Factors such as oxygen, light, temperature, and microbial growth may all influence the color of beef. If you use hot or even warm water, you could ruin the meat.. A simple sniff test will confirm that for you. Pay attention to the color and expiration date. Contamination can lead to foodpoisoningand is often caused by salmonella or e.Coli. Vacuum-sealed ground beef that has not been exposed to the air will have a purplish burgundy color. You can't tell if meat is properly cooked by looking at its color or juices. As the USDA explains, Oxygen from the air reacts with meat pigments to form a bright red color which is usually seen on the surface of meat purchased in the supermarket. That pigment is called oxymyoglobin, a substance found in all warm-blooded animals, and it explains why the outside of that pile of meaty goodness is red, with gray lurking underneath; it just hasnt been exposed to the air. Last Update: October 15, 2022. . Furthermore, if you notice the absence of an offputting odor, but can visibly see changes in the color or texture that indicate spoilage, throw the ground beef in the trash. When you break apart the ground beef you bought, you may see some gray on the inside. Finally, ground beef can change color when it spoils, going from the familiar rust-red color (produced by iron, the same ingredient that gives blood its color) to a flat gray color. So, when in doubt, throw it out! bad looking ground beef You may see some brown in the middle of prepackaged ground beef which can be normal. Ground meat normally has a bright red color. The only problem? Spoilage bacteria generally are not harmful, but they will cause food to deteriorate or lose quality by developing a bad odor or feeling sticky on the outside. As a result, you may experience diarrhea, including blood, abdominal cramps, fever, nausea, and vomiting. and brownish gray color. Smell is the first indicator followed by color. Oxygen hasn't touched it to turn it red if the interior is gray. Place the ground beef on a shelf by itself to avoid cross-contamination. Bacteria goes into a state of suspended animation. Coloring can also indicate spoilage. Blue Rare Steak Guide Everything You Need To Know! Fresh raw ground beef is usually red due to its healthy levels of oxymyoglobin. Knowing whether meat has gone bad is tricky. . What if all of my beef is gray? Fresh ground beef is firm and springs back easily if you poke it. Be sure to use or freeze the ground beef by the expiration date. I always tell customers, your nose knows, says Sanchez. Usually, you'll see a sell-by date on the package. Christine graduated from Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, France, and she has worked at Cook's Illustrated and CHOW.com. Prepackaged ground beef develops a brown color on the inside because oxygen is not able to reach the center. Meat is full of a pigment called myoglobin, which is responsible for delivering iron and oxygen to muscles. This is a clear indicator that the ground beef is beginning to spoil. Ignoring storage time, regarding color, brown meat is as safe to eat as red meat. Like the smell test, the expiration or sell-by date is also a clear indicator of whether ground beef is fresh or not. Is it still safe to eat or should you throw it out? Beef . Raw ground beef only keeps in the refrigerator for 1-2 days. Why does ground beef turn brown? If you open a package of ground beef and find the interior meat looks gray, it's likely because the meat hasn't been exposed to oxygen. Fresh raw ground beef is usually red due to its healthy levels of oxymyoglobin. It's not time to run back to the store and demand a replacement package. 2.. Ground beef is a very versatile ingredient and a definite crowd pleaser. When in doubt, its best to throw it out. The good news is, even if theres a color change, the meat or poultry is still perfectly fine to eat if stored properly in the refrigerator or freezer and consumed within a safe period of time (up to two days for ground meat and five days for other cuts). However, spoilage also causes changes in the texture, taste, odor, and color of the chicken. Smell the beef to see if you notice a sour smell. In addition to this, the smell test also applies to cooked and raw foods. Oxygen is one of the major players that keeps some species of bacteria thriving. And clean and sanitize all kitchen surfaces and utensils. Is it still safe to eat, and what causes this? Another way to tell whether your beef is fresh or spoiled is by touching it. This will decrease the time that your ground beef remains unrefrigerated. The odor is created by the gases released by the bacteria during their metabolism. 