How long does vacuum sealed raw chicken last in the refrigerator

Raw chicken: You'll need to either cook or freeze it fast. According to recommendations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, raw chicken will only keep in the refrigerator for about 1-2 days. (Same goes for turkey and other poultry.) If you store it in the freezer in a sealed, freezer-safe container or vacuum-sealed package, it should stay safe to thaw and eat for up to 9 months, in pieces, or up to 12 months, for a whole chicken. 

Cooked chicken: You have a little more time, but not much. According to recommendations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, cooked chicken will keep in the refrigerator for about 3-4 days. (Same goes for turkey and other poultry.) If you store cooked chicken in the freezer in a sealed, freezer-safe container or vacuum-sealed package, it can stay safe to thaw and eat for up to 4 months.

How to tell if chicken is bad -- whether it's cooked or raw

There are a few ways to make sure the chicken you've thrown in the fridge has gone bad or not. The tests for raw vs. cooked chicken are similar, but not the same. Here's a couple of handy acronyms by yours truly to help you remember: the SPOT© test and the SMOT© test. (Catchy, I know!)

For raw chicken, SPOT it...

• Smell: Does it reek? The odor of rotten chicken is distinct and pungent. If the chicken has not gone bad, it should just smell like chicken and not give off a strong, repellent smell. 
• Package: If it's still sealed in the package, check the "best by" date. If you've blown past that and it's been in the fridge for a week, it's probably not safe. 
• Observe: The color of fresh chicken is a pale pink. If it's turned gray, it is probably not safe.
• Touch: Chicken shouldn't have a slimy, snotty texture. If it feels anything like mucus, throw it out.

For cooked chicken, SMOT it...

• Smell: Same as the raw chicken test, but be wary of spices that might mask the odor of bad chicken. If it's past its point, it will probably smell like rotten eggs. 
• Mold: This you should notice immediately. No part of your chicken should be growing black or green fuzz.
• Observe: Again, color matters. Cooked chicken should look white underneath, so if it looks gray or discolored, it's not safe.
• Taste: Obviously no one wants to eat bad chicken, but if all the other tests fail, and you're really unsure, try a small bite of it. You'll know immediately if it doesn't taste good, at which point you should spit it out and chuck it.

Always remember -- no matter how delicious a cooked dish was when it was freshly made -- if its gone bad, it will probably get you sick. Be merciless. When in doubt, throw it out.

Eric Vilas-Boas is a writer and editor at Thrillist constantly asking himself questions like these. Follow him @e_vb_.

The best way to keep chicken fresh is to vacuum seal it. When you vacuum seal, you get rid of the air, and most bacteria need air to grow.

But how long can the chicken in the vacuum seat stay there? In this blog, we’ll answer this question and talk about what affects a vacuum-sealed chicken’s shelf life.

Keep reading!

Normal temperature storage gives a vacuum-sealed chicken in the pantry a normal shelf life of three to four months. If you put it in the freezer, it will last for about eight months. If you put the vacuum-sealed chicken in the fridge, it will usually last for six to eight weeks.

How Long is Vacuum Sealed Chicken Good For?

Meat, including chicken, goes bad quickly, so when you vacuum-seal it, you stop air from getting to it and help it last longer.

You may already know that air has oxygen and water in it, which can sometimes make it warm enough for bacteria to grow if you don’t take some precautions.

But when we vacuum-seal the chicken, we cut off the connection between the air and the chicken.

This makes it less likely that bacteria will quickly grow and spoil the chicken.

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And the meat stays fresh for a long time. However, some things can affect how long a vacuum-sealed chicken will last.

1. The Storage Method

The longevity of chicken that has been vacuum-sealed will vary depending on how the chicken is stored.

The Room Temperature

At room temperature, a vacuum-sealed chicken can only last for two to four hours, depending on how hot it is and other things.

Bacteria will grow faster if the temperature is high, and it will slow down if the temperature is low.

Remember that bacteria will still grow, but slower, even after vacuuming the package.

It doesn’t need much to grow, and room temperature is much more than it needs.

Tip: You should never let a chicken that has been vacuum-sealed sit out at room temperature.

Refrigerate

One of the best ways to make your vacuum-sealed chicken last longer is to put it in the fridge.

It gives you at least three to ten days before the chicken goes bad.

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Refrigeration is the best way to store the vacuum-sealed chicken for a short time.

Freezing

In general, freezing your vacuum-sealed chicken is the best way to keep all kinds of food the longest.

Depending on the chicken’s size, you have at least 8 months to eat it. When a chicken is cut into pieces, it won’t last as long as it’s still whole.

