How Long Can Beef Sit Out?

How long can beef sit out Beef can be safely left out at room temperature for about four hours or it can be refrigerated up to two days before cooking. Beef should not be kept out longer than four hours whether on the countertop or in the refrigerator.

Food scientists say food poisoning bacteria grow rapidly at temps between 40 and 140 degrees F., within a range called the danger zone. To avoid dangerous exposure to those bacteria, cook or refrigerate perishables as quickly as possible.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends that fresh beef be refrigerated below 40 degrees Fahrenheit within two hours or one hour if the air temperature is above 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

According to a report in the Institute of Food Technologies’ journal, IFT’s Foods: The Science of What We Eat, bacteria such as staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli O157:H7 can double in numbers every 20 minutes when held in temperatures between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit. At room temperature, some bacteria can grow to dangerous levels in just two hours. How long can beef sit out?

Refrigeration slows

Bacteria are not killed by freezing. The report said that bacteria are capable of growing to dangerous levels even in frozen foods because the food remains in the danger zone while thawing.

The report recommends that beef products need to be refrigerated or cooled from 40 degrees Fahrenheit to 130 degrees F within four hours and from 130 degrees F to 70 degrees F within two hours.

The cooling process can take as long as 24 hours, so it is best not to buy more than you will use in this time period. The danger zone will continue until the temperature of the food is 70 degrees F or below.

Freezing

Frozen foods that are taken home from the supermarket should be placed in a refrigerator immediately. Previously frozen meats may have been exposed to bacteria while being stored at extremely low temperatures before being moved to the retail location’s freezer section.

The USDA recommends cooking ground beef patties to 160 degrees F and whole cuts of beef at 145 degrees F, followed by a three-minute rest time. Using a digital cooking thermometer is the best way to make sure meat has reached the recommended safe minimum internal temperature.

Safer Thawing

Bacteria multiply most rapidly between 40 and 140 degrees F, so thawing food at room temperature is not recommended. The National Center for Home Food Preservation recommends thawing beef in the refrigerator, cold water, or in the microwave. It can take from one to four hours to thaw a 1-inch thick cut of beef in the refrigerator.

A quick-thaw method that is often recommended for small cuts of meat such as steaks and chicken breasts involves submerging the wrapped food in cold water. Food should be kept submerged until it has thawed, and this should take no more than one to two hours.

Coldwater should never be used to thaw large cuts of meat such as roasts and whole poultry. Such cuts should always be thawed in the refrigerator, allowing one day for every 5 pounds of weight.

A microwave can also be used to quickly defrost beef by placing it in a microwave-safe dish that holds the food and adding enough water to cover the meat.

Another option is to plan ahead and remove frozen meat from the freezer in the morning to thaw in the refrigerator. This will allow it to thaw slowly enough that bacteria do not get a chance to multiply, but be sure to place it on a plate or tray to catch any liquid that drips off.

 Can you leave raw beef out overnight?

As mentioned above, the USDA’s Food Safety & Inspection Service says that beef needs to be stored in a refrigerator at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below. If you are keeping it out overnight for use in a recipe, then it should be placed back in the fridge by day’s end if you want to avoid refrigerating it when you’re ready to use it.

Food safety experts recommend that if you’re going to use a portion of food within a couple of days, then refrigerating it immediately is not necessary. Raw meat can be stored in a clean, unsealed container on the bottom shelf of your fridge or wrapped tightly and placed on a plate or tray to catch any liquid drops from the item.

What is the 2 4 hour rule?

The 2 4 hour rule refers to the amount of time that food needs to stay refrigerated. It’s a general rule, so you can use it as a guideline, but it’s safer to go by internal temperature than just looking at the clock.

One day = 8 hours or less

Two days = up to 48 hours

Three days = up to 72 hours

Four days = up to 96 hours

Anything over four days, and you should toss the item.

Food that is not kept within this time frame will most likely be unsafe to eat. You can tell by looking at it or smelling it, but the best way to ensure safety is with temperature. If your food falls below the safe internal temperature, then it needs to be thrown out.

Remember that this is a rough estimate and that some foods have more of an “acceptable” range than others. For example, you can keep cooked meat in your fridge for up to three days while raw chicken can only stay cold for one day before going bad. This rule is not meant to be followed religiously, but rather as a guideline.

When your food is at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4C), you can keep it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. If your food is at room temperature (between 60 and 140F) then it has to stay out of the fridge for no more than four hours. No matter what, you should always properly refrigerate any leftover food immediately after serving it to your guests or family members.

What is the one hour rule?

The USDA has guidelines for how long you can keep cooked meat out of the fridge, but no such rules exist for raw meat. Here are their guidelines for cooked foods:

All cooked meat dishes should be discarded if left at room temperature for more than one hour unless they are being served at a buffet or picnic.

If you’re serving the dish within one hour then it’s fine to leave it out on the counter. Keep in mind that different types of meat have different safe internal temperatures, so refer to our guide above. For example, the chicken should only be left out for an hour when it falls below 165F, while pork can stay out for up to three hours if it’s at 140F or higher.

Final Verdict

If the temperature is between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit (4 to 60C) then you can keep your food in this safe zone for four hours. If it falls below 40F, then you have two hours to enjoy your meal before it needs to be refrigerated.

Meanwhile, you can also read: How to Defrost Bacon?

Don’t forget to check the internal temperature when cooking with a thermometer! You can always throw out your meal if you’re in doubt, but that kind of waste is the reason why people want firm guidelines in place.

Remember that these guidelines are only suggestions to help reduce food waste. For more thorough information regarding refrigeration, safety, or food storage, please refer to the USDA’s Food Safety & Inspection Service website.