55+ Easy Dinner Recipes for Busy Weeknights. MANHATTAN, Kan. - Consumers who purchase ground beef from the grocery store expect the meat to be bright red, but sometimes the product may have a brown or purple color to it. Use 80/20 ground beef for best results and cook your burgers at 250F. Ground beef can be kept in the freezer at 0 degrees Fahrenheit or lower for up to three months. However, it's fairly common to see ground beef that has turned brown or grey on the inside of the chunk of meat. Smell the beef to see if you notice a sour smell. Get daily tips and expert advice to help you take your cooking skills to the next level. Follow these three steps. It will turn brown . Check the Color. Most carnivores have experienced the odd sensation of seeing a butcher scoop out lovely bright-red ground beef for them only to reveal gray meat beneath. Prepackaged ground beef develops a brown color on the inside because oxygen is not able to reach the center. Color is not always an indication that meat has gone bad, although your ground beef turning a brown color is an indication that it is further along in its lifespan, and not as fresh. Color changes can also occur if raw meat is frozen, where it can fade or darken in color. Fresh beef will have a slight smell, but beef starting to go bad will smell rotten or sour. If you can buy your meat at a small shop, specifically a whole animal shop, says Sanchez, there will be less of a chance of cross-contamination, since one animal is butchered at a time, and your ground beef will contain the meat of one animal, not several. Its food for thought. Brown Color Inside Packages of Ground Beef. Texas A&M University. The smell is caused by the gases produced by the bacteria. Can cooked ground . It is made by grinding together beef muscle tissue and fat. Therefore, it will spoil faster than large cuts of beef such as brisket. Finally, ground beef can change color when it spoils, going from the familiar rust-red color (produced by iron, the same ingredient that gives blood its color) to a flat gray color. That pigment is called oxymyoglobin, a substance found in all warm-blooded animals, and it explains why the outside of that pile of meaty goodness is red, with gray lurking underneath; it just hasn't been exposed to the air. From red meat to poultry, heres why meat can change color and what it means. Fresh ground beef will have a bright red color on the surface due to oxygen exposure and appear brown in the inside. Also, if the ground beef has any areas that are tinted white or blue, this can indicate mold and should be thrown out. Alex Van Buren is a food and travel writer living in Brooklyn, New York whose work has appeared in Gourmet.com, Bon Apptit, Martha Stewart Living, Travel & Leisure, New York Magazine, and Epicurious. Danilo Alfaro has published more than 800 recipes and tutorials focused on making complicated culinary techniques approachable to home cooks. The easiest way to see whether your meat has spoiled is to check its color. When Purchasing: When selecting your ground beef, look for beef with a bright cherry-red color, not brown. However, you must start as soon as you walk in the door. Color is not always an indicator of ground beefs freshness. It . whether freezer-burned food is safe to eat, If You See a Purple Porch Light, This Is What It Means, Do Not Sell My Personal Information CA Residents. 3 Ways to Tell If Your Ground Beef Is Bad. This makes the color of brown ground beef darker than the color of lean ground beef. Oxygen can not get to the middle of the package and it will start to turn brown. The meat has no off smells, texture changes, or discoloration. Do you need to scrap your plans for burgers or chicken for dinner? Then, there's the slightly more complicated issue of discoloration. Surprisingly enough, the color of ground beef isn't enough to raise the alarm. As with red meat, the color variations in raw poultry can result from differences in diet, breed, exercise, and age. Ground beef is a popular food. How to tell if cooked ground beef is bad? Watch: How to Make Ground Beef and Pasta Casserole, The USDA suggests you eat fresh ground beef thats been safely refrigerated within 1-2 days, and that ground beef is safe indefinitely if kept frozen, but will lose quality over time. 2. When this pigment is exposed to air, it turns bright red. In contrast, if been sits in the refrigerator for five days, it may be brown in appearance because of oxidation. Spoilage is a function of freshness (or lack thereof), whereas contamination (food that is tainted by pathogens that make you sick) can occur even in foods that are otherwise "fresh.". What Does Bad Ground Beef Look Like. An off aroma is a sign of spoilage, especially if you see other signs in the color and texture. Featured. MyRecipes.com is part of the Allrecipes Food Group. Though it may be alarming, a brown color is common with beef stored in the refrigerator. The USDA recommends cooking ground beef to an internal temperature of 160F before serving it. Ground beef is a popular food in the United States. MyRecipes may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Spoilage is also caused by bacteria, but the bacteria that cause spoilage will not make you sick. If it is brown or gray, it is probably bad. For an easy supper that you can depend on, we picked out some of our tried-and-true favorites that have gotten us through even the busiest of days. This means that bacteria that accelerate the rate of spoilage can be present in beef. It is used to make delicious foods such as lasagna, meat pies, tacos, meatballs, sausages, and burgers. When ground beef is cooked to an internal temp of 160F, any harmful bacteria present in the meat should have been destroyed and rendered harmless, even if the meat is still pink inside. Texture - In addition to an unpleasant scent, spoiled meats can be sticky or slimy to the touch. It will take on a slight odor if its been in the package for a while and is close to reaching its expiration date. This is normal, and is the result of a lack of oxygen. If your ground beef doesn't show signs of spoilage but is changing color from bright red to brown, you can still cook and eat it, but if your ground beef shows other signs of spoilage, that's bad news. All in all, know that you know how to tell if your ground beef is good or bad; youve decreased your risk of developing a foodborne illness. Consume cooked ground beef within three to four days and reheat it to 165 degrees before consuming it. Antimicrobial And Antioxidative Strategies to Reduce Pathogens and Extend the Shelf Life of Fresh Red Meats. