A little tip: if after smelling the ground beef you are left with some doubt in your mind as to whether it is okay or not, ask one of your kids to smell it. It accounts for about 62% of all beef sold in the United States (1). How To Melt Cheddar Cheese In The Microwave 2 Simple And Effective Ways, 15 Awesome Paleo Instant Pot Beef Soup Recipes. Why Does It Take Steak Longer To Go Bad Than It Does Ground Beef? If you reach for the ground beef you purchased 5 or 6 days ago and set in your fridge, you might see a lot of gray. This will kill any bacteria that is present and make it safe for consumption. By consuming potentially spoiled meat, people run the risk of developing food poisoning. Well, think slime when youre testing the health of your ground beef. | Trellis Framework by Mediavine. The USDA recommends that ground beef is cooked to an internal temperature of 160F, or if it was previously cooked, to an internal temperature of 165F. A person can store ground beef in the freezer for up to 4 months. Ground beef can spoil, or go bad, if it is not stored properly. The opposite is true of ground beef that is totally fine. . If you cant find the best before date anywhere on the packaging, check for the sell-by or display until date. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Meat color is regulated (mostly) by a heme ring on the surface of the myoglobin . Inspect its color Outbreaks of food poisoning linked to ground beef are relatively common in the U.S. Bacteria that may cause these outbreaks include Salmonella, Escherichia coli (E. coli), or Campylobacter. Meat that has turned bad will feel sticky, tacky, or slimy and should be thrown out. Another way to tell if ground beef is cooked is by checking the color. After cooking, dont leave the meat at room temperature for more than 1-2 hours. This way, youll know how long meats been frozen when you take it out to defrost. It is made by grinding together beef muscle tissue and fat. Stir it around when it is frying to ensure that all of the beef has browned and not just some of it. These signs could mean that there are pathogenic bacteria like salmonella or E. Coli contaminating your ground beef. How To Tell If Garlic Is Bad! Using a fork or your finger (when it's cool), press a piece of ground beef. Instead, thaw your meat in the fridge for 24-48 hours. Before you put it in the freezer, check to make sure there are no holes in the plastic wrap. Now lets get to the meat of the matter. Here are the health effects of red meat, including possible benefits and downsides of adding it to. Last medically reviewed on December 18, 2019. 2. The hue of the beef indicates that it has gone wrong. There is no better way to tell if the ground turkey is bad! *Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates. It is important for people to be aware of potential signs that may indicate spoilage, such as color, smell, texture, and compromised packaging or storage. Finally, touch the beef. All rights reserved. On the other hand, pathogenic bacteria are dangerous, as they can lead to food poisoning. When Jim isn't in the kitchen, he is usually spending time with family and friends, and working with the HCW editorial team to answer the questions he used to ask himself back when he was learning the ropes of cooking. Click here to learn more about freezing and storing meat. This article explains how to properly take the temperature of meat and discusses the recommended, Food spoilage is often caused by mold, and some types of it can produce harmful toxins. The look of the ground turkey. EVD are similar to those of other viral diseases, such as measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), and chickenpox. Two examples of bacteria that may affect . The interior of raw ground meat may be greyish brown due to a lack of exposure to oxygen. The Rusty Spoon is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. This is a detailed review of beef (the meat from cattle), looking at its nutritional properties and health effects. The smell is caused by the gases produced by the bacteria. By having a good look on its color and smell you can determine that. Ground beef is bad if it looks dull and gray, smells sour and putrid, and has a sticky and slimy consistency. Dont try to have the argument with yourself that you spent good money on it, and you need to have dinner on the table in under an hour. Persistent pinkness can be caused by reducing agents, pH, nitrite contamination, and/or carbon monoxide from gas ovens. Be sure to carefully read the product label when buying ground beef. When I have taken it out of the freezer and thawed it, I have been able to see that the coloring is quite brown throughout, and when I smelled it, it didnt smell the way fresh ground beef does. Ground beef is a type of meat that is typically used in burgers, meatballs, and tacos. Research estimates that around 62% of all beef sold in the U.S. is ground. Spoiled ground beef develops a telltale rancid smell that indicates its dangerous to eat. However, you should be extremely careful as the meat may start to cook if you don't keep a close eye on it. This discoloration suggests that it has started to go bad. If you're not sure whether your ground beef is still good, lean close and smell it. The meat gives off an unpleasant odor. But when they freeze, they go into hibernation. Read on to learn more about safely storing meat and the best practices for storing and freezing different meats. Once it goes bad, its no longer safe to eat. Leaner meats have a tender texture, almost like the inside of your palm. Remember to wash your hands with soapy water for at least 20 seconds after touching ground beef, no matter if its spoiled or not. Ground beef is a popular food in the United States. If ground beef is refrigerated promptly after cooking (within 2 hours; 1 hour if the temperature is above 90 F), it can be safely refrigerated for about 3 or 4 days. Keep raw meat separately in your cart to avoid cross-contamination, or the spread of bacteria to other food items. How long you can keep that steak in the fridge? How Long Will Ground Beef Stay Good When It Is Kept In The Refrigerator? (2019). Thus, it goes bad faster than steak or other larger cuts (2). By correctly and safely handling and storing ground beef, people should be able to avoid spoilage. 