How Long Does Uncooked Chicken Last In The Refrigerator?
Topic: How Long Does Uncooked Chicken Last In The Refrigerator?
Chicken is one of the most widely consumed products on the market and one of the riskiest if not handled correctly. If the summer heat is added to that, it is clear that it is better to take note of some tips to avoid problems.
Obviously, the chicken needs cold for its correct conservation. In fact, the room temperature that is reached in many kitchens in summer is the perfect breeding ground for the reproduction of bacteria.
So, of course, the chicken always in the fridge or in the freezer, avoiding leaving it out both raw and once cooked if it is not going to be consumed at the moment.
But how long does it last in the fridge after you buy it? To clear up doubts, we have consulted with Lluís Riera, Saia’s food safety expert.
“It is best to always follow the instructions and dates indicated by the manufacturer if it is packaged chicken, ” he recommends. In that case, the duration is usually 2 or 3 days, while the non-packaged chicken -which we buy whole or cut in pieces at the butcher shop- is better not to exceed two days.
The reason? The meat trays are usually packed with a modified atmosphere, adding gases that allow them to lengthen the shelf life a bit.
The duration will also depend on the freezing system If the idea is to freeze the chicken. If frozen at home from fresh chicken, it should not be more than three months in the freezer. On the contrary, if it is chicken that we already buy frozen, the shelf life can be extended by 12 months.
In any case, it is important to always freeze it as soon as possible, and while the chicken is in perfect condition, not when it has been forgotten in the fridge and starts to look bad.
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How Long Does Uncooked Chicken Last In The Refrigerator?
When buying chicken, read the sale date on the label. When you get home, do not put the chicken in the package it came in. Wash your hands, don’t wash the chicken. ! Put it back on the wrong zipper and write the sale date on the outside where you can see it. Wash your hands.
The USDA says 1-2 days max, BUT they don’t say if it is from the date of purchase or from the date of sale. I did the no-no to put the original packaging in the fridge and took it out 6 days later. It smelled good so I cooked it anyway. But here are some other “help” tips from SPOT and SMOT:
Smell: does it smell bad? The rotten chicken smell is distinctive and pungent. If the chicken hasn’t spoiled, it should only smell like chicken and not have a strong repellent odor.
Package: If it is still sealed in the package, check the expiration date. If it’s over it and it’s been in the fridge for a week, it’s probably not safe.
Note: The color of fresh chicken is light pink. If it has turned gray, you are probably not sure.
Touch: The chicken should not have a slimy or runny texture. If it looks like mucus, throw it out. {I smelled the slimy thighs a bit and washed them – no, no, but they were steamed and grilled fine and I’m still here]
Cooked: Odor: Same as a raw chicken test, but watch out for spices that can mask the smell of spoiled chicken. If you’ve exceeded your goal, you will probably smell like rotten eggs.
Mold – You should notice it right away. No part of your chicken should turn black or green.
Note: Again, color matters. Cooked chicken should appear white on the bottom, so if it looks gray or discolored, it’s not safe.
Taste: Obviously no one wants to eat bad chicken, but if all other tests fail and you’re really not sure, try a small bite. You will immediately know if you don’t know well when to spit it out and throw it away.