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety, vol. Grinding the meat exposes it to oxygen, causing it to go bad more quickly than a whole-muscle steak. If the raw beef or cooked beef has color variation and has gone gray or brown, then it has gone bad, and you should throw it away. Frozen ground beef can be difficult to assess for spoilage, as it changes in color and texture when frozen. Ground beef should be consumed within one to two days of purchase, while cuts of beef should be consumed within three to five days of purchase.Beef that has gone bad will have a slimy or sticky texture, as well as a terrible or 'off' scent to it.If beef begins to turn grey in color, it does not always indicate that it has gone rotten.It is . Color changes can also occur if raw meat is frozen, where it can fade or darken in color. Serve cooked ground beef immediately or refrigerate it within two hours of cooking. Fresh raw ground beef doesnt really have a distinguishable smell. Your hands really are the best kitchen tools as you can describe different sensations by touching something with your hands. Usually, your nose will tell you right off the bat, as spoiled ground beef will smell sour. The structure of ground meat forms a multitude of little air pockets throughout the meat; each one of these pockets is a breeding ground for bacteria. According to the USDA, frozen ground beef will keep indefinitely. Ground Beef and Food Safety. U.S. Department of Agriculture. This is because most people won't eat food that smells bad or feels slimy. In contrast, bacteria that causers contamination is an unseen threat. ", 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. If it smells rancid or sour, it is probably bad. Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Healthiness Dr. Dean's Straight-Talk Answers to Hundreds of Your Most Pressing Health Questions. If you see mold, throw it away. However, if you open the package and allow it to sit for 15 minutes, the meat will transform into a vividly bright, cherry red color. The Spruce Eats uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Appearance no doubt plays a big part in what we think of as fresh, and in the case of red meat, you probably equate a bright-red color with freshness. It was totaly frozen and is now pinkish. Even if it's bright red or pink on the outside, the inner portions might look brown or even gray. 11, 2012, pp. Not only do both bacteria affect the smell of ground beef, but they also affect the taste. Fresh ground beef should smell neutral, with a light iron aroma. When this happens, bacteria can quickly grow on the beef. 3. The Brilliant Secret to Making Better Mashed Potatoes, 65 Super Easy Finger Foods to Make for Any Party. This color change occurs as the bacteria break down the iron compounds in the meat. ago Also some places use carbon monoxide to keep the meat pink longer. Youve probably pre-formed hamburger patties start to turn gray on the outside, but remain red or pink inside. Is My Ground Beef Still Safe to Eat if It Has Changed Color? Meat has pigment called oxymyoglobin which, when oxygen gets at it, turns the meat bright red. Defrosted ground beef is good in the fridge for up to two days if it was thawed in the refrigerator, but youll want to cook it immediately if you used the microwave or thawed it in cold water. Learn how to tell if salmon is bad and how to tell if chicken is bad. We reached out to a butcher and double-checked the USDA to find out. Grinding meat exposes more surface area to oxygen during the grinding process. ago Normal for any ground beef 598 Now you will have burgers on hand whenever you need them. If ground beef starts to turn brown or has a slimy texture, it has gone bad and should be thrown away. Oxygen is one of the primary sources of sustenance for the tiny bacteria that cause food poisoning. As long as your ground beef shows no signs of spoilage (rotten odor, mold growth, sticky or slimy feel) while experiencing a color change. Grinding beef into ground meat allows it to come into contact with oxygen. This pigment is the result of the protein myoglobin interacting with oxygen. Additionally, you can also cook it and freeze it. In ground beef, the signs you'll detect will depend on how badly spoiled it is. Even if they did, it would mostly just taste and smell very bad. Though some people are squeamish about touching raw meat with their hands because it contains bacteria, however, you can easily prevent bacteria from spreading from one surface to the next by washing your hands with soap and warm water. The color of the ground beef may change - sometimes it will be light brown, other times it will be darker. Since the invention of ground beef, it has been the perfect food for family dinners and game day feasts. If its surface has turned thoroughly brown or gray or grown mold, it has gone bad and should be discarded. These germs are also responsible for determining when it goes bad. However, cooks need to be careful because ground beef is highly perishable. The Big Thaw Safe Defrosting Methods for Consumers. U.S. Department of Agriculture. It will change from a red color to a brown