\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. As a result, you can become sick and even die if you eat a bad steak. Ground beef may change color due to multiple factors, including temperature, light, microbial growth, and exposure to oxygen (4). The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says you should cook most meats to an internal temperature of 145 degrees F. Poultry needs to be cooked to a slightly higher internal temperature of 165 degrees F. People who eat rancid meat are likely to get sick. If the meat is bad, then it is a breeding ground for a lot of harmful bacteria such as Salmonella, Bacillus, Escherichia coli, etc. Additionally, FuriousGrill.com also participates in other affiliate programs, and we sometimes get a commission through purchases made through our links. Thaw it using your microwave and not the kitchen counter. If it is not stored properly, has been in the refrigerator or freezer for a long time, then the meat will eventually go bad and become spoiled. You should toss it immediately (14). Opened it, began making patties, and. Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve. Slimy or Sticky. Meanwhile, the expiration date also labeled as best before tells you when the product is likely to start going bad. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If youre not sure how to tell if meat is bad, give it a good smell. If your meat is slimy or sticky, your meat has likely become contaminated by some sort of microbe. Anything more than that, it is not safe. 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. Food will have the best taste and quality before this date. Though the bacteria that cause meat to spoil arent generally harmful, other disease-causing microorganisms may proliferate when it goes bad. Well, it depends on your diet and goal. Most meat is good for 3-5 days after defrosting, but there are always exceptions. The Salmonella and the E. coli are destroyed when the meat reaches a 150F temperature. The first mistake was how you thawed them. Slime is pretty grim in any situation, but it's a particularly bad sign if it's on your steak. Smell fresh seafood while you are at the supermarket to compare its smell. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Fresh, raw ground beef should be red due to its levels of oxymyoglobin a pigment formed when a protein called myoglobin reacts with oxygen (3). If the meat is loose within the pouch then air has entered. If its surface has turned thoroughly brown or gray or grown mold, it has gone bad and should be discarded. What Now? 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. Also, the Bacillus and Clostridium bacteria survive freezing and cooking, so they become the meat unsafe to eat. If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission. If the defrosted food item feels slimy or sticky, it's a sign that the food has gone bad. Don't take a chance! This is because certain bacteria also release toxins, according to the Mayo Clinic. The most common sign people know to spot a spoiled steak is the change in color. In general, steak can last 3 to 5 days in the fridge. After you start cooking meat, the heat will kill bacteria. Wash drawers or racks in a similar way and replace them in the freezer. Is it still safe to cook with and eat, or are you better off tossing it out? "Fresh, raw chicken should have a pink, fleshy color. Signs that you've eaten contaminated meat include: abdominal cramping, bloating, gas and nausea, according to Mayo Clinic. Manage Settings Even though storing steak in the refrigerator can slow down the spoiling process and help you store it for a couple of days, still, the meat will not stay fresh forever. If there is a thick layer of ice around your chicken then it is no longer good. Steaks can be kept in your refrigerator for up to 5 days. The best thing to do when you put the meat in the fridge, is to write the use-by-date if it isnt already written on the package. Dont cook with ground beef thats more than 3 days past its sell-by date. This article was co-authored by Abyssinia Campbell and by wikiHow staff writer, Janice Tieperman. Check out our articles, How To Choose A Good Butcher To Buy Your Meat From. To minimize the time that ground beef is left unrefrigerated, buy it last and head home directly from the store. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Unfortunately, noyou should throw it out. We mentioned that the color change doesnt always tell that the steak is bad. As meat goes bad, it usually takes on grayish undertones. Abyssinia Campbell. Cook the meat thoroughly to reduce your risk of infection. To reduce your risk of illness, you should always cook meat thoroughly and avoid eating spoiled or undercooked ground beef. Meat defrosted in the refrigerator can be re-frozen without cooking, although some quality may be lost. Returning it! Is it safe to eat. A tainted burger can appear, and in fact be, perfectly "fresh." Food spoilage is simply an umbrella term for the various signs that communicate to your senses of smell, sight, or touch, that you should not eat the food. This is the last thing you want as it comes with the risk of making you sick or even die from food poisoning. It looks perfectly normal aside from the fact that it looks a little bit white. Chicken naturally has a glossy, slightly slippery texture. If you dont notice a funny scent but still see signs of spoilage in color or texture, its still safest to throw it away, as pathogenic bacteria cannot be smelled (6). Can I Get Sick From Eating Bad Meat Even After Cooking It? Fresh and frozen meat has a date that is intended to be sold and to be consumed. In comparison, rancid meat smells strange. References Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. If youre not sure whether your ground beef is still good, lean close and smell it. As it starts to go bad, the color fades to a shade of grey. 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. Check the color and expiration date of the meat. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. According to the U. S. Food and Drug Administration, you should always keep meat and meat products in your refrigerator at 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Rub vinegar onto the pork and let it sit for a minute. "All beef, including ground beef, is a deep purple until it hits oxygen . Larger cuts or whole birds (like a turkey) take about 24 hours per five pounds to thaw. If you see any signs of leaking juices, or the pouch feels slack against the meat, then there is a good chance that the seal has been compromised and the air has gotten into the pouch and caused the meat to spoil. It also keeps the beef safe for eating, because it defrosts evenly and slowly to provide the best texture. As a general rule of thumb, never leave meat out for longer than 2 hours at room temperature, or for more than 1 hour if it is above 90 F (32 C). How long does ground beef last in the fridge? If the meat has been contaminated with something pathogenic, like bacteria or toxins, it can make you sick. Weve got you covered. For instance, if you've made a boiled stew or soup and cooked your meat for a while, you may not get sick. 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. Luckily, both raw and cooked ground beef display obvious signs when they go badand were here to show you exactly what those signals are. Thawed ground pork shouldn't have any smell. Remember you can't rely on appearance or odor. 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. Its trash! However, if your nose tells you it isn't spoiled, put them in ice cold milk in the . This article, "Very helpful! What Happens if You Cook a Spoiled Steak? On the other hand, pathogenic bacteria are dangerous, as they can lead to food poisoning. However, the duration of time meat can be kept at this temperature depends on the product. Keep in mind that the freezer will not make the meat last forever but just for a few weeks or months. 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. Last medically reviewed on February 22, 2023. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Also, within 30 minutes of opening, any smell should have all but disappeared. 3. Even though some bacteria are killed with heat, a couple of them will survive freezing or heat, making the meat unsafe to be consumed. When the steak has gone bad, different kind of bacteria is grown. The safest way to thaw frozen meat is in the refrigerator. [6] Method 2 Scrutinizing Frozen Chicken 1 Look for an ice crust. If you think your ground pork is no longer safe to eat, it's time to discard it . Vacuum packed meat is sealed in a pouch that has had the oxygen removed. Not all microbes are dangerous. Hopefully you are now a little more informed as to whether that vacuum packed meat smell if normal or a sign of the meat going bad. This would be impossible to see unless it was found during the cutting process. Sell-by and expiration dates are additional guidelines for determining whether your ground beef is good (7). Whats the healthiest meat to buy? If this happens for a long time, your meat will turn rotten and smelly. If ground meat passes the visual test, the next step is to touch it. Handling and storing ground beef properly reduces your risk of foodborne illnesses. Ground beef is commonly used to make burgers, meatballs, and sausage, as well as tacos, lasagna, and savory pies. Getty Images. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Poultry can be kept in your refrigerator for two days. He loves to share his passion about outdoor cooking with everyone on various Social Media platforms (Read More). If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. You will have to evaluate each item separately. 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. Once it goes bad, its no longer safe to eat. If the chicken has a sour or pungent, noticeably foul smell, go with your gut instincts and throw it out. