How to store cooked steak in fridge

How to store cooked steak in fridge

Photo by Jon Gales licensed under CC BY 2.0

It’s probably not often that you find yourself unable to finish that ribeye you cooked. But there might be the occasional time you go a little overboard and prepare more than the family can eat. With the price of steaks, the last thing you want is to have to throw the leftovers away.

That’s why we came up with this handy guide for saving steak leftovers and keeping them as fresh as possible until the next time you’re ready to enjoy them.

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  • How to Store Leftover Steak in the Fridge
    • How Long is Steak Safe to Keep in the Refrigerator?
  • Reheating Leftover Steak
  • Conclusion: Saving Steak Leftovers the Right Way
    • Related posts:

How to Store Leftover Steak in the Fridge

Storing meat the right way will make the difference between tender beef when reheated and meat that has the consistency of a hockey puck. The trick is to make sure you’re retaining as much of the natural juices of the steaks as possible, which will help to maintain both the texture and flavor of the beef. You also want to keep air away from the steaks, which can dry them out.

Using the right wrapping techniques can help you keep the integrity of your meat intact. Your best bet is to use a vacuum sealer to keep juices locked in and air out. However, these machines can be expensive. An alternative method is to wrap the steak leftovers in freezer paper, which is a thick, coated plastic paper that can lock in moisture and keep air away.

Wrap each piece of meat individually and tightly. Then, place them in a heavy-duty freezer bag in one layer. Lay the bag on a flat surface and zip the bag until only a small opening remains. Use your hands to squeeze out as much air as possible before zipping it closed.

The meat should lay flat in one layer on a refrigerator shelf with plenty of room around them for air to circulate and keep them cold. Also, keep your steaks on the bottom shelf to prevent any juices from potentially seeping out and contaminating other foods.

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How Long is Steak Safe to Keep in the Refrigerator?

Some people use the sight and smell test to decide whether their leftovers are safe to eat. However, you can’t trust your eyes and nose only when it comes to steak leftovers. Although most foods appear to be just fine for up to a week in the refrigerator, that doesn’t mean that they’re safe to eat.

Generally, leftover steaks are safe in the fridge for about three days, given that you used the right techniques to store them. If you don’t think you’ll eat them in that amount of time, you can always place them in the freezer instead.

Reheating Leftover Steak

Although the microwave is the preferred method when it comes to reheating steak, it’s definitely one you should stay away from if possible. The microwave can dry out your beef, making it taste and feel different than it did the first time around.

As always, Steak University is here to help you out. Check out this in-depth guide for reheating steak so you can enjoy yours just as much the second time.

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Conclusion: Saving Steak Leftovers the Right Way

At Chicago Steak Company, we’re dedicated to making sure the beef you order stays as fresh as possible from our facility to your home. We also want to make sure that you can enjoy your steaks to their full potential, which is why we offer invaluable resources through Steak University to help you learn proper cooking, storing, freezing, and other methods to create the perfect beef dinner every time. Enjoy!

BEEF STEAK, ALL CUTS (INCLUDING CHUCK, SIRLOIN, FLANK, RIB EYE, STRIP, TENDERLOIN, ROUND, SHOULDER, PORTERHOUSE, T-BONE, FILET MIGNON ) - COOKED

Shelf Life Tips

  • How long does cooked steak last in the fridge or freezer? The precise answer to that question depends to a large extent on storage conditions - refrigerate steak within two hours of cooking.
  • To maximize the shelf life of cooked steak for safety and quality, refrigerate the steak in shallow airtight containers or wrap tightly with heavy-duty aluminum foil or plastic wrap.
  • Properly stored, cooked steak will last for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator.
  • To further extend the shelf life of cooked steak, freeze it; freeze in covered airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, or wrap tightly with heavy-duty aluminum foil or freezer wrap.
  • How long does cooked steak last in the freezer? Properly stored, it will maintain best quality for about 2 to 3 months, but will remain safe beyond that time.
  • The freezer time shown is for best quality only - cooked steak that has been kept constantly frozen at 0°F will keep safe indefinitely.
  • How long does cooked steak last after being frozen and thawed? Cooked steak that has been thawed in the fridge can be kept for an additional 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator before cooking; steak that was thawed in the microwave or in cold water should be eaten immediately.
  • How long does cooked steak last at room temperature? Bacteria grow rapidly at temperatures between 40 °F and 140 °F; cooked steak should be discarded if left for more than 2 hours at room temperature.
  • How to tell if cooked steak is bad? The best way is to smell and look at the steak: signs of bad steak are a sour smell and a slimy texture; discard any steak with an off smell or appearance, do not taste first.

About Our Authors

Sources: For details about data sources used for food storage information, please click here

Today's Tips

How to store cooked steak in fridge

How to store cooked steak in fridge

Can you keep cooked steak in the fridge?

Leftover steak is safe to eat after three to four days in the refrigerator—any longer and you could catch a foodborne illness from bacteria growth. Bacteria can also grow on perishable food that has been left out at room temperature for over two hours or kept at a temperature lower than 40°F.

How do you store cooked and reheat steak?

Start by placing your leftover steak in a sealable freezer bag with a small pat of salted butter. Squeeze out as much air as possible and allow the steak to come to room temperature, about 20-30 minutes. Once the refrigerator's chill is off the steak, the less time it will take for the beef to reheat.

How long can you keep cooked steak in fridge?

USDA recommends using cooked beef within 3 to 4 days, kept refrigerated (40°F or less). Refrigeration slows but does not stop bacterial growth.

Can you refrigerate and reheat steak?

Don't reheat straight from the fridge. Heating cold meat takes longer and makes it easier to overcook. "The best thing you can do is allow your leftover steak to come up to room temperature before reheating it. This will allow it to reheat quicker and more evenly," says Calderas.