shade. There are several reasons why this occurs. Proper handling and storage of ground beef is the best way to prevent it from going bad. Meat is full of a pigment called myoglobin, which is responsible for delivering iron and oxygen to muscles. Does Ground Beefs Color Indicate Freshness? A hint of an off odor can indicate that the meat has expired. Follow her latest culinary escapades on, age (an older animal produces darker-colored meat). If that water is a cloudy off-white color, it's likely spoiled. Discard the ground beef if you notice a rancid odor to prevent consuming . Nonetheless, if it turns brown or gray before cooking, it is pretty dangerous if you eat that patty. Grinding the meat stimulates the formation of tiny pockets of air all over the meat. Cook ground beef to an internal temperature of 160F Storage For best storage results, always go for fresh ground beef. Please join this discussion about when is ground beef bad within the Diet & Bodybuilding category. It is best if used within 4 months. Sanchez concurs, and suggests that if youre buying from a supermarket as opposed to a butcher, ask them to grind it to order, which can extend its life a tiny bit. It is a good idea to use it up right away and not store it for a longer time because while it is not there yet, it is well on its way to spoilage. Always separate raw meat from other items in your cart to prevent cross-contamination. If your ground beef has a sell-by date, tells the distributor how long they can sell or have a product on display. Color alone usually doesnt indicate poultry has gone bad. Symptoms can occur anywhere from one hour to 72 hours from consumption and generally last less than a week. Texture: Raw ground beef should be firm and break apart if squeezed between your fingers. To tell if it has gone bad, look for signs of freezer burn, which can include patches of ice crystals, discoloration, or an off-odor.Additionally, if the beef has been stored in the freezer for an extended period of time, it may have lost its natural juices and become dry and crumbly. If your ground beef is gray, slimy, or smelly, it's spoiled., To avoid wasting food, take action when you purchase ground beef. Is white ground beef bad? "Different meat has different smells," said . Excerpt: Does it turn the color grey? Eating meat that has gone off, or is slimy, can cause food poisoning. Start by inspecting the package at the store. However. February 25, 2020. It's perfectly normal. Whether you make burgers or freeze your ground beef as it is, that your ground beef in the refrigerator overnight. Is it OK to eat GREY ground beef? After passing the look and touch tests, then it's time to use your nose. For this reason, it is crucial to know when your ground beef is bad. There's even a name for it: myoglobin, which is a protein responsible for the red coloring on the outside of the ground meat. A meatloaf or a burger can look and smell like it is fresh. In addition, as ground beef spoils, its color might shift from the typical rust-red tint (which is created by iron, the same element that gives blood its color) to a flat gray color, which is less appealing.The bacteria in the meat are responsible for the color shift because they are breaking down the iron compounds in the flesh.It's rotten . It's from a lack of oxygen being to the center of the meat. Get our best recipes, grocery finds, and clever kitchen tips delivered to your inbox. If it starts to turn brown, it is beginning to go bad. Signs of foodborne illness from bad ground beef include stomach cramps or pain, vomiting, diarrhea, chills and/or fever. Do not taste the ground beef to see if it is still good, as this could make you sick. No, it is not, it can be safe to eat. Its not fun, and foodborne illness can be dangerous for the very young or old or those with compromised immune systems. Good quality, unspoiled ground beef bought from the supermarket should be. However, it could be tainted with harmful bacteria. However, how do we know when its gone bad. Pathogens are extremely different because they cannot visibly be detected. However, you may have noticed that the smell of bad ground beef can be quite pungent. 2. Handling and storing ground beef properly are vital to preventing foodborne illness. Youll also want to be on the lookout for other colors, like white or blue, which could indicate mold has started to grow. Wash your hands with hot soapy water thoroughly after touching ground beef. When trying to determine if meat has gone bad, you want to look at more than color. Ground beef is a versatile meat that may be a staple item in many people's diets. It can be used to make hundreds of different recipes from varying cuisines, so its versatile enough to satisfy foodies and picky eaters alike. 277 TRX808 10 mo. Ground beef can often be seen as a pink or red color because it is cooked through. Read on to know how to identify bad ground beef. What Are Pasteurized Eggs and Are They Better? Check The Smell Spoiled ground beef will have an unpleasant smell after you open the packaging. However, if the ground beef is in any way pale, it may not be safe to eat. First thing: Fresh meat, like fresh fish, has no smell. