How long does steak last?

Checked 25 Oct 20267 official publishers, 7 sources

Raw: 3-5 days in the fridge and 4-12 months in the freezer for best quality.

Storage times for steak by state and place
StateCounter / pantryFridge 40 °FFreezer 0 °F
Raw 2 hours max CDC 3-5 days safety FDA FoodKeeper Extension Extension 4-12 months best quality FoodKeeper Extension Extension Sources disagree: 6-12 months FDAExtension
Times assume continuous refrigeration at 40 °F or below. When in doubt, throw it out. Freezer times are for quality: “Because freezing 0° F (-18° C) keeps food safe indefinitely, the following recommended storage times are for quality only.” FDA

Sources compared

SourceStateCounter / pantryFridgeFreezer
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018Raw-3-5 days4-12 months
Nebraska ExtensionRawNot recommended3-5 days4-12 months
FDA 2018Raw-3-5 days6-12 months
NDSU ExtensionRaw-3-5 days4-12 months
University of Illinois ExtensionRaw--6-12 months
CDC 2025Raw2 hours--

A dash means that source gives no time for that place.

Handling and freezing notes

  • “the meat can be cut into roasts, rolled roasts, steaks, chops, stew meat, ground meat, etc., before freezing.” Extension
  • “Check for holes in trays and plastic wrap of fresh meat. Rewrap if needed. For best quality, double wrap.” Extension

What the sources say

FoodKeeper gives raw beef steaks 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator and 4 to 12 months in the freezer.1

The FDA storage chart lists steaks under fresh beef, veal, lamb and pork with the same 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator, but a narrower 6 to 12 months in the freezer.31

The Nebraska Extension chart, which groups steaks with chops and roasts of beef, veal, lamb or pork, and the NDSU Extension food storage guide, which lists steaks among red meats, both match FoodKeeper: 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator and 4 to 12 months frozen.241

The University of Illinois Extension freezer chart sides with the FDA on 6 to 12 months for beef, lamb, pork or veal steaks, so the sources disagree on the lower end of the freezer range, 4 months or 6 months.53124

The Nebraska chart says its freezer times are for quality only, and the Illinois chart gives the recommended time for top quality at 0 °F.25

Nebraska Extension marks fresh steaks, chops and roasts as not safe at room temperature.2

The National Center for Home Food Preservation notes that meat can be cut into roasts, steaks, chops, stew meat or ground meat before freezing, depending on the number of servings and cooking methods you prefer.7

Before freezing fresh meat such as steak, University of Illinois Extension suggests checking trays and plastic wrap for holes, rewrapping if needed, and double wrapping for best quality.5

Rules that apply here

The 2-hour ruleFreezing and refreezingThawing safelyFridge and freezer temperature
Ground beefRaw chickenBacon

Sources

  1. USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 40: Beef, steaks. USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. Beef, steaks. DOP_Refrigerate: 3-5 Days; DOP_Freeze: 4-12 Months
  2. Home Food Storage | UNL Food | Nebraska. Nebraska Extension. No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. Fresh beef, veal, lamb or pork (steaks, chops or roasts) Not safe 3 to 5 days 4 to 12 months
  3. REFRIGERATOR & FREEZER STORAGE CHART. FDA. Dated 2018-03-01. Checked 2026-10-24. Steaks 3 - 5 days 6 - 12 months
  4. 1 • FN579 • Food Storage GuideNDSU Extension. NDSU Extension. No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-25. steaks 3 to 5 days 4 to 12 months
  5. Freezer Storage | Food Safety | Illinois Extension | Illinois. University of Illinois Extension. No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. Steaks: Beef, Lamb, Pork, or Veal 6 to 12 monthsCheck for holes in trays and plastic wrap of fresh meat. Rewrap if needed. For best quality, double wrap.
  6. Preventing Food Poisoning | Food Safety | CDC. CDC. Dated 2025-11-24. Checked 2026-10-24. Never leave perishable food out for more than 2 hours (or 1 hour if exposed to temperatures above 90°F).
  7. Freezing Meats - National Center for Home Food Preservation. National Center for Home Food Preservation (University of Georgia). No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-25. the meat can be cut into roasts, rolled roasts, steaks, chops, stew meat, ground meat, etc., before freezing.