How long can you store ground beef in the refrigerator after purchase?
To keep bacterial levels low, store ground beef at 40 °F or less and use within 1 to 2 days. Be sure to refrigerate or freeze ground beef as soon as possible after purchase. This preserves freshness and slows growth of bacteria. It can be refrigerated or frozen in its original packaging if the meat will be used soon.
For longer freezer storage, wrap in heavy duty plastic wrap, aluminum foil, freezer paper, or plastic bags made for freezing. Ground beef is safe indefinitely if kept frozen, but will lose quality over time. It is best if used within 4 months. Mark your packages with the date they were placed in the freezer so you can keep track of storage times.
For more information: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OA/pubs/focusgb.htm