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @alexvanburen. Copyright 2022 Meredith Corporation. The biggest risk factor when it comes to ground beef is Salmonella and E. coli. These dates give you a clear time frame of what date to use your ground beef by. (Learn whether freezer-burned food is safe to eat. Squeezing the beef between your fingers (I know, gross, right?) Even though bacteria that cause ground beef are generally harmless, other microbes may cause diseases such as food poisoning. If you have less time to thaw, place the baggie in a casserole dish in the sink and run cold water over it. Read our, Guide To Internal Temperature for Burgers. Raw ground beef should be bright red on the outside and brownish on the inside. The Best Buns For Burgers [Includes Creative Alternatives]. Breast Cancer; IBD ; Migraine; Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Rheumatoid Arthritis; Type 2 Diabetes; Sponsored Topics; To remove strong odours of meats after cooking, make a mixture of two tablespoons of baking soda with 4-5 tablespoons of vinegar. If ground meat passes the visual test, the next step is to touch it. They do affect the aroma and flavor of the meat. How do you get rid of beef smell when cooking? To prevent cross-contamination, store ground beef wrapped in a bag on the bottom shelf in case any of the juices leak from the package. But we also wanted to talk to someone with hands-on meats-pertise, so we called Sunny Sanchez, a whole-animal butcher at The Meat Hook in Brooklyn, New York, who honed her craft at Lindy & Grundy in Los Angeles. 2009. Even if that date is two or three days in the future, pay no attention to it. Is Brown Meat from The Freezer Bad? Now, use this mixture to clean your utensil. Meat with these characteristics should not be used.. If the ground beef has a strong odor, is sticky, or has a slimy texture, it is best to throw it away. Cook the meat the day you bring it home or freeze it. 12 MajorAdvantage 10 mo. This is a normal change during refrigerator storage. Color: Fresh ground beef is red or pink in color. Ground beef is a fantastic ingredient to have around. When the . 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 . A tainted burger can appear, and in fact be, perfectly "fresh. Fresh beef will have a slight smell, but beef starting to go bad will smell rotten or sour. If it starts to smell funky, just toss it. She only butchers grassfed meat, which sometimes has a strong grassy scent, and says normal ground beef should smell light, fresh, bright; if it starts to smell sour, musty or fishy its time for it to go. Ground beef goes bad much quicker than steak. Furthermore, always select a package of ground beef that is cold to the touch and free of tears or scratches. Ground beef . Furthermore, cooked ground beef can also spoil even if it is stored properly. When meat or even poultry is packaged, the meat on the outside is exposed to more oxygen. andPseudomonasspp. Here are 4 simple ways to tell if your ground beef has gone bad. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Sealed bags of ground beef can have a darker purplish-red color and that's okay! First, you can check the color of the beef. The texture should also change - sometimes it will be smooth, other times it will be tough. The interior of fresh ground beef however isn't exposed to oxygen, therefore it isn't red, but a greyish brown color. How Food Gets Contaminated - The Food Production Chain, Antimicrobial And Antioxidative Strategies to Reduce Pathogens and Extend the Shelf Life of Fresh Red Meats, Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Healthiness Dr. Dean's Straight-Talk Answers to Hundreds of Your Most Pressing Health Questions, The Big Thaw Safe Defrosting Methods for Consumers. Super-fresh meat can look purple, in fact. Contamination and spoilage are different and will impact food (and anyone who eats that food) differently. In contrast, spoiled ground beef has a sharp, rotten, tangy smell. age (an older animal produces darker-colored meat) Prolonged exposure to air and light will also darken meat that starts out bright red. Ground beef can spoil, or go bad, if it is not stored properly. Finally, you can smell the beef. The odor, color, texture, and expiration date can be used to tell whether your ground beef is good or bad. These pockets are a seedbed for bacteria. How to tell if ground beef is bad Fresh ground beef should always be bright red in color. Food Spoilage and Food Pathogens, Whats the Difference?. Michigan State University. If your ground beef has turned either gray or brown on the outside, it signals that the meet is beginning to rot, so your best bet is to throw it away. If the meat or poultry has a bad odor or is sticky, tacky, or slimy to the touch, its time to pitch it. This color change occurs as the bacteria break down the iron compounds in the meat. Ground beef is a perishable product. Step 2. The off-color doesn't automatically mean that the ground beef is bad, says K-State Research and Extension food safety specialist Karen Blakeslee. Flimsy Texture. And if you're within the date, you're probably good. Wondering how to tell if ground beef is bad before you use it for your favorite ground beef recipe? As the USDA explains, meat contains a pigment called oxymyoglobin, which, when exposed to oxygen, creates the familiar red color that is typically associated with a package of ground beef. good looking ground beef It will also feel tacky to the touch. To destroy harmful bacteria, cook ground beef to a safe minimum internal temperature of 160 F (71.1 C). She lives in San Francisco and loves teaching cooking classes. Ground beef turning brown sometimes worries people enough they end up wasting otherwise good hamburger. Spoiled ground beefs