Always keep cold foods below 40F (4C) and hot foods above 140F (60C). Fresh meat usually has a mild smell or no smell at all. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. If you notice colors like brown, yellow or green instead of the red, pinkish meat color, then your steak is spoiled. Even with all the strict measures in place to ensure that quality is maintained throughout the whole meat processing procedure, ocassionally a bad piece of meat makes its way into the system and it is nobodys fault. So, if the sell-by-date is 2nd of June, the store must sell the meat by that time to give the customer the needed time to store or cook it. The first mistake was how you thawed them. Disease-causing microorganisms grow rapidly in food thats been left at room temperature and are more likely to occur in spoiled food (6). If the smell is strong and off putting, and doesnt reduce after 30 minutes of airing, then you may need to look a little more closely to make sure it is not spoiled. The critical thing to note is where the meat is gray. Also, when you touch it, it has a slippery or sticky feel, which is very noticeable, especially if you have cooked raw steaks several times. If it smells okay but youre still not sure, touch the surface of the meat. Fresh ground beef should always be bright red in color. Well, it depends on your diet and goal. For instance, if you've made a boiled stew or soup and cooked your meat for a while, you may not get sick. After passing the look and touch tests, then it's time to use your nose. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, Online portal combining food safety information from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Food Safety and Inspection Service, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/7e\/Tell-if-Ground-Beef-Has-Gone-Bad-Step-11.jpg\/v4-460px-Tell-if-Ground-Beef-Has-Gone-Bad-Step-11.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/7e\/Tell-if-Ground-Beef-Has-Gone-Bad-Step-11.jpg\/v4-728px-Tell-if-Ground-Beef-Has-Gone-Bad-Step-11.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"
\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Sometimes, rubbing the pork in vinegar also helps get rid of the egg-y smell. A whole week has passed, and that package of ground beef is still chilling in the back of your refrigerator. While bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli are destroyed when the meat is cooked and has reached a 150F internal temperature, several other bacteria are immune to heat and cold and will survive any freezing or cooking process, making the meat unsafe to eat. Once it goes bad, its no longer safe to eat. He loves to share his passion about outdoor cooking with everyone on various Social Media platforms (Read More). Do not taste questionable meat to check if it is spoiled. Take a cooler along to the store with you with a few ice blocks inside. Meat has a natural moist feel to it, however this is a clean feeling. Another way to check your ground beef is by conducting a touch test. Tags: Chicken. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. The color can change depending on the animals diet, sex, age, etc. Its trash! This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/55\/Tell-if-Ground-Beef-Has-Gone-Bad-Step-6-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Tell-if-Ground-Beef-Has-Gone-Bad-Step-6-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/55\/Tell-if-Ground-Beef-Has-Gone-Bad-Step-6-Version-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Tell-if-Ground-Beef-Has-Gone-Bad-Step-6-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"
\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. There are 20 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. If you have put the steak in the refrigerator for a long time, then there is a high possibility of steak gone bad. Green and gray-green tints or spots are usually signs of bacterial growth. Ground meat, including sausages, can be kept in your People who eat rancid meat are likely to get sick. If it smelt bad before cooking and smells bad during cooking Its probably bad! Don't take a chance! Ground beef can be refrigerated and safely eaten up to 2 days past this date (3, 6). The natural juices within the meat can start to discolor and develop a tangy odor during storage. If it is a bit gray on the inside, that's probably fine. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Conclusion. This is the last thing you want as it comes with the risk of making you sick or even die from food poisoning. If you dont plan to cook anytime soon, place it in the fridge or freezer. Return it to the retailer where you purchased it and ask for a refund! If you are in a hurry, here it is a short list of the signs to have in mind to find out if the meat is safe to eat or not: Lets jump to each one of them and get into more details: This is pretty straightforward for most people. If it smells like rotten and rancid, then discard it right away. This article has been viewed 2,544,399 times. You should target internal temperature of 120 to 165F for the best results. Lets say you left raw ground beef in the fridge for 7 daysif the meat still wasnt 3 days past its sell-by date (or showed any signs of spoilage), it would still be safe to eat. It's. The times mentioned below are what the USDA recommends for storing meat after it has defrosted in the fridge. When in doubt about a meat's color, throw it away. Never leave at room temperature for more than 2 hours. Proper handling and storing are key to avoiding food poisoning from ground beef. If it seems okay, use your fingers to test the texture. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/2c\/Tell-if-Ground-Beef-Has-Gone-Bad-Step-9-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Tell-if-Ground-Beef-Has-Gone-Bad-Step-9-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/2c\/Tell-if-Ground-Beef-Has-Gone-Bad-Step-9-Version-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Tell-if-Ground-Beef-Has-Gone-Bad-Step-9-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"
