Will It Last Until The Expiration Date After I Open It?

[afrank_57]

I bought six pounds of Beef Brisket, "Hickory Smoked for over 14 hours." The package says it expires November 6, 2019.

Someone said that the expiration date will apply only if it is unopened and that it will not last long after it is opened. I will supposedly have to freeze it after I open it.

I bought six pounds because the expiration date is three months away, which gives me plenty of time to eat all six pounds.

Will I have to freeze it after I open it, or can I just keep it refrigerated while I slowly eat it over the next three months?

Thanks

 

[Cj7851]

I wouldn't eat something that had been in the fridge for 3 months that's for sure. That's just asking for bacteria and mold growth. I would say its gonna need frozen.

 

[JckDanls 07]

I would have to say once it's opened (is it vacuum sealed/cryovaced) and exposed to the elements... it's not long for this world after that ... see what the experts (not me) say ...

 

[chilerelleno]

3 Months?
Damn, what they'd do to this brisket?
Even cured, smoked, preservatives added, cryovac'd, cooked some more and then finally refrigerated.
Figure the time to butcher, process and ship, dang.
Irradiated food, its good for you and you glow too.
J/K
You open it, you eat it within a week.
That or portion it out and freeze the portions.

 

[johnmeyer]

I really do wonder about that expiration date for meat that is merely refrigerated. Chillerelleno may be right when he implies it was irradiated.

Since any sterilization, whether by radiation or some other method, will be gone as soon as you open it, I too would recommend not trying to keep it in the fridge until November.

However, if you have a vacuum machine, I have been able to keep fresh meat in the fridge section, without freezing, for many weeks (2-4). If you have the vacuum machine, but don't expect to use it all within that timeframe, I'd most definitely freeze it. I freeze meat all the time, including steaks, and the flavor and texture loss seems pretty minimal to me. Once in a vacuum pack and in a really good freezer (-10° F, without much variation), it can last for years. We just found some chicken in our built-in fridge (two compressors) that was from April 2017, and it tasted absolutely great, with zero freezer burn.

Vacuum packing is an amazing invention.

 

[chef jimmyj]

Once opened the Clock starts ticking. You have 3 days to get it cooked. Then 5 days to Eat It All or freeze leftovers. I suggest individual portions that you will eat in one meal...JJ

 

[HalfSmoked]

What would you like us to send to the farewell party. All ways be safe if in doubt throw it out.

Warren

 

[johnmeyer]

I doubt that meat which has always been refrigerated is going to make you sick. I regularly eat sausage, ham, hot dogs, leftovers, and raw meat (steaks) that have not been frozen and have been in the fridge for well over a month (up to two months for the ham). They are all vacuum-packed.

The real issue with these is the taste. If it tastes off or smells bad, I obviously won't eat it. Fortunately, with vacuum packaging and a good refrigerator, I haven't had to throw out any meat for years.

Now food that has been brought up to room temperature at some point is a different thing, and you need to be more careful with that.

Knock on wood, but I've never gotten sick from eating my own food, and the only two times I have had any sickness from food was from seafood: raw oysters on one occasion and fried food from a dockside vendor back in the 60s, before such places were monitored very carefully.