putrid aroma is likely due to the presence ofLactobacillusspp. I have some thawing in the fridge and forgot about it. If it feels slimy, it's starting to go bad. The slime on the surface is caused by the buildup of bacterial cells. If it smells funky or off, it's spoiled. Additionally, from the grocery store, head directly to your home. Ground Beef Turns Brown in Freezer Why has my frozen ground beef changed color? Taste of Home is America's #1 cooking magazine. (Freezing does not kill the bacteria that cause spoilage or food poisoning, but it does slow down the reproductive cycle. Beef that's gone bad has a sour smell. Ground beef may be refrigerated and consumed for up to 2 days past the sell-by date. Edell, Dean M.D. HarperCollins. Consequently, you should always toss slimy ground beef or has an off-putting odor as it will not taste great. Being proactive is the only way to keep your ground beef fresh. Is it safe to eat mince that has turned brown? Buyer beware: Per the USDA, the interior of the meat may be grayish brown due to lack of oxygen; however, if all the meat in the package has turned gray or brown, it may be beginning to spoil. Sanchez is on the fence about whether shed cook meat that was gray throughout: Im a butcher, I eat a lot of meat if it smells fine and feels fine its still OK to eat. According to the USDA, "This darkening (of raw beef) is . Freeze or refrigerate within 2 hours after you purchase it. 6 In addition to this, if you intend to use your ground beef for burgers, plan in advance. Poultry should be anywhere from a bluish-white to yellow in color. In addition to this, always examine the product label before you purchase ground beef. Brown Color Inside Packages of Ground Beef. Cook ground meat immediately you bring it home from the butchery to prevent growth of harmful bacteria. Nope! Jarvie, Michelle. Poultry can also change in color when frozen. Bad ground beef can have bright red color in the middle when broken and light brown on the outside. Why does ground beef smell bad when it spoils? This pigment is the result of the protein myoglobin interacting with oxygen. Ground beef will last about 1-2 days in the refrigerator. . However, if the ground beef is brown or has a greenish tinge, this may mean that the meat has gone bad. . Smelling food is one of the simplest and quickest methods to determine whether ground beef has spoiled. Has the gray meat gone bad? Don't freak out. Home Recipes Ingredients Meat & Poultry Beef Ground Beef. After exposure to the air for 15 minutes or so, the myoglobin receives oxygen and the meat turns bright, cherry red. Is brown ground beef safe to eat if it's cooked properly? . After storing ground beef in your refrigerator or freezer for short period, it changes color. But, if the smell is strong enough to make you wrinkle your nose, you know its time to toss it. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. At her shop, she often offers to vacuum-seal meat, which will stabilize it for four to five days longer.. One of the characteristics of contaminated food is that it displays no signs of being harmful. Whether you're cooking for yourself or for a family, these easy dinners are sure to leave everyone satisfied and stress-free. If the surface is no longer red and has a dark gray color, it's been exposed to too much air; this could mean that the ground beef has already gone bad. Regardless what color the beef is, two weeks is entirely too long to refrigerate ground beef. Nonetheless, always discard ground beef that is brown or gray in color on the exterior. When you see brown or dull grey then it has spoiled and no longer safe to cook or serve. If the meat smells foul or sour, then it needs discarded. So, while the outer layer of ground beef may be red (as you would expect), a gray or brown interior tells you that this part of the meat simply hasn't had access to oxygen. Once ground beef fails to pass the smell test, it is no longer safe for consumption. 3 Ways to Tell If Your Ground Beef Is Bad Check the Color Surprisingly enough, the color of ground beef isn't enough to raise the alarm. The color of ground beef may vary for several different reasons. "If the meat is sticky or super slimy, throw it away. If your ground beef is gray, slimy, or smelly, it's spoiled. Other bacteria cause spoilage. You will need: -Ground beef -Refrigerator -Kitchen . Here are some tips on how to tell when ground beef is going bad: If the ground beef seems dry and crumbly, it may not be safe to eat. People should pay close attention to the color, texture, smell, and expiration date of ground beef. Inspect the texture It is unsafe and should be thrown out. Sometimes with an aroma like milk that has gone off. Ground beef can turn brown in the absence of oxygen. Surprisingly enough, the color of ground beef isnt enough to raise the alarm. