next summer! —Lynn Bernstetter, White Bear Lake, Minnesota
Tasty BurritosMy cousin is of Mexican heritage, and I’ve watched her make this crunchy beef burrito recipe for years. The very first time I made them for my own family, they instantly became a favorite meal. They’re even better warmed up the next day in the microwave. —Debi Lane, Chattanooga, Tennessee
Easy Beef-Stuffed ShellsHere’s a rich and comforting dish that’s terrific right away or made ahead and baked the next day. Pesto makes a surprising filling for these stuffed shells with meat sauce. —Blair Lonergan, Rochelle, Virginia
Sloppy Joes SandwichesYou’ll love this quick, easy and economical homemade sloppy joe recipe. Brown sugar adds a touch of sweetness, both for traditional sandwiches on buns or as a down-home topping for rice, biscuits or baked potatoes. —Laurie Hauser, Rochester, New York
Old-Fashioned Cabbage RollsIt was an abundance of dill in my garden that led me to try this, and now it's one of my best recipes. My family liked the taste so much that, from then on, I made my old-fashioned cabbage rolls recipe with dill. – Florence Krantz, Bismarck, North Dakota
Cowboy Beef DipIn a foods class, a group of us developed this recipe for the North Dakota's annual Beef Bash. We won the contest!—Jessica Klym, Killdeer, North Dakota
Taco LasagnaIf you like foods with southwestern flair, this just might become a new favorite. Loaded with cheese, meat and beans, the layered casserole comes together in a snap. There are never any leftovers when I take this dish to potlucks. —Terri Keena, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Unstuffed Cabbage CasseroleI received the recipe for this unstuffed cabbage casserole from a teacher at the preschool where I work. It's a nutritious and economical meal for busy families. —Judy Thorn, Mars, Pennsylvania
Best Salisbury SteakFinding the best Salisbury steak recipe is hard! I remember enjoying it often when I was growing up, but when I decided to add it to my recipe collection, I wasn't able to find it in my modern cookbooks. I came up with these ingredients on my own and experimented until it tasted like the dish I remembered. —Faye Hintz, Springfield, Missouri
Homemade PizzaThis recipe is a hearty, zesty main dish with a crisp, golden crust. Feel free to add your favorite toppings. —Marianne Edwards, Lake Stevens, Washington
Best LasagnaWant to know how to make lasagna for a casual holiday meal? You can't go wrong with this deliciously rich ground beef lasagna recipe. My grown sons and daughter-in-law request it for their birthdays, too. —Pam Thompson, Girard, Illinois
Mexican Ground Beef CasseroleBorn out of a need to rid the fridge of extras, this Mexican ground beef casserole recipe is as great as it is flexible. Add more corn to make it sweeter, if you like. You can also spice it up as hot or mild as you want. —David Mills, Indianapolis, Indiana
Chili con CarneAt chili suppers, this chili con carne recipe always disappears first! It's nice at home, too, since the longer it sits in the refrigerator, the better the taste seems to get. —Janie Turner, Tuttle, Oklahoma
Walking TacosThese Walking Tacos are great for an on-the-go dinner, campfire meal or easy game night supper. The ingredients transform a bag of chips into a taco in a bag! —Beverly Matthews, Pasco, Washington
Firecracker CasseroleMy husband and I love this southwestern-style firecracker casserole. The flavor reminds us of enchiladas, but the recipe doesn't require the extra time to roll them up. —Teressa Eastman, El Dorado, Kansas
Traditional LasagnaMy family first tasted this rich, homemade lasagna recipe at a friend's home on Christmas Eve. We were so impressed that it became our own holiday tradition as well. I also prepare it other times of the year. This classic lasagna recipe is requested often by my sister's Italian in-laws—I consider that the highest compliment! —Lorri Foockle, Granville, Illinois
Enchilada CasseroleEvery time I serve this ground beef recipe, I get satisfied reviews—even from my father, who is the pickiest eater. Plus, it smells delicious while baking! —Nancy VanderVeer, Knoxville, Iowa
Creamy Beef & PotatoesOne of my husband's favorite childhood memories was eating his Grandma Barney's Tater Tot Casserole. One day I prepared it using potatoes O'Brien instead. Now I always make it this way. — Heather Matthews, Keller, Texas
Lasagna RollsMy Italian lasagna roll-ups are not complicated; they require only basic ingredients to assemble. Prepared spaghetti sauce helps me save time and get dinner on the table sooner. —Mary Lee Thomas, Logansport, Indiana
Having always wanted a career in writing, Melany couldn't have found a better place than Taste of Home to begin. When she's not scribbling in her notebook or working at her computer, she can be found experimenting with new recipes or relaxing with a book and her cats.
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Updated: Mar. 01, 2022
Simple Taco Soup
We first sampled this chili-like taco soup recipe at a church dinner. What a warming dish for a cold day. And because it uses packaged seasonings with several cans of vegetables, it's a snap to prepare. —Glenda Taylor, Sand Springs, Oklahoma
