How Long Can Raw Chicken Hang in the Fridge?

Life can get in the way, leaving us to purchase raw chicken with an expiry date several days away – only for it to end up sitting in our fridges for some time before being used!

How long should raw chicken stay in the fridge before it becomes unsafe to consume? Use these guidelines as a guideline for how long raw poultry should remain unrefrigerated in your fridge.

Temperature

Raw chicken may stay safe to consume in the fridge for several days after its sell-by date, depending on temperature and storage methods. In order to stay safe for consumption, bacteria can form on meat as it spoils, which could make people sick. Therefore, any chicken which has gone bad should be thrown out even if its “best used by” date hasn’t come.

How long a piece of raw chicken lasts in the refrigerator depends on its temperature, storage method and overall conditions in the fridge. Ideally, raw meat should be placed in an airtight container located in the coldest section of your fridge to prevent exposure to air or moisture that could potentially encourage the growth of harmful bacteria. It must also be large enough so any juices produced from its storage do not come into contact with other foods that might contaminate them in any way.

Raw chicken should stay fresh for three days in the refrigerator when stored at temperatures under 40 degrees Fahrenheit and stored in an airtight container, and regular cleaning of your refrigerator to prevent mold growth is also important to keeping its quality.

An important consideration in evaluating raw chicken is its odor. A piece that has begun to spoil will have an offensive, rancid fishy scent. Sometimes rotten poultry also emits an offensive sulfuric aroma similar to eggs or ammonia.

Frozen chicken after its sell-by date can still be used, provided it has been handled and frozen correctly. Plastic wrap or foil should be used before placing in the freezer to protect from freezer burn and contamination; and should be eaten within four months of being frozen for optimal quality.

Moisture

Your chicken in your refrigerator has begun to smell off-putting, yet you still plan on cooking it soon for dinner. Due to food poisoning risks, it’s crucial that you know how to detect when raw chicken has gone bad in the fridge.

Refrigerator temperatures don’t determine how long a piece of poultry will remain fresh; location and storage methods do. It is best to store raw chicken in its sealed package in the coldest area of your fridge and use within one or two days; that way it should still be safe to consume after being cooked to an adequate temperature to kill bacteria.

But if left in the fridge too long, bacteria will begin to multiply and cause the meat to go bad. To prevent this from happening, any chicken which has been sitting in your fridge for more than seven days should be discarded immediately.

Examining its color and texture is another effective way of telling if chicken has gone bad, with fresh unspoiled raw chicken appearing shiny with a silky smooth texture, while moldy or slimy versions might even have dull or slimy surfaces that give away its fate. If any of these signs apply, it would be prudent to dispose of it and purchase new from your grocery store instead.

Refrigerating raw meats like chicken will extend their shelf life by slowing the rate at which bacteria multiply. Dehydration can also help extend their shelf life; this process removes all moisture from the meat, making it less susceptible to spoiling in the refrigerator. Electric dehydrators are easy to use and are widely available at hardware stores – these dehydrator models can even be used on vegetables and fruits! Additionally, using separate chopping boards and knives for raw and cooked food storage helps avoid cross-contamination when your chicken is stored in the fridge!

Bacteria

Raw chicken may contain bacteria that cause food poisoning, especially in warm environments where it sits out for extended periods. Even though it may still be edible, it is wiser to err on the side of caution and discard your poultry if its sell-by date has passed or it was left out longer than recommended.

Maintaining an organized refrigerator, storing poultry in an airtight container and disinfecting any surfaces it comes into contact with can all reduce bacteria build-up in your poultry and extend its shelf life without contaminating other foods in the fridge.

Once in the fridge, your chicken should either be eaten within several days or frozen within its expiry date and intended use. Bacteria grows more slowly in temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit so if your refrigerator remains below this temperature it can stay fresh up to three days longer before starting to spoil.

As soon as you open your refrigerator to inspect your chicken, take note of any signs of spoilage. While slight discoloration might be expected, noticeable darkening, green, grey, or white patches, or tacky textures should all indicate spoilage and should be thrown out immediately. Also keep an eye out for sticky textures – they could already be on their way towards being spoilt!

If your refrigerator emits an offensive, rancid odor, this could be another telltale sign that the chicken has gone bad. Any meat with such an overwhelming stench should be thrown out – particularly if there’s any fishy, moldy or otherwise unpleasant aroma emanating from it.

Cross-Contamination

When storing raw chicken in the fridge, it is essential that it is kept separate from other food products in order to prevent contamination with harmful bacteria and its subsequent spread. Furthermore, an airtight container would ensure freshness for extended periods.

When purchasing chicken at the supermarket, it is essential to read labels carefully. The sell-by dates provide crucial information regarding how long its contents will remain fresh in your fridge; for optimal results, look for poultry with low sell-by dates as this indicates more freshness in its components.

Before purchasing chicken, it’s wise to check it for any off-odor or sliminess before placing your order. If unsure, ask a meat counter clerk to test it first.

The longevity of raw chicken in your refrigerator depends on several factors, including temperature, moisture levels and bacteria levels. Although its expiration date has passed on its packaging, it should still be safe for consumption provided it was stored properly within your fridge and cooked thoroughly prior to being eaten.

Keep track of when and where you purchased your chicken to help plan meals and cook the meat appropriately. If unsure of how long to store the poultry, discard after its recommended shelf-life has expired and purchase new meat. Although contaminated poultry may taste fine at first, it could contain harmful bacteria which may make you sick over time; using your freezer as storage is one way of prolonging its safety for longer.