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. That's why meat turns a bright red color on the outside while the inside remains brown. That grayish color on the inside is okay. Because it looks so nice, most butchers use a special plastic wrap that allows some oxygen to get through, giving the top layer of your ground beef a bright, red color. If the meat in your refrigerator has a strange smell or color, it's best to throw it away. Whether you're whipping up some tasty nachos or your award-winning chili, ground bee. First, always shop for ground beef last. No one wants to ingest bad beef, but sometimes distinguishing the difference between fresh or spoiled ground beef can be challenging. But that does not mean the meat has spoiled, adds the USDA. If your package of ground beef is grayish all the way through and does not turn red when exposed to air for fifteen minutes or so, it is most likely spoiled. It has a whole page devoted to ground beef, how to store it safely, and how to cook it. In this article, we will look at the best way to preserve ground beef to keep it tasting fresh, how to identify if your ground beef has gone bad, and other . When this pigment is exposed to air, it turns bright red. In general, ground beef will retain the best flavor and quality before this date elapses. From chips and dip to one-bite apps, finger foods are the perfect way to kick off a party. How can you tell if steak has gone bad? MyRecipes is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation All Rights Reserved. As mentioned above, consuming ground beef is unsafe to consume because it could contain microbes which are likely to result in food poisoning. Though spoiling bacteria will ruin the ground beef, they are not toxic to human health. According to the USDA, this color is a result of the protein in meat called myoglobin, which turns into oxymyoglobin and produces a vivid red color when it comes into contact with oxygen. You've probably pre-formed hamburger patties start to turn gray on the outside, but remain red or pink inside. If youve stored it safely in the fridge and the chicken isnt slimy or has a foul smell, it should be fine to use. Store your ground beef immediately in the freezer if you do intend to cook it right away. The color of ground beef may vary for several different reasons. Spoiled meat will have a distinct, pungent smell that will make your face scrunch up. In addition, as ground beef spoils, its color might shift from the typical rust-red tint (which is created by iron, the same element that gives blood its color) to a flat gray color, which is less appealing. This will also happen to any beef you store in the freezer. Green ground beef is no good; get rid of it. )(new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=bd5526af-9c84-429a-baca-e1c4e1072ef9&cid=877050e7-52c9-4c33-a20b-d8301a08f96d'; cnxps.cmd.push(function () { cnxps({ playerId: "bd5526af-9c84-429a-baca-e1c4e1072ef9" }).render("7917806a0d7f4109a1cb2a4492c81a1a"); }); That said, if the top layer of beef has turned gray or brown (and it was never frozen), its time to throw the package out. If you have stored your ground beef for an extended amount of time and it turns brown, has a rancid odor, or is slimy, it should not be consumed. More importantly, never consume expired ground beef. If the beef is not handled properly, or its too old, pathogenic bacteria can grow and lead to some unpleasant food poisoning symptoms. Heres everything fit to print about knowing whether your ground beef is safe or not. If it has an offputting smell or color, do not purchase it. Fresh ground meat will only have a fresh meat smell that does not smell questionable. Yes, ground beef that's pink on the inside can be safe to eatbut only if the meat's internal temperature has reached 160F throughout. Color - Rotten meats will also undergo a slight change in color. Here are 4 simple ways to tell if your ground beef has gone bad. Meat is full of a pigment called myoglobin, which is responsible for delivering iron and oxygen to muscles. Refrigeration and Food Safety. U.S. Department of Agriculture. Spoilage also increases the likelihood that pathogens will be present in the ground beef. Its perfectly safe to eat, although you should be aware that the color indicates it has been previously frozen or its sat in the package for a while. Healthy and fresh ground beef should be a bright shade of red. If the fresh ground beef has been vacuum packed and is maintained from oxygen, its color should be a sort of purplish red. Raw ground beef cannot sit out for more than 2 hours or 1 hour in 90 degrees F. However, it has a longer shelf life if you can use the refrigerator and the freeze-ground meat for 2-3 months. If it is slimy or sticky, it is probably bad. Most of the meat's color comes from a pigment called myoglobin. When the burgers have a temperature of [], [] How To Tell If Ground Beef Is Bad []. For example, if . Food Spoilage and Food Pathogens, Whats the Difference? According to Food52, ground beef can technically keep for up to 12 months in the freezer, but if you want to avoid any flavor loss or freezer burn, three to four months is best. Health Conditions. Do not leave ground beef sitting out at room temperature for more than two hours, and always refrigerate leftovers within two hours. It is best to discard any ground beef that has these characteristics. At this point, it is still pretty much edible, although it may not be as tasty as red ground beef. However, the freshness and quality of the taste of the beef will begin to deteriorate after four months in the freezer. Fresh ground beef typically appears a robust red color in display cases. will cause the meat to crumble. You can season ground beef with your favorite herbs or spices and portion it into individual patties. What does bad beef smell like? The smell is sometimes putrid or rancid. What yall think. Unlike steaks, ground beef spoils much faster. Head straight home and get the ground beef into the refrigerator as soon as possible. When this pigment is exposed to air, it turns bright red. This is caused by