Shelf Life Tips
- How long does a can of corned beef last once opened? The precise answer depends to a large extent on storage conditions - keep opened corned beef refrigerated and tightly covered.
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To maximize the shelf life of canned corned beef after opening, refrigerate in a covered glass or plastic container.
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How long does opened canned corned beef last in the refrigerator? Corned beef that has been continuously refrigerated will keep for about 3 to 4 days.
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Is canned corned beef safe to use after the "expiration" date on the package? Yes, provided it has been stored properly, the package is undamaged, and there are no signs of spoilage (see below) - commercially packaged corned beef will typically carry a "Best By," "Best if Used By," "Best Before", or "Best When Used By" date but this is not a safety date, it is the manufacturer's estimate of how long the corned beef will remain at peak quality.
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To further extend the shelf life of opened canned corned beef, freeze it: to freeze canned corned beef, place inside covered airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags.
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How long does canned corned beef last in the freezer? Properly stored, it will maintain best quality for about 3 months, but will remain safe beyond that time.
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The freezer time shown is for best quality only – canned corned beef that has been kept constantly frozen at 0°F will keep safe indefinitely.
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How long does canned corned beef last after being frozen and thawed? Canned corned beef that has been defrosted in the fridge can be kept for an additional 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator before using; corned beef that was thawed in the microwave or in cold water should be used immediately.
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How can you tell if opened canned corned beef is bad or spoiled? The best way is to smell and look at the corned beef: if the corned beef develops an off odor, flavor or appearance, or if mold appears, it should be discarded.
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Discard all corned beef from cans or packages that are leaking, rusting, bulging or severely dented.
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Sources: For details about data sources used for food storage information, please click here