\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. The surface of the meat will have a sheen to it, and the slime may have a yellowish hue when it catches the light. She holds a BASc in Culinary Arts and Food Service Management from Johnson and Wales University. You'll know if you have rancid meat in your fridge because it smells sour, sulfuric or like ammonia. Make sure the fridge temperature is below 40F (4C). Handling and storing ground beef properly reduces your risk of foodborne illnesses. In case you let meat at room temperature with no cover, the bacteria density will multiply two times compared to when it is refrigerated and sealed. This article, "Very helpful! First, Sidoti advises looking for a change in color. If you're ever unsure about how long meat is good after defrosting, the best thing to do is to check the package. Cooked beef also feels slimy to the touch after it goes bad. What does off beef smell like? Manage Settings If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. According to the U. S. Food and Drug Administration, you should always keep meat and meat products in your refrigerator at 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Here are 4 ways to tell whether your ground beef has gone bad. Dont leave the meat at room temperature for a long period of time as it increases the risk of spoilage. We have all salivated at the smell of chicken, beef or lamb roasting in the oven. Your senses are your most trusted option when it comes to this scenario. How long the meat was left to hang prior to being butchered and packed can also affect the shelf life of the vacuum sealed meat. Be careful to not mistake the cheese-like smell of dry aged steaks which come as a result of produced lactic acid during the aging process with the spoiled steak smell. When doing the smell test, make sure to not press your nose against the meat but just simply cup your hand near the meat and move it towards your face and see if you can smell anything. Kendrick is an outdoor cooking enthusiast, living in Kansas. If you notice a sweet smell like honey in your ground pork after thawing, it might be because the meat has been spoiled. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. We prepared a short list with a couple of ways to prevent the meat from spoiling. If you suspect your meat has spoiled, do not ingest it. Its important to safely handle and store all types of meat. Many bacteria can be killed during the cooking process. Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter. If the product has been out of the cold chain for more than 30 minutes, or stored at a temperature above 5oC / 40oF then this can allow bacteria to multiply. Poultry can be kept in your refrigerator for two days. Keep in mind that if you put the meat in the freezer by the use-by-date, that date no longer apply. Bacon can be kept in your refrigerator for 7 days. How long can meat thaw in fridge before spoiling? Good website. This is because certain bacteria also release toxins, according to the Mayo Clinic. Approved. What Happens if You Cook a Spoiled Steak? If the meat smells sour or unpleasant, its probably bad and you should discard it. Wash your hands after handling raw poultry whether you believe it is spoiled or not. But, color changes are not the most accurate way to tell if the steak is bad or not. Unfortunately, noyou should throw it out. Check the meat for a foul smell. My granddaughter suggested I google "ground chuck gray", which I did & chose your site. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e1\/Tell-if-Ground-Beef-Has-Gone-Bad-Step-5-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Tell-if-Ground-Beef-Has-Gone-Bad-Step-5-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e1\/Tell-if-Ground-Beef-Has-Gone-Bad-Step-5-Version-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Tell-if-Ground-Beef-Has-Gone-Bad-Step-5-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"
\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Generally speaking, most cuts of beef, lamb, pork, and cooked meats can last 8-12 months in the freezer. A Look at the Science, Meat Temperature: A Guide to Safe Cooking, Eating Meat for Weight Loss? When meat stays for a while exposed to air, the color will start to become darker but that doesnt always mean that the meat is spoiled. If youre checking fish or seafood, look for shiny skin, clear eyes, and reddish gills, and do not eat fish that has a milky color. The sulfur-like or ammonia-like odor pork is the result of bacterial seepage. You can also use the color of the meat as a guideline. Be sure to discard . Salmonella and E. coli can also cause intestinal bleeding, resulting in bloody diarrhea. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. However, if the outer layer of meat was not fully trimmed properly prior to packing, then some of that spoiled meat could have ended up in the vacuum packed product.