bacteria deteriorating the meat cells and may . First, over time, the surface of the beef can become dry. Cut thin slices of lemon and drop them in this mixture. All that ground beef underneath the top layer has no access to oxygen, so it turns an unappealing color of gray. One quick way to determine if ground beef has spoiled or is good to eat is by looking at the color of the meat. Do You Really Have to Refrigerate Butter? Betsy Petrick is a journalist and fact checker with more than 35 years of experience editing, producing, reporting, researching, and writing. However, spoiled beef will typically have a slimy texture and a sticky feeling. In fact, meat only turns red when a pigment within it called oxymyoglobin is exposed to oxygen, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Getty Images "All beef, including ground. These pathogens may lead to foodborne illnesses such asE. coli or salmonella. If its gone bad, the beef will be slimy and sticky, and it wont crumble as easily. Spoilage bacteria can cause meat or poultry to turn a dark color, develop an objectionable odor, and become slimy, according to a knowledge article on the USDAs website. Scientifically speaking, color changes from oxidation are normal, but it's also a sign that your meat might be starting to spoil, so you should definitely investigate further before cooking it. Ground beef that has fuzzy hair-like grey, blue, or green patches is no longer safe to eat. If there is a strong smell, avoid eating it. The key to determining if ground beef is undercooked is to check the temperature and make sure that it is not over-cooked. Refrigerated or frozen for more than three months Storage for too long can also make ground beef lack freshness. Eating bad ground beef is not fun. This results from the meat's myoglobin proteins reacting with the oxygen in the surrounding air to create a rose-colored pigment. After years of working in professional kitchens, Lindsay traded her knives in for the pen. Oxygen interacting with the outside of the meat keeps it pink. If you want to know why brown ground beef tastes different from lean ground beef, read on to find out how it was made. Bad ground beef can smell like rotten eggs or give another foul odor. You can also place the ground beef into an airtight damage-free plastic bag and submerge it in cold water. Though ground beef is a popular meat, it's also highly perishable. What happens if you forgot your ground beef or chicken breasts in the fridge for a couple of days? Or does it have a bad smell? Another thing you can look for before you open the packaging is excess moisture. That just means it hasn't been exposed to much oxygen because of its vacuum-seal packaging. Bacteria can cause the ground beef to spoil, or it can taint the food. Fresh ground beef has a moderately solid texture that separates into pieces when its squeezed. Bad meat will have a sour smell, almost like spoiled milk. How Food Gets Contaminated - The Food Production Chain. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. When you are ready to use them, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator. How To Tell If Ground Beef Is Bad There are four ways you can detect if the meat has a few issues: Check the color Raw ground beef should be consumable if it is red or greyish brown. If you're looking for a simple recipe to simplify your weeknight, you've come to the right place--easy dinners are our specialty. Smell. If they're kept anywhere between 40 and 140 degrees for too long, it could attract bacteria that cause food-borne illnesses. No forks or spoons required, justeasy-to-pick-up party foods, so you can clean up in no time. Follow these three steps. On the other hand, both cooked and raw ground beef that is sticky or slimy has most likely spoiled and needs to be thrown in the trash. Either cook it or freeze it within a day or two of buying it. ), If you are using the meat for burgers, you can plan ahead and season the meat, form it into patties, transfer the patties to freezer bags, and freeze them. Packaged meat might have a darker purple-red color, and that's okay. Wet and juicy is OK, but you never want your meat to be slimy to the touch," advised Peisker. While she spends most of her time writing these days, she still exercises her culinary muscles on the regular, taking any opportunity to turn local, seasonal ingredients into beautiful meals for her family. Signs that ground beef has gone bad include an off odor, slimy texture, and a brownish color. Ground beef is brown on the outside and pink on the inside - What it means and what to do Because the grinding process exposes the meat to oxygen, it exposes the meat to bacteria. Generally, ground beef should be relatively dry in its packaging, so if there's water rolling around in the packaging, it may be a bad sign. Sun, Xiang Dong, and Richard A. Holley. Super-fresh meat can look purple, in fact. When properly stored in airtight containers, leftover ground beef is good for three to four days. On the other hand, the expiration date, which may be labeled as the best before date, gives you an estimated date as to when the food is most likely to begin spoiling. Not all red meat is the same color, though color is influenced by many factors for the animal raised for the meat, including: Prolonged exposure to air and light will also darken meat that starts out bright red. What are the signs that ground beef is now bad? 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