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Original poster

To cook a chicken one day past use by date?

94 replies

MimosasInFrance · 24/12/2022 10:27

I'm cooking Christmas lunch tomorrow and my dad has kindly purchased the chicken (small family, turkey doesn't make sense). It's a reasonable expensive one from a local organic farm shop.

I've just seen the chicken had a use by date of today. Dad thinks it will be fine, won't entertain wasting money on a new one and I don't want to offend him. At the same time, I absolutely do not want food poisoning.

Any advice??? Considering secretly buying a new one and replacing it, but don't want to be wasteful if it's not needed.

OP posts:
Frosty1000 · 24/12/2022 10:29

I wouldn't but that's just me. Some people will say sniff it but I'd always be worried about it.

SherlocksDeerstalker · 24/12/2022 10:30

Just open it. if it smells, don’t cook it. If it doesn’t, cook it. The chicken doesn’t go bad at midnight! Dates are at best, a best guess, and at worst, an excuse for sensible people to waste resources, money, and the life of an animal (which sounds a bit much I know, but I can’t get over throwing the carcass of a creature in the bin!)

user1471464218 · 24/12/2022 10:30

Open it now and if it smells ok (after 30 min or so to let the wrapping smell dissipate) it'll be ok.
Supermarket chicken lasts longer than they say. Organic chicken can smell very strong when you initially open it but fine after a while.

Glassofwhatever · 24/12/2022 10:30

Of course it'll be fine dear God this sort of stuff does my head in completely

Wolfiefan · 24/12/2022 10:31

Not a chance. You can smell if it’s rotten but not everything that can give you serious food poisoning can be smelt on a raw chicken.

Margepettifer · 24/12/2022 10:31

Just get a new one OP! I never take any chances with meat or fish. Your Dad need never know.

Emmamoo89 · 24/12/2022 10:31

Just smell it. If smells okay be fine

Glassofwhatever · 24/12/2022 10:32

Frosty1000 · 24/12/2022 10:29

I wouldn't but that's just me. Some people will say sniff it but I'd always be worried about it.

Do you seriously think it just suddenly becomes completely poisonous from being fine just because of a very cautious date on the packaging? No wonder the planet is fucked

Winter2020 · 24/12/2022 10:32

You could cook it today, refridgerate and reheat tomorrow - or just have it for dinner today.

Dotjones · 24/12/2022 10:32

Cook it for an hour or so longer than you normally would, that'll kill off any extra bacteria that have formed now it's out of date. Generally out of date stuff is fine unless it's visibly decomposing or smells particularly bad.

shiningstar2 · 24/12/2022 10:32

I think you will be fine. When they put the use by date on they are being extra cautious. Cooked food day later is ok.

DelurkingAJ · 24/12/2022 10:33

You will be fine. Would you cook and eat it at 11pm tonight? What happens at midnight?!

Soozikinzii · 24/12/2022 10:33

Can't you cook it today ? Then if the gravy etc is nice and hot it'll be fine ?

Greenshake · 24/12/2022 10:34

On the other hand, how would you feel if you were a guest at someone’s house and they knowingly served you out of date poultry?

Imthegingerbreadwoman · 24/12/2022 10:34

If you are really worried about it. Cook it today. And then reheat tomorrow. But if it doesn't smell then it's fine. It doesn't spoil at the stroke of midnight. This is why there's so much food waste!

Original poster
MimosasInFrance · 24/12/2022 10:34

Winter2020 · 24/12/2022 10:32

You could cook it today, refridgerate and reheat tomorrow - or just have it for dinner today.

Actually this is a good idea! He'll raise an eyebrow and think I've gone mad but I can deal with that

OP posts:
Hollyhead · 24/12/2022 10:35

It will be fine, as long as it’s been well refrigerated and you cook it well.
I give chicken that’s been appropriately stored and cooked a 48 hour extension on the packaging date to no ill effects.

Gemmanorthdevon · 24/12/2022 10:39

Glassofwhatever · 24/12/2022 10:30

Of course it'll be fine dear God this sort of stuff does my head in completely

She is nervous and asking for advice, not, insults 🤷🏼‍♀️ You can get away with allsorts but responsible family cooks don't mess about with chicken or pork!

You can smell it flower, personally I would cook it today and be fine for tomorrow 🙂

Have a lovely Christmas.

tyipat · 24/12/2022 10:40

Winter2020 · 24/12/2022 10:32

You could cook it today, refridgerate and reheat tomorrow - or just have it for dinner today.

This is utterly ridiculous. If you are so worried about it, freeze it now and defrost tomorrow to cook. I cannot believe the responses you are getting that say not to eat it. The dates are always cautious estimates. If it's been in the fridge it will be fine!

Original poster
MimosasInFrance · 24/12/2022 10:40

Thanks everyone. I think the idea of cooking it today is very wise - don't know why I didn't think of that to begin with!

OP posts:
Goldieshock · 24/12/2022 10:41

Cook it today and serve tomorrow if you're worried
Don't let it go to waste

Augend23 · 24/12/2022 10:42

I would. It won't go off at the stroke of midnight. If it will be alright at 11:59 today then it will be fine at 10am tomorrow.

IClaudine · 24/12/2022 10:44

Freeze and defrost tomorrow if you are worried. Much nicer to eat freshly cooked.

toomuchlaundry · 24/12/2022 10:44

I would be cooking it today.

Some use by dates I can be lax with but chicken and shellfish are ones I’m not (also humous after reading some stories on MN 🤮)

IClaudine · 24/12/2022 10:45

And the poster who suggested cooking it for an extra hour...dried up roast chicken is not nice!

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