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'yourmeatguide_com-leader-2','ezslot_13',170,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-yourmeatguide_com-leader-2-0'); Sometimes, nothing at all has happened to the meat on its journey to your kitchen, and it was just a bad piece of meat to begin with. The meat has no off smells, texture changes, or discoloration. Keep an eye on the meats internal temperature while cooking. "I bought a 4 lb. Spoilage bacteria are generally not harmful but cause food to lose quality and develop a bad odor and taste (3). As meat goes bad, it usually takes on grayish undertones. However, not all red meats have the same color. If your ground beef has a sticky or slimy texture when raw or cooked, it has most likely gone bad. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. You shouldnt eat ground beef past its expiration date unless its been frozen, in which case it can last up to 4 months (8). Step 3: Wipe Down and Sanitize the Freezer Usually these Jake legs buy $500 worth of meat with there EBT welfare card & sell it for $700 cash. I will just say that, although the smell of vacuum packed meat can seem a little funky, it is rarely an overwhelming smell or so strong that you are disgusted by it. Based on the US Department of Agriculture, the bacteria double in number every 20 minutes, if the meat is left on temperature from 40F to 140F. The best way is to smell and look at the ground beef: signs of bad ground beef are a sour smell and a slimy texture; discard any ground beef with an off smell or appearance, do not taste first. Avoid fish with scales that look like they're flaking off. Its safest to never eat raw or spoiled ground beef. Whole meat cuts (chops, roasts) will remain useable for another 3-5 days in the refrigerator before cooking. These are all signs of foods you shouldn't hesitate on throwing out. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. In this case, follow cooking instructions carefully and throw the meat out if you notice signs of spoilage. Organ meat to be frozen for up to 4 months. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a8\/Tell-if-Ground-Beef-Has-Gone-Bad-Step-1-Version-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Tell-if-Ground-Beef-Has-Gone-Bad-Step-1-Version-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a8\/Tell-if-Ground-Beef-Has-Gone-Bad-Step-1-Version-6.jpg\/v4-728px-Tell-if-Ground-Beef-Has-Gone-Bad-Step-1-Version-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":" \u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. If your meat has been on the fridge for a long time, then it is probably spoiled, so throw it away. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Abyssinia Campbell. "Different meat has different smells," said . As for other steak cuts, just use your nose to sense the smell. Meat defrosted in the refrigerator can be re-frozen without cooking, although some quality may be lost. New York Strip vs Ribeye Steak Differences, How to Grill Frozen Steak without Thawing, Wisconsin Nutrition Education Program; Keeping Food Safe; 2005. From freezer and, Many people believe red meat can harm your health. Throw your meat away if it has a bad odor, especially if the meat's expiration date has passed. Even though some bacteria are killed with heat, a couple of them will survive freezing or heat, making the meat unsafe to be consumed. Avoid eating meats with broken seals or liquids seeping from the package. Read on for plenty of foolproof tips and hacks for inspecting, storing, and cooking your ground beef, so you can feel confident that your meat is 100% safe to eat. It should smell and taste like fresh pork without any pungent or weird odor. Meat can last longer if it is frozen. A spoiled steak will have a potent scent that no longer smells like usual raw meat but has an ammonia-clad aroma, somehow like a cheesy-like smell. Once the hamburger has been freezing can you refreeze it without cooking it first? Outbreaks of infections related to these bacteria occur fairly frequently in the United States (1, 3, 12, 13). Read more: 11 Food-Safety Mistakes You Don't Know You're Making. Getty Images. Cooked meat leftovers: 2-3 months Place the foods you will be keeping inside a cooler or plastic storage bag together, which will help them stay cold. ", of action is recommended by you. Bad meat is likely to have notable discolorations. Yes, but only if you defrosted the meat in your refrigerator. Also, within 30 minutes of opening, any smell should have all but disappeared. Also, if the ground beef has any areas that are tinted white or blue, this can indicate . 11 Food-Safety Mistakes You Don't Know You're Making, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration: "Refrigerator Freezer Chart from Food Safety for Moms to Be", US Department of Health and Human Services: "Meat and Poultry Charts". Therefore, even though spoilage bacteria wont make you sick, you should always discard spoiled ground beef to avoid consuming disease-causing microorganisms. [4] Do not press your nose against or near the meat to smell it. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Can I Get Sick From Eating Bad Meat Even After Cooking It? She holds a BASc in Culinary Arts and Food Service Management from Johnson and Wales University. Food poisoning can cause unpleasant symptoms ranging from nausea to vomiting. And, if you put the steak on freezer before its use-by-date, make sure to leave enough time for it to thaw and still be safe to eat. If the ground beef is gray on the inside and outside, it most likely has spoiled. If any of these symptoms are present, the meat should not be eaten. If the chicken has a sour or pungent, noticeably foul smell, go with your gut instincts and throw it out. This slimy film is usually created just before the meat starts to mold and go bad. You can still try to rinse the meat at this point, but after resting, if the meat still smells and is discolored, then you should dispose of it as it has spoiled.