Korean Beef

If you've picked up some fresh Korean Beef from the grocery store, it is usually best to use or freeze it within 2 to 3 days of purchasing. Unopened, pre-packaged Korean Beef products can last up to 2 weeks if refrigerated, but always check the 'best before' date on the package. Once opened, consume within 3 to 4 days. If you've got some leftover Korean Beef stews, curries or other homemade dishes, they are safe for about 3 to 4 days in the fridge, beyond that, it's best to freeze these dishes. Frozen Korean beef in its raw state can last up to one year without significant degradation. For cooked dishes containing Korean Beef, aim to use them within two to three months.

Check the Korean Beef for any off odors, it should not smell sour, rotten or very strong. The colour can also tell you a lot. While fresh beef can be slightly brown due to a lack of exposure to oxygen, if it turns a grayish hue, it's time to throw it away. Any sliminess or stickiness to the touch is also a bad sign. The same applies to cooked Korean beef dishes — if they have an unusual smell or a change in texture, it might have gone bad.

• Always store Korean Beef in the fridge or freezer, never at room temperature. • Fresh beef should be kept in its original packaging until you are ready to use it. If it’s been opened, rewrap tightly in foil, plastic wrap or a plastic bag. • If freezing beef, make sure it’s wrapped properly or placed in sealed containers to prevent freezer burn. • To defrost Korean Beef, it's safest to let it thaw slowly in the fridge. • Marrinating korean beef? Keep it in the fridge and use it within two days. • If you have leftovers of Korean Beef dishes, transfer them into smaller containers before refrigerating, this way they will cool down quicker and bacteria will have less chance to spread. • Date your frozen beef! It’s easy to lose track of when you’ve popped something in the freezer, a quick label will help remind you.