2005-2022 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. How Long To Bake A Delicious Ham Per Pound With Every Type? To store the ground beef for longer times, wrap in heavy duty plastic wrap, aluminum foil, or plastic bags made to freeze food. In addition to safe handling and storage of ground beef, people should also ensure they thoroughly cook ground beef to the correct internal temperature to destroy bacteria. How can you tell if ground beef is bad? How to tell if ground beef is bad. Fresh ground beef should be wholesome and red, with varying degrees of white marbling depending on the cut and its leanness. 3 Touch the meat to see if it feels slimy. If ground meat passes the visual test, the next step is to touch it. How To Tell If Watermelon Is Bad, Here Are 5 Foolproof Ways! In order to avoid foodborne illnesses, people should follow the four guidelines laid out by the U.S. Department of Agricultures Food Safety and Inspection Service: People should ensure that their refrigerator and freezer are the correct temperature to keep their food safe. With prolonged storage, these ice crystals escape from the meat, migrate to the coldest part of the freezer, and get replaced by air. 5 Easy Ways To Cook Breakfast Sausages To Perfection. Traits of spoiled ground beef: It will turn from its original red or brown color to . Copyright 2022 The Rusty Spoon | Amazon Associates Program. If it's pink or red, then it's probably not fresh and could be dangerous to eat. My own kids love ground beef. How to Tell If Ground Beef Is Bad Aside from the color, there are two other factors that you can check to determine if a package of ground beef is still OK to eat. Very simply, it will not be a good smell. Gray, brown or green spots on the outside of the ground beef are mold. These clumps indicate that the meat has suffered fromfreezer burn. If there are unusual growths and discoloration, an off-putting smell, and a slimy or sticky texture, it means it has gone bad. However, you must always check that your ground beef isfresh and safe to eatbefore you begin cooking. Salmonella infections linked to ground beef. If cooked ground beef has an off odor and/or a sticky and slimy consistency, throw it away and dont eat it. How long after eating bad meat will you get sick? The most commonly found harmful bacteria in ground beef are Salmonella and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). Keep in mind that the danger zone for growing bacteria on meat is above 40 F. While your ground beef is in the fridge it will be below this temperature and therefore safe from bacteria growth. The best thing to do is discard them, so you can safely use up the rest of the meat. Freezing can further extend its shelf life. The retailer has to sell this meat before the display until date, and the beef should remain fresh if you keep it in a fridge for 1-2 days after this date. When ground beef has gone bad, it smells putrid, like rotting flesh, and sour, like cheap vinegar. From freezer and, Many people believe red meat can harm your health. If you leave it on the kitchen counter overnight, the meat will be overrun with pathogens in the morning. 1. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a2d03ce532e772b4275c93af7c80e595" );document.getElementById("f991c2a919").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Home Cook Worldis a food magazine for those who like to spend time in the kitchen and eat at home. (2020). Like, how could ground beef that has gone bad actually feel different?! Throw away the whole batch if: Your ground beef smells a little sour By the time you get home from work and you are ready to mix up some dinner, a lot of bacteria will have grown on that ground beef. A sell-by date tells the retailer how long a product can be displayed for sale. If you are making something like meatloaf where you need to mix other ingredients into raw ground beef and then cook it after, you must give your ground beef enough time to thaw safely in the refrigerator. If you have kept ground beef longer than the safe storage periods described in this article, or for one reason or another you suspect that it has spoiled, you should err on the side of caution and throw it away. To minimize the time that ground beef is left unrefrigerated, buy it last and head home directly from the store. This is called freezer burn. If you suspect a package of ground beef has been in the fridge a few days too many, refer to our tips on how to tell if its still edible. Additionally, mold can spoil cooked ground beef, so you should toss your leftovers if you notice any fuzzy blue, grey, or green spots (5). But the process of grinding meat exposes a larger surface area of ground beef to potentially harmful bacteria. It's important to know the signs of spoiling ground meat to prevent food poisoning. Well, it depends on your diet and goal. Another way to tell if ground beef has gone bad is by simply smelling it. Consuming spoiled or undercooked beef can make people feel sick, so individuals should try to store, handle, and prepare beef