We have all been there. You open the fridge to start dinner, pull out the package of poultry, and your heart sinks. The date on the label was yesterday. Now you are facing the ultimate kitchen dilemma: Do you cook it, or do you toss it?
Understanding the chicken sell by date is crucial for both your health and your grocery budget. Throwing away good food is wasteful, but cooking spoiled meat risks serious foodborne illness.
This guide will cut through the confusion. We will explain exactly what the dates on the package mean, how to use your senses to check for freshness, and the safety rules you need to follow to keep your family safe.
Table of Contents
Decoding the Label: Sell By vs. Use By vs. Best By
Before we decide the fate of your dinner, it is important to understand that not all dates mean the same thing. The USDA states that federal regulations do not actually require date labeling on food (except for infant formula). However, manufacturers use them to convey quality and freshness.
Here is the breakdown of the terminology:
- Sell By Date: This date is for the grocery store, not for you. It tells the retailer how long to display the product for sale. You can still safely buy and consume a product after the chicken sell by date, provided it has been stored correctly.
- Use By Date: This is the date recommended for the use of the product while at peak quality. It is not a safety date, but it is the closest indicator to it.
- Best if Used By/Before: This indicates when a product will be of the best flavor or quality. It is not a purchase or safety date.
The Bottom Line: The chicken sell by date is an inventory tool. It is not a hard deadline for when the meat suddenly becomes toxic.
Can You Cook Chicken After the Sell By Date?
The short answer is: Yes, usually.
If you bought chicken before the sell-by date expired and immediately put it in a refrigerator set to 40°F (4°C) or below, the USDA guidelines suggest the following timeline:
- Raw Chicken: It is safe to keep in the fridge for 1 to 2 days after the chicken sell by date.
- Cooked Chicken: If you cook the bird, it will last an additional 3 to 4 days in the fridge.
However, the calendar is just one tool. The “1 to 2 days” rule assumes the chicken was handled perfectly during transport and at the grocery store. Because you cannot verify the “cold chain” before you bought it, you must rely on sensory checks.
The Sensory Check: How to Tell if Chicken Has Gone Bad?
Do not rely solely on the printed date. Your eyes, nose, and fingers are better tools for detecting spoilage bacteria. Even if the chicken sell by date is still in the future, if the meat fails these tests, throw it out.
1. The Smell Test
Fresh raw chicken has a very mild odor or no smell at all. If you open the package and are hit with a potent, sour, or sulfur-like smell (similar to rotten eggs), the chicken has gone bad. If you have to sniff hard to decide, it might be okay. If the smell makes you recoil, toss it.
2. The Touch Test (Texture)
Fresh raw poultry should feel moist and slightly slick.
- Warning Sign: If the chicken feels slimy, sticky, or tacky to the touch.
- Why it happens: This slime is a byproduct of bacterial growth. Do not try to wash the slime off; washing chicken only spreads bacteria around your sink and counters (a process called aerosolization).
3. The Visual Test (Color)
Fresh raw chicken usually has a light pink or fleshy color.
- Warning Sign: Look for color changes. If the meat has turned dull gray, greenish, or yellow, it is spoiling.
- Note on Fat: The fat should be white or yellow. If the fat looks darkened or grayish, it is time to discard the meat.
Freezing Chicken: Extending the Shelf Life
If you bring home a bulk pack of poultry and realize you cannot eat it all before the chicken sell by date, the freezer is your best friend.
Freezing food pauses the clock. Bacteria cannot grow at 0°F (-18°C). If you freeze chicken by the sell-by date, it will remain safe indefinitely, though quality will degrade over time.
How Long Does Frozen Chicken Last?
For the best taste and texture (avoiding freezer burn), follow these timeframes:
- Whole Chicken: Up to 1 year.
- Chicken Parts (Breasts, Thighs, Wings): 9 months.
- Ground Chicken: 3 to 4 months.
Pro Tip: Label your freezer bags with the date you froze them. You might think you will remember when you bought those chicken breasts, but three months later, you won’t.
Safety First: Handling and Cooking Guidelines
Whether your chicken is fresh off the shelf or a day past the chicken sell by date, safe handling is non-negotiable to prevent Salmonella and Campylobacter.
Prevent Cross-Contamination
Never let raw juices drip onto other foods. Use a separate cutting board for raw meat and another for produce. Wash your hands with warm, soapy water for 20 seconds before and after handling the meat.
Cook to the Right Temperature
The only way to kill bacteria is heat. You cannot judge “doneness” by color alone.
- You must cook all poultry to a minimum internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Use a digital meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat to verify.
Conclusion:
Navigating the chicken sell by date doesn’t have to be a guessing game. Remember that the date is primarily for the store’s inventory control. As a consumer, your focus should be on the “1 to 2 Day Rule” and trusting your senses.
If the chicken looks pink, smells neutral, and isn’t slimy, it is generally safe to cook within two days of the sell-by date. If you can’t cook it in time, freeze it immediately to lock in freshness. When it comes to food safety, it is always better to be cautious if the meat seems off, do not risk your health for the sake of a few dollars.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is chicken okay 3 days after the sell-by date?
It is risky. The general rule is 1 to 2 days past the chicken sell by date. By day 3, the likelihood of spoilage bacteria taking over increases significantly. Perform a rigorous smell and texture check. If in doubt, throw it out.
What happens if I eat chicken past the sell-by date?
If the chicken was stored correctly and passes the smell/texture test, nothing bad will happen. However, if the chicken has spoiled, eating it can lead to food poisoning, causing symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever.
Can I freeze chicken that smells a little off?
No. Freezing puts bacteria to sleep; it does not kill them. If you freeze spoiled chicken, it will still be spoiled when you thaw it. Only freeze meat that looks and smells fresh.
Does the sell-by date apply to cooked chicken?
No. Once you cook the chicken, the “sell by” date becomes irrelevant. Cooked chicken is safe in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days, regardless of what the original package date said.
