Fresh ground meat will only have a fresh meat smell that does not smell questionable. What if all of my beef is gray? Food Spoilage and Food Pathogens, Whats the Difference?. Michigan State University. As long as your ground beef shows no signs of spoilage (rotten odor, mold growth, sticky or slimy feel) while experiencing a color change. When properly stored in airtight containers, leftover ground beef is good for three to four days. Smell. Freeze or refrigerate within 2 hours after you purchase it. Though ground beef is a popular meat, it's also highly perishable. Like the smell test, the expiration or sell-by date is also a clear indicator of whether ground beef is fresh or not. This makes the color of brown ground beef darker than the color of lean ground beef. Whether you're whipping up some tasty nachos or your award-winning chili, ground bee. Make sure the burgers are submerged and the water is changed every 30 minutes.Note: It has to be cold water. Therefore, it will spoil faster than large cuts of beef such as brisket. 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. And clean and sanitize all kitchen surfaces and utensils. The key to determining if ground beef is undercooked is to check the temperature and make sure that it is not over-cooked. 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. 6 However, if the ground beef is brown or has a greenish tinge, this may mean that the meat has gone bad. Bad meat will have a sour smell, almost like spoiled milk. Get our best recipes, grocery finds, and clever kitchen tips delivered to your inbox. . 2. This will also happen to any beef you store in the freezer. As with red meat, the color variations in raw poultry can result from differences in diet, breed, exercise, and age. If you haven't temperature-abused it, if you haven't left it in the car or set it out on the counter, you're probably in good shape." 2) Smell it. Brown Color Inside Packages of Ground Beef. 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. As mentioned above, consuming ground beef is unsafe to consume because it could contain microbes which are likely to result in food poisoning. This color change occurs as the bacteria break down the iron compounds in the meat. If it smells rancid or sour, it is probably bad. It's from a lack of oxygen being to the center of the meat. 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. Grinding the meat stimulates the formation of tiny pockets of air all over the meat. 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. 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. HarperCollins. 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. 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. Contamination can lead to foodpoisoningand is often caused by salmonella or e.Coli. Is white ground beef bad? Symptoms can occur anywhere from one hour to 72 hours from consumption and generally last less than a week. However, cooks need to be careful because ground beef is highly perishable. Oxygen interacting with the outside of the meat keeps it pink. . Ground beef goes bad much quicker than steak. The smell is caused by the gases produced by the bacteria. After storing ground beef in your refrigerator or freezer for short period, it changes color. Smell the ground beef when you remove it from the package. When this pigment is exposed to air, it turns bright red. Ground beef can turn brown in the absence of oxygen. 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. Fresh beef will have a slight smell, but beef starting to go bad will smell rotten or sour. Read on to know how to identify bad ground beef. Getty Images "All beef, including ground. Fresh beef will have a slight smell, but beef starting to go bad will smell rotten or sour. ago Normal for any ground beef 598 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. It will change from a red color to a brown shade. This is a normal change during refrigerator storage. First thing: Fresh meat, like fresh fish, has no smell. This is normal, and is the result of a lack of oxygen. Do you need to scrap your plans for burgers or chicken for dinner? First things first: The USDA is the best first stop for food safety. Grinding the meat exposes it to oxygen, causing it to go bad more quickly than a whole-muscle steak. Even if they did, it would mostly just taste and smell very bad. When the burgers have a temperature of [], [] How To Tell If Ground Beef Is Bad []. In contrast, if been sits in the refrigerator for five days, it may be brown in appearance because of oxidation. 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. But it is likely to go bad faster than other cuts of meat, which can ruin the taste and make people sick. Smell the beef to see if you notice a sour smell. Color is not always an indicator of ground beefs freshness. However, you must start as soon as you walk in the door. 