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Q: How long can I keep beef frozen in the freezer?

A: Here are some guidelines for how long you can safely store beef products, but always remember - WHEN IN DOUBT - THROW IT OUT! Uncooked hamburger and stew meat can be frozen for 3-4 months. Uncooked, fresh steaks and roasts for 6-12 months. Unopened lunch meats can be frozen and stored for 1-2 months (when stored in freezer wrap). If you have leftover dishes with cooked beef in them, you can freeze them for about 2-3 months. 

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Cooking Roasts

A roast... tender, tasty and juicy! But how do you make one? Below you'll find great tips on preparing and cooking your roast to perfection. Would you like to try a new roast recipe? Just click here for all kinds of delicious roast possibilities!

Roasting Timetable

When deciding what size roast to buy to satisfy any appetite,
plan to serve 6 ounces of cooked beef per person.

All cooking times are based on meat removed directly from the refrigerator.
After roast stands 10-15 minutes after removing from oven, final temperature
should be Medium rare: 145° F --- Medium: 160° F

Beef Cut

Oven Temp.
(preheated)

Weight 

Approx. Total
Cooking Time
MR=medium rare,
M=medium

Remove when internal temp. reaches:

Ribeye Roast
small end
350°F 3 to 4 lbs MR: 1-1/2 to 1-3/4 hrs
M: 1-3/4 to 2 hrs
135°F
150°F
4 to 6 lbs MR: 1-3/4 to 2 hours
M: 2 to 2-1/2 hours
135°F
150°F
6 to 8 lbs MR: 2 to 2-1/4 hrs
M: 2-1/2 to 2-3/4 hrs
135°F
150°F
Ribeye Roast
large end 
350°F 3 to 4 lbs MR: 1-3/4 to 2-1/4 hours
M: 2 to 2-1/2 hours
135°F
150°F
4 to 6 lbs MR: 2 to 2-1/2 hours
M: 2-1/2 to 3 hours
135°F
150°F
6 to 8 lbs MR: 2-1/4 to 2-1/2 hours
M: 2-1/2 to 3 hours
135°F
150°F
Rib Roast
(chine bone removed)
350°F 4 to 6 lbs
(2 ribs)
MR: 1-1/2 to 1-3/4 hrs
M: 1-3/4 to 2 hrs
135°F
150°F
6 to 8 lbs
(2 to 4 ribs)
MR: 1-3/4 to 2 hours
M: 2 to 2-1/2 hours
135°F
150°F
8 to 10 lbs
(4 to 5 ribs)
MR: 2 to 2-1/4 hrs
M: 2-1/2 to 2-3/4 hrs
135°F
150°F
Shoulder Tender
Petite Roast
425°F Varies MR: 20 to 25 minutes 145°F
Tenderloin Roast 425°F 2 to 3 lbs
(center-cut)
MR: 50 to 60 minutes
M: 60 to 70 minutes
135°F
150°F
4 to 5lbs
(whole)
MR: 50 to 60 minutes
M: 60 to 70 minutes
135°F
150°F
Tri-Tip Roast
(bottom sirloin)
425°F 1-1/2 to 2 lbs MR: 30 to 40 minutes
M: 40 to 45 minutes
135°F
150°F
Round Tip Roast 325°F 3 to 4 lbs MR: 1-3/4 to 2 hours
M: 2-1/4 to 2-1/2 hours
140°F
155°F
4 to 6 lbs MR: 2 to 2-1/2 hours
M: 2-1/2 to 3 hours
140°F
155°F
6 to 8 lbs MR: 2-1/2 to 3 hours
M: 3 to 3-1/2 hours
140°F
155°F
Round (Sirloin) Tip
Center Roast
325°F 2 to 2-1/2 lbs MR: 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 hours 135°F 135°F
Eye Round Roast 325°F 2 to 3 lbs MR: 1-1/2 to 1-3/4 hours 135°F 135°F
Meatloaf 350°F 8 x 4 inches, 1-1/2 lbs M: 1-1/4 hours 160°F 135°F
USDA/FSIS recommends cooking ground beef to medium (160°F) doneness, until not pink in center.
Medium rare doneness = 145°F final meat temperature after 15 to 20 minutes standing time.
Medium doneness = 160°F final meat temperature after 15 to 20 minutes standing time.
All cooking times are based on beef removed directly from refrigerator.

Step 1:
Heat oven to temperature specified in roasting timetable.

Step 2:
Place roast (straight from refrigerator) fat side up on rack in shallow roasting
pan. Season roast before cooking, if desired. Insert ovenproof meat
thermometer so tip is centered in thickest part of roast, not resting in fat or
touching bone. Do not add water; do not cover.

Step 3:
Roast according to timetable. Transfer roast to carving board; tent loosely with
aluminum foil. Let stand 15 to 20 minutes. (Temperature will continue to rise
5ºF to 10ºF to reach desired doneness, and roast will be easier to carve.)

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