safely to prevent them from getting ill. Gray, however, is not always okay. Good quality, unspoiled ground beef bought from the supermarket should be bright red on the outside. Look for gray and brown blotches on the outer layer of the ground beef, as these are signs that your meat is beginning to decompose and decay. Youre going to use some other senses, too. This may cause unpleasant odors or taste. How To Beat Egg Whites To Stiff, Impressive Peaks Every Time? Second, smell the beef. No wonder so much is purchased every year! Slimy ground beef should be thrown out and never consumed. Per the USDA, leftovers should be cooled quickly, sealed in ziplock bags or food storage containers with the lids closed, and then stored in the fridge, where they will keep for 3 to 4 days. It should also be odor and sticky, and the odor indicates that the meat contains spoilage bacteria. 2. Ground beef that is safe to eat should be reasonably firm yet easily break apart when squeezed. However, spoiled beef will typically have a slimy texture and a sticky feeling. Note, however, that if you've defrosted frozen ground beef, there will be some excess moisture, though it is usually much redder in color. Squeeze the meat in your fingers to feel its consistency. There are signs people can be aware of that may warn them that ground beef is now bad. There are two types of bacteria that grow on ground beef: spoilage bacteria and pathogenic bacteria. Once it starts to grey, it's best to stay away. Weve got you covered. Ground beef may change color due to multiple factors, including temperature, light, microbial growth, and exposure to oxygen (4). In this instance, you wont need to worry if the central section of this ground beef is gray or brown; its just that this area of the meat hasnt had direct contact with oxygen. When in doubt, apply the three checks below. Two examples of bacteria that may affect ground beef are spoilage bacteria and pathogenic bacteria. If a person has stored the meat at too high a temperature, or the packaging is torn or leaking, it is possible that bacteria has contaminated the ground beef. An example of this would be cooking the beef to add to tomato sauce to serve with pasta. Symptoms can occur anywhere from one hour to 72 hours from consumption and generally last less than a week. These Three Signs Mean Your Ground Beef Has Gone Bad. How To Tell When Corned Beef Is Done Plus 3 Foolproof. Spoilage bacteria are generally not harmful but cause food to lose quality and develop a bad odor and taste (3). How can you tell if ground beef is bad? When the frozen beef loses these crystals, it shrinks andbecomes dehydrated. Meat is full of a pigment called myoglobin, which is responsible for delivering iron and oxygen to muscles. Due to this, some people wash meat before preparing it, but this is unsafe. The beef, while it is being ground, comes into contact with oxygen, and we know from our brief science lesson earlier in the article, that when the pigment, oxymyoglobin, that is contained in ground beef, comes into contact with oxygen, a chemical reaction occurs which creates bacteria. If Im honest, there have been times when I have left the hamburger in the freezer longer than I should have. Most at risk for food poisoning are pregnant women, young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. It is best to consume ground beef within 4 months. You can use it to make a delicious bolognese, shape it into patties for home cooked burgers, or fix beef tacos. When you break apart the ground beef you bought, you may see some gray on the inside. To avoid spreading bacteria from one surface to another, wash your hands thoroughly after touching raw meat. Disease-causing microorganisms grow rapidly in food thats been left at room temperature and are more likely to occur in spoiled food (6). The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) do not require there be an expiration date label on any food products except infant formula. Why Is beef still red after cooking? You might liken it faintly to iron. While many infections resulting from these bacteria can be mild, in some cases they can be life threatening. Heating it wont make it any safer to eat, nor will cooking up a new meal with it. It would be so easy to say, If your ground beef smells weird or looks funny, dont eat it, and move on. First, take a look at the color. How Can You Tell If Oatmeal Has Gone Bad Using A Surefire, How To Tell If Broccoli Is Bad 4 Foolproof Way. Sell-by and expiration dates are additional guidelines for determining whether your ground beef is good (7). Now, I have to admit, I am a thrifty sort of person. Put the zip-top bag with the frozen ground beef on a plate in the microwave and, Using the defrost setting, start defrosting for 3 to 4 minutes, flipping the bag over halfway through. Fresh ground beef should have a relatively firm consistency that breaks apart when you squeeze it. Quick Answer: How To Tell If Ground Beef Is Bad? Our ground beef and broccoli recipe preserves all the goodness of the famous Asian beef stir-fry but with a twist in the ingredients. (2014). Here are 4 ways to tell whether your ground beef has gone bad. Whenever you put ground beef in the freezer, mark thecurrent dayon the package. It isnt worth it! The USDA recommends that ground beef be cooked to 160 degrees F (71 degrees C). Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. The beef should be stored at or below 33F. Refrigerator & freezer storage chart. 3. "All beef, including ground beef, is a deep . Your email address will not be published. 