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. Sun, Xiang Dong, and Richard A. Holley. Cook the meat the day you bring it home or freeze it. If your ground beef is gray, slimy, or smelly, it's spoiled., To avoid wasting food, take action when you purchase ground beef. If you see mold, throw it away. Meat is full of a pigment called myoglobin, which is responsible for delivering iron and oxygen to muscles. Cook ground meat immediately you bring it home from the butchery to prevent growth of harmful bacteria. Being proactive is the only way to keep your ground beef fresh. Proper handling and storage of ground beef is the best way to prevent it from going bad. Oxygen is one of the major players that keeps some species of bacteria thriving. Why does ground beef turn brown? Nope! 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. In contrast, spoiled ground beef has a sharp, rotten, tangy smell. One of the characteristics of contaminated food is that it displays no signs of being harmful. After passing the look and touch tests, then it's time to use your nose. When this happens, bacteria can quickly grow on the beef. You may have noticed that sometimes that packet of ground beef stored inside your freezer may change color from a pinkish-red to a greyish-brown. Start by inspecting the package at the store. Handling and storing ground beef properly are vital to preventing foodborne illness. If the meat in your refrigerator has a strange smell or color, it's best to throw it away. If the meat smells foul or sour, then it needs discarded. Furthermore, always select a package of ground beef that is cold to the touch and free of tears or scratches. No forks or spoons required, justeasy-to-pick-up party foods, so you can clean up in no time. If the ground beef has a strong odor, is sticky, or has a slimy texture, it is best to throw it away. 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 starting to turn grey-ish brown, it's likely from lack of oxygen. It was totaly frozen and is now pinkish. However, how do we know when its gone bad. It is best to discard any ground beef that has these characteristics. Last Update: October 15, 2022. . Whether you make burgers or freeze your ground beef as it is, that your ground beef in the refrigerator overnight. This color change occurs as the bacteria break down the iron compounds in the meat. Fresh raw ground beef is usually red due to its healthy levels of oxymyoglobin. Is it still safe to eat, and what causes this? 2.. 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. The Best Buns For Burgers [Includes Creative Alternatives]. Be on the lookout for ground beef that smells rotten or sour. Why does ground beef smell bad when it spoils? It is made by grinding together beef muscle tissue and fat. Edell, Dean M.D. If you're getting your meat at the butcher counter, select beef with a bright red cherry color, suggests Food Network. Breast Cancer; IBD ; Migraine; Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Rheumatoid Arthritis; Type 2 Diabetes; Sponsored Topics; If they're kept anywhere between 40 and 140 degrees for too long, it could attract bacteria that cause food-borne illnesses. Ground beef that has fuzzy hair-like grey, blue, or green patches is no longer safe to eat. Your hands really are the best kitchen tools as you can describe different sensations by touching something with your hands. What Does Bad Ground Beef Look Like. After beef has been refrigerated for about five days, it may turn brown. Coloring can also indicate spoilage. 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. good looking ground beef Food Spoilage and Food Pathogens, Whats the Difference? If it is brown or gray, it is probably bad. The odor, color, texture, and expiration date can be used to tell whether your ground beef is good or bad. Wash your hands with hot soapy water thoroughly after touching ground beef. Read our, Guide To Internal Temperature for Burgers. A tainted burger can appear, and in fact be, perfectly "fresh. MyRecipes is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation All Rights Reserved. Follow these three steps. Now you will have burgers on hand whenever you need them. Is it OK to eat GREY ground beef? 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. Oxygen can not get to the middle of the package and it will start to turn brown. Squeezing the beef between your fingers (I know, gross, right?) February 25, 2020. You want your ground beef to be red in color. Ground beef . Always separate raw meat from other items in your cart to prevent cross-contamination. Bad ground beef can smell like rotten eggs or give another foul odor. What Are Sodium Nitrate and Sodium Nitrite? Not only do both bacteria affect the smell of ground beef, but they also affect the taste. Packaged meat might have a darker purple-red color, and that's okay. These pockets are a seedbed for bacteria. Do not leave ground beef sitting out at room temperature for more than two hours, and always refrigerate leftovers within two hours. These germs are also responsible for determining when it goes bad. That just means it hasn't been exposed to much oxygen because of its vacuum-seal packaging. They do affect the aroma and flavor of the meat. Do not taste the ground beef to see if it is still good, as this could make you sick. bad looking ground beef You may see some brown in the middle of prepackaged ground beef which can be normal. What yall think. It's not time to run back to the store and demand a replacement package. Spoilage also increases the likelihood that pathogens will be present in the ground beef. 