then how soon after cooking it must you eat it
Buying and storing tips: Ground beef should have a bright red color and be free of gray or brown patchesBeef normally has a purple-red color but takes on a cherry-red hue, known as the “bloom,” when exposed to oxygenWhile the exterior is bright red, the interior of the meat retains the darker colorVacuum-packed beef also shows this purplish colorWith lengthy exposure to oxygen, ground beef will turn brownThis is a sign that the beef is no longer fresh and needs to be used immediatelyCheck the label for fat content and the “sell-by” dateThe label may also tell you which part of the animal the hamburger comes from, for instance, the round or chuckFor the leanest possible beef, buy a lean cut of meat and ask your butcher to trim the fat and grind it for youStore ground beef in its original packaging in the coldest part of the refrigerator, where it will keep for 1 to 2 daysIt may be frozen in this packaging for up to two weeksFor longer freezing, wrap the meat in heavy-duty aluminum foil, freezer paper, or freezer bagsGround beef will keep 3 to 4 months in the freezerDefrost it in the refrigerator, allowing 12 hours for thick hamburgersCook as soon as possible after defrosting.