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). As a result, ice crystals form and tear up the muscle tissue, causing the meat to dry out and lose flavor over time. If you are making a dish with ground beef that requires it to be cooked before it is mixed with other ingredients, you can cook the ground beef even if it has not thawed completely. In contrast, cuts of beef should be cooked within 3-5 days. Whether you're whipping up some tasty nachos or your award-winning chili, ground bee. It is safe to eat leftover ground beef within four days after it has been refrigerated for 1-2 days. You can also use the defrost buttons on a microwave to defrost ground beef. Home Cook World is a participant in the Amazon Associates, Impact.com, and ShareASale affiliate advertising programs. Raw ground beef should be bright red on the outside and brownish on the inside. One way is to remember what it looked like when you bought it. Schweihofer, J. Furthermore, spoilage makes it more likely for them to be present in your food. Waiting until your beef has an unpleasant odor or signs of spoilage to toss beef isn't necessarily the best option. Look for gray and brown blotches on the outer layer of the ground beef, as these are signs that your meat is beginning to decompose and decay. No, reheating or cooking spoiled ground beef doesnt make it safe to eat again. It's not fun, and foodborne illness can be dangerous for the very young or old or those with compromised immune systems. . Smell If you open the package and are met with an unpleasant smell, that's a sign the meat is beginning to spoil. Spoiled ground beef is dangerous to eat because it may contain pathogenic bacteria, which are responsible for foodborne illnesses. All rights reserved. Always double-checkthe expiration date of your ground beef before deciding whether to eat it. Smell your ground beef Fresh ground beef smells fleshy and new, while rotten ground beef smells foul and off-putting. The interior of fresh ground beef however isn't exposed to oxygen, therefore it isn't red, but a greyish brown color. Proper handling and storing are key to avoiding food poisoning from ground beef. If the ground beef hasnt passed its expiration date and looks, feels, and smells fresh, youll know that itsperfectly fineto cook and eat. Getting that second opinion can be very helpful, and will likely convince you one way or the other. A way to easily tell if ground beef has been cooked long enough is when it has all browned. Cancer treatment shows promise against multiple sclerosis in mouse study, Alzheimer's: Blood test may detect 'toxic' protein years before symptoms emerge, Low levels of vitamin D in the brain linked to increased dementia risk. If only the interior is gray, you can bet that oxygen hasn't touched it to turn it red. In the United States alone, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that every year, 48 million Americans contract food poisoning, 128,000 get hospitalized, and 3,000 die. How to tell if ground beef is bad Check the texture Touch and carefully squeeze your ground beef. If the meats surface is this color, you know that its probablysafe to eat. The time it takes food poisoning symptoms to start can vary. If you're unsure whether your frozen ground beef is still good, there are a few things you can do to check. Surprisingly enough, the color of ground beef isn't enough to raise the alarm. If you want to be completely sure your ground beef issafe to eat, check for all 5 of these signs. 3 Ways to Tell If Your Ground Beef Is Bad. However, . On average, ground beef will last 2-3 days after the sell-by day. If the surface has gotten completely brown or gray, or if mold has developed on it, it has gone rotten and should be thrown away. A few simple techniques, including looking for changes in color, odor, and texture, can determine whether your ground beef has gone bad. How To Tell If Cooked Ground Beef is Bad? How Should Bad Ground Beef Be Disposed Of? You might even see some brown and worse yet, green color on that ground beef. Ground beef can be refrigerated and safely eaten up to 2 days past this date (3, 6). and Lactobacillus spp. However, it is preferable to completely thaw the ground beef in the fridge as this will allow it to thaw evenly and cook more evenly. Heat exposure kills most bacteria, but it doesnt inactivate the heat-resistant toxins that they leave in the meat. Ground beef that has gone bad will be a little slippery, filmy, sticky and tacky. But because there are localized rules surrounding these dates, most food products do tend to have a date on them. From that moment on, it slowly but surely loses quality till you cook and eat it. Most people have a number of health problems. Spoiled ground beef can reveal itself via strange smells and colors. Ground beef is very popular but highly perishable. It is safe for people to consume refrigerated ground beef up to 2 days after this date. Dont take a chance. Therefore, even though spoilage bacteria wont make you sick, you should always discard spoiled ground beef to avoid consuming disease-causing microorganisms. How Long To Smoke A 3 lb Brisket-3 Easy Ways. However, if the texture is sticky or slimy, it might signify rotting bacteria. Spoiled ground beef is slimy and mushy. Keep an eye on the meat; microwave wattages vary and these times are merely a guideline. Pungent Smell Spoiled beef has a bad smell that can make you want to gag. Make sure that you cook all your ground beef at once after youve taken it out of the fridge. Second, the odor should be strong and unpleasant. If you notice any green or blue sections of mold anywhere on the ground beef, get rid of this meat immediately. The indicators of ruined ground beef will vary depending on how bad the meat is rotten to begin with. There are three main ways to tell that ground beef is bad. 6 The slime on the surface is caused by the buildup of bacterial cells. How To Know If Ground Beef Is Bad. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Youre not having ground beef for dinner tonight. Discoloration on the surface of ground beef means it has gone bad. Improperly cooked meat can harbor harmful bacteria. We develop recipes, share cooking tips, and write about cookware and appliances for the everyday cook, with love and care. Whats the Best Substitute for Greek Yogurt? This may be the result of ropy slime-forming bacteria. Around three years ago, I decided to give up my day job as a teacher to pursue my passion for food. Hopefully I have convinced you not to take a risk with your familys health. A person can store ground beef in the freezer for up to 4 months. How Do You Know When Ground Beef Has Been Cooked Long Enough? Freezer-burnt ground beef is still safe to eat, but the parts of the meat that have suffered from freezer burn are no longer appetizing. 7 If it smells funky or off, it's spoiled. It is safe for people to consume refrigerated ground beef up to 2 days past this date. If you freeze the ground beef on the day the sell-by date expires, it will last for 3-4 weeks in the freezer. 7 If it has a nasty or off scent, it has been spoilt. When this pigment is exposed to air, it turns bright red. We all want to feel confident that the food we prepare for ourselves, our family and our friends is healthy, and that there is no danger of anyone falling ill due to something we have served them. Keeping a package of ground beef in the freezer will allow you to keep it for about four months. 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. The number one rule with food that may be bad is, If in doubt, throw it out. This is very important with ground beef. Ground beef is rich in protein and has a lot of moisture (according to the USDA, ground beef contains between 55% and 65% water depending on the leanness), which makes it a formidable breeding ground for bacteria. If beef develops a grayish. Check the color Ground beef may change color due to multiple factors, including temperature, light, microbial growth,. 2. Pathogenic bacteria are more dangerous. It is safe to store ground beef in the refrigerator for 1-2 days, and eat leftovers within 4 days. Accidental Spills. Lastly, you can press the ground beef to see if it is firm. Ground beef is a popular food in the United States. What is the shelf life of beef?Fresh beef will keep for 1-2 days after it has passed its sell-by date, but there are additional factors to consider.The shelf life of beef is determined by a number of factors, including the sell-by date, the cooking technique, and how the beef was stored after purchase.Cattle, particularly domestic cattle, are used as sources of beef throughout the . One quick way to determine if ground beef has spoiled or is good to eat is by looking at the color of the meat. How To Tell When Corned Beef Is Done Plus 3 Foolproof Cooking Methods? To avoid food waste, buy only as much beef as you and your family can cook and eat. Getty Images. This is probably the hardest way to tell if the ground turkey is bad. and Pseudomonas spp., which may also affect the flavor (1). But it is important to remember that pathogenic bacteria may not cause a bad smell. How to tell if ground beef is bad. Multiplying spoilage bacteria can cause a strong odor to occur. If youve ever wondered why food safety experts say that frozen ground beef stays safe to eat forever, this is the answer. People should pay close attention to the color, texture, smell, and expiration date of ground beef. Its not time to run back to the store and demand a replacement package. Even if the garbage has to sit for a while before the garbage truck arrives to pick it up, itll be okay as it will take a number of hours for the frozen ground beef to thaw. Fattier meats feel a little creamy, with a certain pastiness to them from the beef tallow. Ground beef's internal temperature should be 160F ( 71C) when cooked with a food thermometer. Supplements for heart health: Which ones are beneficial and which ones are not? Never leave at room temperature for more than 2 hours. If freezing, it is advisable to eat ground beef within 4 months. You can tell ground beef is bad by checking its appearance, smell, and texture. Here are 4 ways to tell whether your ground beef has gone bad. Try not to eat ground beef thats been in the freezer forlonger than 4 months. To make sure your ground beef is safe to eat, it should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160F. These programs provide means for websites to earn commissions by linking to products. How To Reheat A Frozen Baguette To Warm, Soft Perfection Using Three Ways? If it does, throw the meat away. Sell-by and expiration dates tell you the best time to eat ground beef. On the other hand, meat that looks gray or brown all over (on the inside as well as the top layer) has likely begun to spoil and is not safe to eat. A faintly reddish or metallic odor might be detected on freshly cut red meat.To get a good whiff of this aroma, you will often need to position your nose somewhat near to the source in order to do so.On the other hand, if your steak has gone bad, it will have a distinct odor that smells sour, or perhaps a little bit like eggs or ammonia.This . Thaw frozen beef in the fridge to keep it cold while defrosting. (Sorry, bad pun, but I had to do it)! Fortunately, there are several tips you can use topreserve your raw meat properlyand ensure it doesnt go off in the first place. Manage Settings Allow Necessary Cookies & ContinueContinue with Recommended Cookies. In this article, we