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. Pathogens are extremely different because they cannot visibly be detected. [] right; you can cook ground beef or poultry, beef, veal, pork, poultry, lamb, and fish to rare, medium-rare, medium, medium well, [], [] course, you can cook burgers on an offset smoker. If the fresh ground beef has been vacuum packed and is maintained from oxygen, its color should be a sort of purplish red. Eating bad ground beef is not fun. I have some thawing in the fridge and forgot about it. Bacteria can cause the ground beef to spoil, or it can taint the food. MyRecipes.com is part of the Allrecipes Food Group. 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. If your ground beef is gray, slimy, or smelly, it's spoiled. Signs that ground beef has gone bad include an off odor, slimy texture, and a brownish color. In ground beef, the signs you'll detect will depend on how badly spoiled it is. Bacteria goes into a state of suspended animation. This means that bacteria that accelerate the rate of spoilage can be present in beef. Or does it have a bad smell? Be sure to peek at the expiration date, too. The biggest risk factor when it comes to ground beef is Salmonella and E. coli. Grinding beef into ground meat allows it to come into contact with oxygen. Now, use this mixture to clean your utensil. Be sure to use or freeze the ground beef by the expiration date. Grinding meat exposes more surface area to oxygen during the grinding process. If your ground beef has a sell-by date, tells the distributor how long they can sell or have a product on display. If you have less time to thaw, place the baggie in a casserole dish in the sink and run cold water over it. Also, if the ground beef has any areas that are tinted white or blue, this can indicate mold and should be thrown out. You can't tell if meat is properly cooked by looking at its color or juices. However, it's fairly common to see ground beef that has turned brown or grey on the inside of the chunk of meat. These dates give you a clear time frame of what date to use your ground beef by. From red meat to poultry, heres why meat can change color and what it means. Danilo Alfaro has published more than 800 recipes and tutorials focused on making complicated culinary techniques approachable to home cooks. Texture - In addition to an unpleasant scent, spoiled meats can be sticky or slimy to the touch. When you see brown or dull grey then it has spoiled and no longer safe to cook or serve. 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. When this pigment is exposed to air, it turns bright red. 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. The odor is created by the gases released by the bacteria during their metabolism. 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. Spoiled meat will have a distinct, pungent smell that will make your face scrunch up. Most of the meat's color comes from a pigment called myoglobin. This results from the meat's myoglobin proteins reacting with the oxygen in the surrounding air to create a rose-colored pigment. First, over time, the surface of the beef can become dry. "Different meat has different smells," said . Most Common Foodborne Illnesses. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Vacuum-sealed ground beef that has not been exposed to the air will have a purplish burgundy color. )(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. Even if it's bright red or pink on the outside, the inner portions might look brown or even gray. Texture: Raw ground beef should be firm and break apart if squeezed between your fingers. 2. Christine graduated from Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, France, and she has worked at Cook's Illustrated and CHOW.com. age (an older animal produces darker-colored meat) Prolonged exposure to air and light will also darken meat that starts out bright red. In addition to this, the smell test also applies to cooked and raw foods. Prepackaged ground beef develops a brown color on the inside because oxygen is not able to reach the center. Ground beef is brown on the outside and pink on the inside - What it means and what to do The only problem? However, this is because it has not been exposed to air, but this does not mean the meat has spoiled. Good quality, unspoiled ground beef bought from the supermarket should be. Ground beef is a very versatile ingredient and a definite crowd pleaser. Step 2. Signs of foodborne illness from bad ground beef include stomach cramps or pain, vomiting, diarrhea, chills and/or fever. Smell is the first indicator followed by color. 3 Ways to Tell If Your Ground Beef Is Bad. 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. 