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. If you're not sure whether a meat is spoiled or not, throw it out to be safe. Be sure to carefully read the product label when buying ground beef. Choose a package thats cold to the touch and in good condition, without holes or scratches. My dad just bought a box of 30 ribyes for $30, all vacuum sealed & frozen, but had big half dollar sized brownish grey spots on half of them. Whether you'll get sick will also be determined by whether or not you fully cooked your food. Dont leave the meat at room temperature for a long period of time as it increases the risk of spoilage. You shouldnt eat ground beef past its expiration date unless its been frozen, in which case it can last up to 4 months (8). In general, the steak is still safe to eat even if the sell-by-date has passed by a couple of days. You partially cooked them, and odds are they will be rather tough now. So, what happens if you cook a spoiled steak? A sell-by date tells the retailer how long a product can be displayed for sale. 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. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Another noticeable sign of steak gone bad is when several color patches are created on the surface. This is caused by the growth of Bacteria and is a clear sign that the meat is unsafe to cook. If you notice colors like brown, yellow or green instead of the red, pinkish meat color, then your steak is spoiled. Poultry to be frozen for up to 12 months. Summary. Store raw and cooked beef in the fridge to keep it as fresh as possible. Cooking and eating spoiled pork, old chicken or any other bad meat isn't guaranteed to make you sick, though. Color changes are completely normal for fresh meats, so it is better to know a couple of different ways to help you tell if the steak has gone bad or not. Abyssinia Campbell is an Executive Chef and the Owner of Chef Abyssinia, Personal Chef and Catering. Your senses are your most trusted option when it comes to this scenario. Remember, they are both wild game, and depending on how they were butchered and treated before freezing, they can have some somewhat strong odors. Spoiled ground beef is dangerous to eat because it may contain pathogenic bacteria, which are responsible for foodborne illnesses. These colors usually appear on small patches rather than the whole surface, but still, they are a clear sign to not eat the meat. To destroy these bacteria and reduce your risk of food poisoning, cook ground beef thoroughly and use a meat thermometer to verify that its internal temperature reaches 160F (71C) (3). Not only will this allow the meat to cook more evenly, but you will find that the vacuum sealing odor has also disappeared. If you're ever unsure about how long meat is good after defrosting, the best thing to do is to check the package. If you have put the steak in the refrigerator for a long time, then there is a high possibility of steak gone bad. This helps prevent spoilage. She holds a BASc in Culinary Arts and Food Service Management from Johnson and Wales University. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. The sell-by-date is the date that the store needs to sell the meat. Avoid fish with scales that look like they're flaking off. Keep in mind to properly seal the meat before refrigerating it, so no air will get in and oxidize the meat. The mold has started to grow and it is unsafe to be consumed. Wipe down the outside of the freezer, paying special attention to the handle. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. refrigerator for two days. An air hole can occur for reasons such as the original heat seal not being strong enough to fully seal the bag, a slight crinkle in the bag when it was sealed, a minute hole in the pouch that was used prior to sealing, or a minute hole being pierced sometime after sealing. Another way to check your ground beef is by conducting a touch test. Never taste food to determine its safety! wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Smell is the first indicator followed by color. Sell-by and expiration dates tell you the best time to eat ground beef. You dont want animals rooting around in your trash and snacking on recalled meat. So, it is essential to place your ground beef inside a fridge or a freezer before the two-hour time limit. But, color changes are not the most accurate way to tell if the steak is bad or not. If raw chicken is gray, green, or any color other than . Beef is good for around 4 months in the freezer, so your beef should theoretically still be in good shape if it's only been 3. Its important to safely handle and store all types of meat. If it is a bit gray on the inside, that's probably fine. 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. It only takes one refrigerator or refrigerated delivery truck to have a unit that is not staying cold enough, to allow spoilage to start to occur. Avoid eating meats with broken seals or liquids seeping from the package. This article has been viewed 515,308 times. Wash your hands after handling raw poultry whether you believe it is spoiled or not. It's slimy. 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. 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.