will discuss signs to look out for to tell if ground beef is bad and provide tips on how to safely handle and store ground beef. Certain pathogenic microbes, likeListeria and Salmonella,might not emit a strong smell, but they can cause you harm if you eat them. Because ground beef has a short shelf life, it is best to have a plan in place. These bacteria give your beef a very bad smell as they act on it. The most important thing is to apply common sense and trust your senses: Dont leave ground beef, raw or cooked, on the kitchen counter or dining room table for more than 1-2 hours. Ground beef is a versatile meat. (2016). The refrigerator should be at or below 40F (4C) and the freezer at or below 0F (-17C). If you end up eating bad beef, it's important to see a doctor immediately. While many products may feature a best before label, the FDA want to dispel confusion and instead use the term best if used by. Labels such as best before simply refer to how long the product is likely to keep its quality and flavor, not safety. If the meat has been stored in the freezer for an extended period of time, it may have developed freezer burn, which is characterized by dry, white patches on the surface of the meat. If your garbage day isnt for a while, or if its summertime and the weather is hot, and you do not want the garbage to stink, put the bad meat in a sturdy bag and set it in the freezer until garbage day. (Dont do this at home.). You might think that if the ground beef you bought is any color other than red, it isnt good. Smell the meat first, then check it for signs of spoilage and discoloration before touching it to see if you can detect any sliminess. Up next: Yes, you can overcook ground beef (heres how not to). You are not cooking anything with that ground beef. However, a sticky or slimy texture either when cooked or raw may indicate the presence of spoilage bacteria. A steak does not go through any sort of grinding process, so it is not subjected to as much oxygen, and means that it can safely sit in your fridge or your freezer for a longer period of time than ground beef. This feeling makes you raise your eyebrows and you get a strong, almost compulsive need to wash your hands. Ground beef is a versatile meat that may be a staple item in many peoples diets. There are a few things to look for when making this determination. Refrigeration Time According to the USDA, ground meats should be consumed 1-2 days after it is purchased. It should hold its quality for around four months if frozen. This odor can be described as putrid and tangy. When ground beef is fresh, it smells fatty, meaty, and yummy. If this is the case with the meat in your fridge, dont cook and eat it. Fortunately, you can use a few simple ways to tell if your beef has gone bad. 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. 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). In ground beef, the signs you'll detect will depend on how badly spoiled it is. If it smells sour or rancid, it's not good. Pathogenic bacteria arent perceptible to our senses, but they can cause food poisoning. But a sticky or slimy texture may indicate the presence of spoilage bacteria. However, since grinding the meat exposes more of its surface to air, spoilage organisms have more space to attach to it. "Typically with meats, they'll be sticky, slimy, and have off or foul odors." 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). (2019). Ground beef gone bad looks dull and gray, like dead meat. Cook the meat thoroughly to reduce your risk of infection. How To Make Korean Corn Dogs 3 Delicious Ways? 2.5 Step 5 - Calculate How Many Days it has been on the Fridge. This article takes a close look at mold in food and whether. If the texture is slimy or sticky then the beef is not fit for eating. IKEA IDENTISK Wok Review: Is It Any Good. Red meat is a good source of protein and iron, though research has linked it to heart disease, certain cancers, and other health conditions. Its safest to never eat raw or spoiled ground beef. How Can You Tell If Ground Beef Is Bad? Do check the smell of the beef. Here are a few safety tips (3, 12, 13): Remember to wash your hands thoroughly after handling ground beef, and dont forget to your clean kitchen counters and utensils. If you store meat in freezing conditions for longer than 5-6 months, it can develop freezer burn, leading to deterioration in quality and mouthfeel. Refrigerate or freeze it as soon as you get home or within 2 hours of purchase. Applying all three of these tests, smell, feel and look, should provide you with lots of indicators to determine if your ground beef is good or if it has turned bad. You should never thaw ground beef by leaving it on the counter. It usually takes the ground beef about 30 minutes to an hour to thaw using this method. If it feels slimy, it's starting to go bad. 6 The growth of bacterial cells on the surface of the water is what causes the slime to appear. Along with the smell test, you can use your fingers to test if ground beef is off. There are a few ways to determine if ground beef is cooked, but the most reliable way is to use a cooking thermometer. Symptoms include fever, vomiting, stomach cramps, and diarrhea which may be bloody (9, 10, 11). Ground beef is at its best the moment you take it out of the grocery bag or the paper the butcher wrapped it in. How To Tell If Ground Beef Is Bad. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. How to tell if ground beef is bad Signs of spoilage: general appearance, smell, and taste General appearance: The first thing you will want to pay attention to are the visual signs. Here are some ways to tell if your beef is bad or not: 1. If the meat smells sour or unpleasant, it's probably bad and you should discard it. Another great way to tell if ground beef is bad is by . Nevertheless, you should throw away ground beef if it has turned either brown or gray on the outside, as this indicates that its beginning to rot. It is important to always store ground beef properly in the fridge or freezer and consume within its recommended storage time for safety and optimal freshness. Fresh ground beef will feelcold and more compactthan rotten meat. If it's slimy or sticky, it's not safe to eat. Ground beef that is fine to consume should have a relatively firm consistency that breaks apart when a person squeezes it. Spoilage and pathogenic bacteria may both affect ground beef. If you are greeted with a rancid, sort of tangy scent, put it back in the freezer. This results from the meats myoglobin proteins reacting with the oxygen in the surrounding air to create a rose-colored pigment. If a person notices mold on the surface of their ground beef, they should throw it away immediately, whether it be raw or cooked. I do this any time I am wavering on whether the ground beef is okay or if its bad, and my kids always make a judgment call immediately, and with confidence. Another way to check your ground beef is by conducting a touch test. Well, it does. Ground beef should be brilliant red on the exterior and brownish on the interior when it's fresh from the butcher. Dont freak out. Normal, safe, fresh ground beef should not have a noticeable or unpleasant smell. 2004-2022 Healthline Media UK Ltd, Brighton, UK, a Red Ventures Company. For confirming that color change is the indication of bad beef you must consider other signs as well. Keep in mind that the color can vary depending on the type of beef. Ground beef is commonly used to make burgers, meatballs, and sausage, as well as tacos, lasagna, and savory pies. If you don't feel comfortable eating the beef, throw it away. 3. Check the Color. Whats the healthiest meat to buy? Bad ground beef that has been undercooked, contaminated with raw meat juice or left out at room temperature for several hours may become tainted with insidious bacteria. These 9 high-risk foods are the most likely to cause food poisoning. Yes, even worse . Ground beef that has gone bad will be a little slippery, filmy, sticky and tacky. How long can you freeze meat? If frozen, it should keep its quality for about 4 months. Meat that smells good doesnt have a very strong scent and it isnt unpleasant to the nose. Matching search results: A sell-by date tells the retailer how long a product can be displayed for sale. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. How can you tell if ground beef is bad? Luckily, there are somesimple signsto look out for when determining whetheryour ground meatis bad. Remember, its not worth it! Though the bacteria that cause meat to spoil arent generally harmful, other disease-causing microorganisms may proliferate when it goes bad. Keep it in a bag on the lowest shelf to prevent its juices from leaking. If it has turned rust-red or is otherwise slimy, you should discard it. Dont store raw ground beef in the refrigerator for more than 1-2 days and cooked ground beef in the refrigerator for more than 3-4 days. If this isnt the case, theres a good chance that the package of meat in your refrigerator may have spoiled, and is no longer edible. Normal, safe, fresh ground beef should not have a noticeable or unpleasant smell. But freezing is an unforgiving method of food storage, especially when it comes to ground beef. Moreover, dishes made with ground beef are typically well-liked by children. It should be set out to be picked up by the city garbage truck the next day if possible. So if there is not a bad scent but the ground beef is displaying other signs that it has gone bad, it is still advisable to discard the meat. The color of meat depends on myoglobin: Part 1. They may contaminate food and cause a foodborne illness, which can result in food poisoning. How to Know if Ground Beef Is Spoiled If raw ground beef has a gray or brown tint, or if cooked ground beef is pungent or smells sour, it has likely spoiled and should be thrown out. Those other senses are smell, touch, and sight. If the ground beef shows signs of spoilage, dont eat it. Finally, you can smell the beef. Spoilage bacteria alter the smell, taste, and mouthfeel of the meat in a way that makes it disgusting, but theyre generally harmless. 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. This means ground beef with a gray interior is safe to eat. 2. Multiplying spoilage bacteria can. If your ground beef has a sticky or slimy texture when raw or cooked, it has most likely gone bad. Hi, my name is Jess Smith, and I love cooking in my spare time. Yes, you can overcook ground beef (heres how not to). Asian-style stir fries often get a bad reputation for adding too much salt, MSG, and oil. How do you know when ground beef goes bad? Learn more about what meats to eat and, Organ meats, also known as offal, are the commonly unused cuts of meats, such as tails and feet. When ground beef goes bad, it often gives off adistinctive odorthat smells a bit likeammonia. When cooking ground beef, the minimum internal temperature as measured with a food thermometer is 160F (71C). But maybe panic a little f you have ground beef sitting in the freezer - it has more surface area and it spoils way more quickly than whole steak does. Ground beef can be refrigerated and safely eaten up to 2 days past this date (3, 6). It will feel wet, but not slimy, and it will break apart easily in your hands. 