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). Refrigerated or frozen for more than three months Storage for too long can also make ground beef lack freshness. Jarvie, Michelle. Sealed bags of ground beef can have a darker purplish-red color and that's okay! Bad ground beef can have bright red color in the middle when broken and light brown on the outside. What Are Pasteurized Eggs and Are They Better? ago Also some places use carbon monoxide to keep the meat pink longer. The texture should also change - sometimes it will be smooth, other times it will be tough. Its not fun, and foodborne illness can be dangerous for the very young or old or those with compromised immune systems. Unlike steaks, ground beef spoils much faster. You will need: -Ground beef -Refrigerator -Kitchen . How to tell if cooked ground beef is bad? 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. Fresh raw ground beef doesnt really have a distinguishable smell. 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. When Purchasing: When selecting your ground beef, look for beef with a bright cherry-red color, not brown. Copyright 2022 Meredith Corporation. Another thing you can look for before you open the packaging is excess moisture. Poultry can also change in color when frozen. 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. Youll also want to be on the lookout for other colors, like white or blue, which could indicate mold has started to grow. Excerpt: Does it turn the color grey? Smelling food is one of the simplest and quickest methods to determine whether ground beef has spoiled. It's normal for the inside of ground beef to appear brown or even grey. 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.". Get daily tips and expert advice to help you take your cooking skills to the next level. Eating meat that has gone off, or is slimy, can cause food poisoning. Bad ground beef looks dry, crumbly, and brown. Do You Really Have to Refrigerate Butter? Fresh ground beef should smell neutral, with a light iron aroma. Surprisingly enough, the color of ground beef isn't enough to raise the alarm. First, always shop for ground beef last. Same deal if it starts to feel slimy or tacky to the touch: If in doubt, toss it. More importantly, never consume expired ground beef. Oxygen hasn't touched it to turn it red if the interior is gray. Now you can make all the burgers, lasagnas, meatloaves, and meat pies your heart desires! Inspect the texture Meat has pigment called oxymyoglobin which, when oxygen gets at it, turns the meat bright red. Wet and juicy is OK, but you never want your meat to be slimy to the touch," advised Peisker. Ignoring storage time, regarding color, brown meat is as safe to eat as red meat. No one wants to ingest bad beef, but sometimes distinguishing the difference between fresh or spoiled ground beef can be challenging. 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. Other bacteria cause spoilage. Prepackaged ground beef develops a brown color on the inside because oxygen is not able to reach the center. 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. Beef that's gone bad has a sour smell. (Freezing does not kill the bacteria that cause spoilage or food poisoning, but it does slow down the reproductive cycle. The Big Thaw Safe Defrosting Methods for Consumers. U.S. Department of Agriculture. Meat with these characteristics should not be used.. As the U.S. Department of Agriculture points out, it's common for the inside portion of packaged ground beef to become more brown or gray in color, even while the outside remains red. Furthermore, cooked ground beef can also spoil even if it is stored properly. Refrigeration and Food Safety. U.S. Department of Agriculture. As a certified meat scientist, Yancey has a few helpful hints for the ground-beef-obsessed (guilty): 1) "Look at the date. 3. Serve cooked ground beef immediately or refrigerate it within two hours of cooking. How can you tell if steak has gone bad? Super-fresh meat can look purple, in fact. 11, 2012, pp. 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. Sometimes with an aroma like milk that has gone off. 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. Health Conditions. ", 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. However. 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. According to the USDA, frozen ground beef will keep indefinitely. Place the ground beef on a shelf by itself to avoid cross-contamination. 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. 