Freezing is the best way to store a vacuum-sealed chicken for a long time.

2. Marinade Ingredients

A cooked, vacuum-sealed chicken marinated with pineapple juice, vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, and other ingredients can only last 24 hours, and usually less.

Anything acidic will break down quickly, shortening how long your marinated chicken will last.

But you can add some oils to your mix to make it last a little longer.

Raw vacuumed sealed chicken that has been marinated for up to 36 hours can be put in a dehydrator to make chicken jerky.

But don’t let it sit that long if you want to use it to make a regular meal.

Note: The average shelf life of a marinated chicken is 24 hours, but it can last as little as 30 minutes or as long as a week.

3. Sanitation and Hygiene

Hygiene during Vacuum sealing the chicken is important because germs develop quickly in a filthy environment.

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Also contaminated chicken may have its shelf life cut in half in only a few hours.

4. The Freshness of Meat

The freshness of the chicken when the vacuum seal was applied is another factor that determines how long the chicken will stay.

If the chicken is fresh, it will last for a longer period.

5. Defrost.

How long is thawed vacuum-sealed chicken good for? Most of the time, thawed chicken that has been vacuum-sealed can last for up to four days.

But if you want to keep the chicken for longer than two days, it’s best to cook it within those two days.

But chicken defrosted and vacuum-sealed can be kept in the fridge for 1-2 weeks.

If you prefer fresh-frozen chicken instead, you should cook it or freeze it within two days of buying it.

Tip: It is preferable to consume frozen Vacuum sealed chicken within six months to avoid spoilage and food illness.

Tips on How to Make a Vacuum-Sealed Chicken Last Longer

One of the best ways to ensure that you get the most out of your chicken is to vacuum seal it. This will help to keep it fresh for a longer period.

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The first tip:

Is to make sure that you store the chicken in a cool, dark place. This will help to keep it from spoiling as quickly.

Another tip:

Use a food-grade vacuum sealer. This will help keep the chicken fresh for a longer period. You should also consider using a vacuum-sealed bag that is designed for chicken.

Finally,

Make sure that you use fresh chicken when possible. This will help to keep the chicken from going bad as quickly.

Following these tips ensures that your vacuum-sealed chicken will last longer and maintains food quality and flavor, including texture, taste, and nutrients.

This is due to the fact that vacuum sealing is odor, stain, and taste-proof. They're also long-lasting and recyclable.

How Can You Tell If the Vacuumed Sealed Chicken has Gone Bad?

Here are several clear signs that your vacuum-sealed chicken has gone bad.

1. Smell

Rotten chicken has a strong and clear smell. If the chicken hasn’t gone bad, it should smell like chicken and not have a strong smell that turns people off.

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2. Check the “best by” date if it’s still sealed in the package

If you forgot and it’s been in the fridge for a week, you notice that fresh chicken is a pale pink color. Probably not safe if it’s turned gray.

3. Mold

This is something you should notice right away. Your chicken shouldn’t be getting black or green fuzz anywhere.

4. Taste

No one wants to eat bad chicken, but if all the other tests fail and you’re still unsure, take a small bite.

If it doesn't taste good, you'll know right away. At that point, you should spit it out and throw it away.

FAQs About How Long is Vacuum-Sealed Chicken Good For?

Do you have any other questions about how long vacuum-sealed chicken is good for? Please keep us informed.

Here are some of the most commonly asked questions.

Is It Necessary to Freeze the Chicken Before Vacuum Sealing It?

Because many germs that may damage both your food and your health grow at room temperature.

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It’s recommended to freeze your meats before vacuum sealing and keeping them in the freezer for a lengthy period.

Can Mold Develop in a Vacuum-Sealed Bag?

Vacuum-sealed bags lock all air out, preventing your garments from breathing properly.

Mold may form in the bags in some instances, particularly if you live in a region with a lot of moisture in the air.

Is It Possible that Vacuum Sealing Causes Botulism?

Botulism is more likely to occur in low-acid, wet foods that have been canned or vacuum-packed in an airless environment.

Final Verdict

How long is vacuum sealed chicken good for?

The vacuum-sealed chicken will last longer than regular chicken, but it still needs to be kept in the fridge and eaten within two weeks.

Raw chicken that has been vacuum-sealed usually only lasts three or four days, but cooked chicken should last up to fourteen days.

How long is vacuum sealed raw chicken good for in the fridge?

Is raw chicken okay in the fridge for 2 weeks?

Is raw chicken OK in the fridge for 5 days?

How long can you leave vacuum sealed raw meat in the fridge?