5 Signs That Are Easy To Spot. How Long Will Ground Beef Stay Good When It Is Kept In The Freezer? But as those of you whove read this article know already, the answer is a little more nuanced than that. Keep it hot, at 140F (60C) and above, or cool it and store it safely in the refrigerator at a temperature below 40F (4.4C), where it will stay good for 3-4 days. Ground beef has a short shelf life due to processing that encourages bacterial growth. Fresh ground beef feels firm. Got ground beef? It lends itself to numerous dishes that are tasty, and quick to make. When cooking ground beef, the minimum internal temperature as measured with a food thermometer is 160F (71C). This article presents 20 easy ways you can reduce your food waste. If that is the case, run away, run away fast. If you brought home a package of ground beef from the store, and you put it in the fridge right away, it should be good for one to two days. Once it reaches that temperature, it should continue cooking for another 5-7 minutes. If you notice anygreen or blue sectionsof mold anywhere on the ground beef, get rid of this meat immediately. The answer to this question lies in the meats name. This doesnt indicate spoilage. If you see any signs of freezer burn, do not eat the meat. Hypertension: Can 15 minutes of yoga a day help control blood pressure? These toxins are just as likely to cause food poisoning. Food will have the best taste and quality before this date. Outbreaks of infections related to these bacteria occur fairly frequently in the United States (1, 3, 12, 13). It may take several days for symptoms to appear. [U.S. Food and Drug Administration letter to food industry]. How can you tell if ground beef is badif its frozen? You canstore the leftover meatin your fridge or freezer to eat later on. "If you leave ground beef in the refrigerator, eventually it will start to spoil after so many days," Magoulas said. If its surface has turned thoroughly brown or gray or grown mold, it has gone bad and should be discarded. Ground beef is a totally versatile and relatively inexpensive meat. The inside of the meat will likely not have reacted with oxygen, so may be grayish brown in color, but is still perfectly fine to eat. Signs that ground beef has gone bad include an off odor, slimy texture, and a brownish color. It should also be slightly moist. Food poisoning can be very serious, and it's always better to be safe than sorry. By simply looking at it, smelling and using your fingers to touch and feel the texture it's easy to tell if your ground beef has gone bad. If the beef is not handled properly, or it's too old, pathogenic bacteria can grow and lead to some unpleasant food poisoning symptoms. Is ground beef bad if it turns brown in refrigerator? Once the ground beef is no longer pink inside, it is ready to eat. In general, the more quickly you can freeze ground beef, the more taste it will preserve. Learn more, Choosing the best types of meat for a diabetes diet is key to managing diabetes and living a healthful life. Pasta sauce with ground beef, chili con carne, tacos, meatloaf, and of course, thick, juicy hamburgers. But if a person has not correctly or safely stored meat, it is not advisable to eat it beyond the best before date. Meat has pigment called oxymyoglobin which, when oxygen gets at it, turns the meat bright red. Spoilage bacteria has gotten to that meat and you do not want anyone to eat it. Ground beef should also be discarded if it is past the use-by date and if it was not stored properly. If freezing, it is advisable to eat ground beef within 4 months. 2 A Step-by-Step Guide to Spot a Bad Steak. We avoid using tertiary references. If there are, wrap the ground beef with more plastic. Both types of bacteria multiply rapidly at room temperature and more slowly in the fridge. If it has a slimy feel to it, it is beginning to go bad. We have to get a little sciency now. Spoilage bacteria are not generally harmful, but will cause food to lose quality. Learn, Meats contain bacteria that are harmful if they enter the body. It is safe to store ground beef in the refrigerator for 12 days, and eat leftovers within 4 days. Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly so that you do not spread bacteria and contaminate other surfaces. Ground beef is a very versatile ingredient and a definite crowd pleaser. By checking for changes in the color, smell, and texture of the beef, you should be able todetect its freshness. It is important that a person never leaves ground beef out at room temperature for more than 2 hours, as this can cause harmful bacteria to grow. Or store your excess ground beef in the freezer, rotating it every few months for the best quality. It isnt quite as simple as that. If you get your ground beef from the supermarket, keep it sealed in the packaging: if you buy it from the butcher, ask them towrap it upin specialist butcher or freezer paper. The Difference Between a Braise and a Pot Roast. Sometimes ground beef may still be bad,even if it smells fine. This is becausespoilage microbeslike Pseudomonas and Lactobacillus grow and fester in the meat, releasing chemicals that carry this unpleasant aroma. This might be caused by bacteria that produce ropy slime. Meanwhile, the expiration date also labeled as best before tells you when the product is likely to start going bad. READ ALSO:Grass Fed Versus Grain Fed Beef. Gray, smelly and slimy meat should be thrown away. This bacteria can release volatile compounds that may cause slime to form on the surface of the meat. When they smell it cooking, they will always ask me for some before I put in the other ingredients. If that water is a cloudy off-white color, it's likely spoiled. Touch the ground beef. 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