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. When you break apart the ground beef you bought, you may see some gray on the inside. The meat has no off smells, texture changes, or discoloration. People should pay close attention to the color, texture, smell, and expiration date of ground beef. Additionally, you can also cook it and freeze it. At this point, it is still pretty much edible, although it may not be as tasty as red ground beef. When you are ready to use them, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator. That grayish color on the inside is okay. It will turn brown . If you want to know why brown ground beef tastes different from lean ground beef, read on to find out how it was made. The Spruce Eats uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. If ground meat passes the visual test, the next step is to touch it. The interior of fresh ground beef however isn't exposed to oxygen, therefore it isn't red, but a greyish brown color. Oxygen is one of the primary sources of sustenance for the tiny bacteria that cause food poisoning. "If the meat is sticky or super slimy, throw it away. You've probably pre-formed hamburger patties start to turn gray on the outside, but remain red or pink inside. 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 . 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. Factors such as oxygen, light, temperature, and microbial growth may all influence the color of beef. But, if the smell is strong enough to make you wrinkle your nose, you know its time to toss it. . Heres everything fit to print about knowing whether your ground beef is safe or not. You can also place the ground beef into an airtight damage-free plastic bag and submerge it in cold water. Poultry should be anywhere from a bluish-white to yellow in color. Cook ground beef to an internal temperature of 160F Storage For best storage results, always go for fresh ground beef. The color of ground beef may vary for several different reasons. Discard the ground beef if you notice a rancid odor to prevent consuming . Bad ground beef also usually develops a slimy or sticky feel. Ground Beef and Food Safety. U.S. Department of Agriculture. Even though bacteria that cause ground beef are generally harmless, other microbes may cause diseases such as food poisoning. Wondering how to tell if ground beef is bad before you use it for your favorite ground beef recipe? and brownish gray color. Brown Color Inside Packages of Ground Beef. Texas A&M University. This is a clear indicator that the ground beef is beginning to spoil. 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. Another great way to tell if ground beef is bad is by . 55+ Easy Dinner Recipes for Busy Weeknights. Either cook it or freeze it within a day or two of buying it. To remove strong odours of meats after cooking, make a mixture of two tablespoons of baking soda with 4-5 tablespoons of vinegar. 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 . That's why meat turns a bright red color on the outside while the inside remains brown. Additionally, from the grocery store, head directly to your home. At her shop, she often offers to vacuum-seal meat, which will stabilize it for four to five days longer.. How Food Gets Contaminated - The Food Production Chain. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. I always tell customers, your nose knows, says Sanchez. Ground beef may be refrigerated and consumed for up to 2 days past the sell-by date. Meat is full of a pigment called myoglobin, which is responsible for delivering iron and oxygen to muscles. This pigment is the result of the protein myoglobin interacting with oxygen. From chips and dip to one-bite apps, finger foods are the perfect way to kick off a party. She lives in San Francisco and loves teaching cooking classes. Regardless what color the beef is, two weeks is entirely too long to refrigerate ground beef. 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. 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. A hint of an off odor can indicate that the meat has expired. Ground beef is a popular food. Youve probably pre-formed hamburger patties start to turn gray on the outside, but remain red or pink inside. A simple sniff test will confirm that for you. ), 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. Green ground beef is no good; get rid of it. The off-color doesn't automatically mean that the ground beef is bad, says K-State Research and Extension food safety specialist Karen Blakeslee. [But] if its gray throughout and you dont see natural muscle colors, it might be time to toss it. She parries that with meat that was gray, but still smelled and felt right, she might toss into a chili and cook the heck out of it, but wouldnt serve it in a medium-rare hamburger. To destroy harmful bacteria, cook ground beef to a safe minimum internal temperature of 160 F (71.1 C). Flimsy Texture. Spoilage is also caused by bacteria, but the bacteria that cause spoilage will not make you sick. If it is slimy or sticky, it is probably bad. Learn how to tell if salmon is bad and how to tell if chicken is bad. The easiest way to see whether your meat has spoiled is to check its color. Follow these three steps. Here are 4 simple ways to tell if your ground beef has gone bad. Ground beef is a versatile meat that may be a staple item in many people's diets. 