How Long Does Raw Steak Last in the Refrigerator?

We did a five day shelf life test in the refrigerator.

The two test subjects were a:

1. Steak bought from the butcher counter wrapped in plastic and then sealed with butcher paper and a rubber band
2. A Pre® vacuum sealed steak

Each went into the refrigerator for 5 days. Watch to see what we discovered and why we choose to keep our beef vacuum sealed. 

Raw steak can last anywhere from 2 days to two weeks in your refrigerator. It all depends on how it is packaged. 

From the butcher counter, steaks may be wrapped in plastic wrap, then butcher paper and a rubber band or tape to seal. Often these steaks have been sitting in the meat case exposed to oxygen throughout the day. 

The presence of oxygen results in a bright red color in beef.The reason why beef at the meat counter is usually bright red instead of a deep red or purple is because it is in constant contact with oxygen. 

Next to your grocery store’s butcher counter is the pre-packaged meat section. Here you’ll find meat that is vacuum sealed. When a steak is vacuum sealed, oxygen is removed which is why it is not bright red but a deep red or purple.The seal keeps oxygen out of the package. Less contact with oxygen equals longer shelf life. 

Our beef at Pre® is vacuum sealed. We chose to vacuum seal our meat to preserve freshness for our consumers. The cardboard backing on our packaging is 100% recyclable and the film we use is free of synthetic chemicals. In addition, we never use nitrate film to enhance meat color or gasses to extend shelf life – vacuum sealing works just fine.