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'yourmeatguide_com-leader-1','ezslot_7',167,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-yourmeatguide_com-leader-1-0'); There may be instances where you open your vacuum sealed meat and the smell immediately lets you know that something is not right. Refrigerate or freeze it as soon as you get home or within 2 hours of purchase. Raw ground beef should be bright red on the outside and brownish on the inside. If you notice a single sign of meat going bad, you better throw it away, no matter how expensive it is. This doesnt indicate spoilage. Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve. After rinsing and patting dry the meat and allowing it to stand, the natural color should return to the meat within the 30 minutes airing time. Is that can of tuna still good enough for your casserole? Thus, it goes bad faster than steak or other larger cuts (2). The Mayo Clinic says that food poisoning can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, diarrhea and other gastrointestinal issues. Sell-by and expiration dates are additional guidelines for determining whether your ground beef is good (7). 3. In comparison, rancid meat smells strange. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d6\/Tell-if-Ground-Beef-Has-Gone-Bad-Step-4-Version-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Tell-if-Ground-Beef-Has-Gone-Bad-Step-4-Version-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d6\/Tell-if-Ground-Beef-Has-Gone-Bad-Step-4-Version-6.jpg\/v4-728px-Tell-if-Ground-Beef-Has-Gone-Bad-Step-4-Version-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":" \u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. You can leave most steak cuts for 3-5 days without any issue but if you cant remember for how long it has been in the fridge, then it is probably not safe to consume. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc. \u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. If the meat has been staying for many hours or even days at room temperature, then throw it away. The interior of raw ground meat may be greyish brown due to a lack of exposure to oxygen. Cooked beef also smells sour and foul when its no longer good to eat. Another noticeable sign of steak gone bad is when several color patches are created on the surface. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. When you remove the meat from the sealed pouch to rinse it, if it has a strong smell and the meat feels sticky or slimy, then there is a good chance that it has spoiled. Usually, the slime is clear or light yellow in color but will make the meat appear shinier than usual. So, use this date only as a reference when the steak is not in the freezer. Thank you. Executive Chef. After rinsing and patting dry the meat and allowing it to stand, the natural color should return to the meat within the 30 minutes airing time. Not only will this allow the meat to cook more evenly, but you will find that the vacuum sealing odor has also disappeared. Have in mind that it is a big difference between the sell-by-date and the use-by-date. For example, ground meat is only good for 1-2 days after defrosting, while chicken breasts can last up to a week. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc. \u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. The USDA recommends cooking chicken or freezing it within 1 to 2 days of purchase. Always wash your hands before and after touching raw meat. If you defrosted the meat in a bowl or water or in the microwave, it's no longer safe to refreeze. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Refrigerating a steak at a later date is a good option if you want to store it for a couple of days. However, if the smell you are getting during cooking is less than mouth watering, in fact it is rather off putting, then this is another sure sign that you probably shouldnt be eating it. As meat goes bad, it usually takes on grayish undertones. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. If you have been unfortunate enough to open vacuum sealed meat that has spoiled but is within its useable date, there are several reasons why this may have occurred.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'yourmeatguide_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_11',168,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-yourmeatguide_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0'); Occasionally a vacuum sealed product can appear to still be sealed, however a tiny air hole may have allowed oxygen to enter the packet.
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/29\/Tell-if-Ground-Beef-Has-Gone-Bad-Step-8-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Tell-if-Ground-Beef-Has-Gone-Bad-Step-8-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/29\/Tell-if-Ground-Beef-Has-Gone-Bad-Step-8-Version-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Tell-if-Ground-Beef-Has-Gone-Bad-Step-8-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a6\/Tell-if-Ground-Beef-Has-Gone-Bad-Step-10-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Tell-if-Ground-Beef-Has-Gone-Bad-Step-10-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a6\/Tell-if-Ground-Beef-Has-Gone-Bad-Step-10-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Tell-if-Ground-Beef-Has-Gone-Bad-Step-10-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"meat smells sour after defrosting