If you have bought some Impossible Meat, you might be wondering about the storage of it and how to ensure it doesn’t go bad. It’s important to know how to store plant-based products as well as meat-based products, and if you’ve got some Impossible Meat in the fridge, you should understand how long it will last.
How long does Impossible Meat last in the fridge? Opened Impossible Meat should last for about three days in the fridge, or to the “best by” date printed on the packaging. This assumes that the meat is stored correctly in the fridge, and is not left at room temperature for long periods. Sealed Impossible Meat should last for about ten days.
Do You Have to Keep Impossible Meat in the Fridge?
Yes, Impossible Meat needs to be kept chilled, so it should be stored in the fridge or the freezer. Do not leave it at room temperature; it will quickly start to harbor bacteria and may become unsafe to eat within a few hours.
Storing Impossible Meat correctly will ensure that it lasts well and tastes as good as possible. If you let Impossible Meat get too warm, it may not be safe to eat later. Because bacteria spreads far more quickly when food is left above 40 degrees F, refrigeration is crucial.
Although Impossible Meat is less likely to harbor bacteria than true meat, it’s still important to store it correctly and minimize any risks. That means following food safety standards, and keeping it cool.
What Happens When You Open Impossible Meat?
Like many foods, Impossible Meat will start to degrade more quickly once the packaging has been opened. You should aim to use it before three days have passed once the seal is broken and the Impossible Meat has been exposed to air.
You may wish to transfer the Impossible Meat to a sealable container, but make sure you keep the “best by” date if you do this. You need to know when the Impossible Meat should be used by. Keep track of how long the food has been stored for, and use either the “best by” date or the three day rule (whichever is shorter).
Does Sealed Impossible Meat Last Longer?
Yes, the Impossible Meat will last longer if you don’t break the packet’s seal. This seal helps to reduce the airflow, minimizing oxidization and making it more difficult for bacteria to enter the food.
The seal will not prevent the Impossible Meat from ever going bad, but it will make it last far better. It should last for up to ten days before you open the packet, as long as you also keep it cool and minimize the airflow.
Transferring the Impossible Meat to an airtight container once you have broken the seal may help it to last better. However, you should not push the three day limit too much.
Can You Freeze Impossible Meat?
Yes, it’s safe to freeze Impossible Meat, and some varieties are sold frozen. If you are going to do this, do not leave the Impossible Meat in the fridge for days first; get it into the freezer promptly instead.
Once frozen, Impossible Meat should stay fresh for months, and will remain edible for a long time. However, the quality may deteriorate and it’s a good idea to use it up reasonably quickly. Don’t keep it in the freezer for longer than a few months.
Thaw Impossible Meat in the fridge when you are ready to use it up, rather than on the counter at room temperature.
What’s the Difference Between the Expiry Date and the Best Before Date?
You may see both an expiry date and a best before date on the package of the Impossible Meat. This can be confusing. The “best before” date tells you how long you have before the product’s general quality has started to decline. After this date, the Impossible Meat may not have such good taste or texture. The expiry date refers to food safety and should not be ignored.
Use these two dates to ensure that you are not eating dangerous food. A best before date is fairly unimportant, and most food is safe after this date has passed. By contrast, expiry dates should be respected because they relate to the actual safety of the food.
The only instance in which you should ignore expiry dates is if you have frozen the food. Freezing essentially stops the degradation process, so the expiry date becomes irrelevant.
In general, the expiry date will be ten days, so you have over a week to use up the Impossible Meat. Some people say that it lasts noticeably longer than this, but it is best to be cautious and not keep it for too long.
Even if you stick to the ten day estimate, Impossible Meat keeps for considerably longer than most true meat products. This makes Impossible Meat more versatile than many meat alternatives, which adds to its appeal even for non-vegetarians.
Does Impossible Meat Go Bad?
Yes, Impossible Meat does go bad. It contains perishable ingredients, and these will slowly degrade. Bacteria will grow in the food, even if it is stored in the fridge, and it may become dangerous to eat.
Consuming Impossible Meat that has gone bad may result in food poisoning, so be careful. You might experience vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, flu-like symptoms, and possibly even hospitalization in serious cases.
You can tell if Impossible Meat has gone bad because it will take on a rancid smell. It’s important to note that plant-based meats can smell odd even when they are fresh, but you should still pay attention to any changes in the scent.
If in doubt, it is best to throw the Impossible Meat away. If it has been left at room temperature or stored in the fridge for too long, it won’t be safe for you to eat it anymore, and doing so could make you sick.
Final Thoughts
Impossible Meat will last for around ten days in the fridge before the seal has been broken, and then three days afterward. Use the best before dates and expiry dates to guide you, and freeze Impossible Meat if you are not going to use it up quickly enough.