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. Factors such as oxygen, light, temperature, and microbial growth may all influence the color of beef. Even if that date is two or three days in the future, pay no attention to it. Frozen ground beef can be difficult to assess for spoilage, as it changes in color and texture when frozen. How do you get rid of beef smell when cooking? Is My Ground Beef Still Safe to Eat if It Has Changed Color? If you're looking for a simple recipe to simplify your weeknight, you've come to the right place--easy dinners are our specialty. Color changes can also occur if raw meat is frozen, where it can fade or darken in color. Ground beef can be kept in the freezer at 0 degrees Fahrenheit or lower for up to three months. 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. How to tell if ground beef is bad Fresh ground beef should always be bright red in color. 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. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @alexvanburen. Everybody understands the stuggle of getting dinner on the table after a long day. First, you can check the color of the beef. 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. Blue Rare Steak Guide Everything You Need To Know! An off aroma is a sign of spoilage, especially if you see other signs in the color and texture. It has a whole page devoted to ground beef, how to store it safely, and how to cook it. 2009. However, spoilage also causes changes in the texture, taste, odor, and color of the chicken. Once it starts to grey, it's best to stay away. 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. Surprisingly enough, the color of ground beef isnt enough to raise the alarm. The color of the ground beef may change - sometimes it will be light brown, other times it will be darker. There are several reasons why this occurs. In contrast, bacteria that causers contamination is an unseen threat. However, it could be tainted with harmful bacteria. When meat or even poultry is packaged, the meat on the outside is exposed to more oxygen. It will take on a slight odor if its been in the package for a while and is close to reaching its expiration date. Ground meat normally has a bright red color. Is brown ground beef safe to eat if it's cooked properly? If you use hot or even warm water, you could ruin the meat.. Whether you're cooking for yourself or for a family, these easy dinners are sure to leave everyone satisfied and stress-free. Nonetheless, always discard ground beef that is brown or gray in color on the exterior. However, the freshness and quality of the taste of the beef will begin to deteriorate after four months in the freezer. Ground beef will last about 1-2 days in the refrigerator. Usually, you'll see a sell-by date on the package. If the beef is not handled properly, or its too old, pathogenic bacteria can grow and lead to some unpleasant food poisoning symptoms. One quick way to determine if ground beef has spoiled or is good to eat is by looking at the color of the meat. 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. Then, there's the slightly more complicated issue of discoloration. 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 . The smell is produced from gases made by some of the bacteria on your beef. If its gone bad, the beef will be slimy and sticky, and it wont crumble as easily. Is it safe to eat mince that has turned brown? The color of ground beef may vary for several different reasons. Store your ground beef immediately in the freezer if you do intend to cook it right away. Leftovers should be refrigerated at 40F or colder within 2 hours after preparation. What are the signs that ground beef is now bad? If ground beef starts to turn brown or has a slimy texture, it has gone bad and should be thrown away. Raw ground beef should be bright red on the outside and brownish on the inside. But that does not mean the meat has spoiled, adds the USDA. 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). If it has an offputting smell or color, do not purchase it. 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. Is Brown Meat from The Freezer Bad? . Because the grinding process exposes the meat to oxygen, it exposes the meat to bacteria. When trying to determine if meat has gone bad, you want to look at more than color. If its surface has turned thoroughly brown or gray or grown mold, it has gone bad and should be discarded. andPseudomonasspp. Contamination and spoilage are different and will impact food (and anyone who eats that food) differently. Smell the beef to see if you notice a sour smell. Head straight home and get the ground beef into the refrigerator as soon as possible. This darkening is due to oxidation, the chemical changes in myoglobin due to the oxygen content. Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Healthiness Dr. Dean's Straight-Talk Answers to Hundreds of Your Most Pressing Health Questions. Here are 4 simple ways to tell if your ground beef has gone bad. According to the USDA, "This darkening (of raw beef) is . Taste of Home is America's #1 cooking magazine. The USDA recommends cooking ground beef to an internal temperature of 160F before serving it. 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; . Knowing whether meat has gone bad is tricky. Has the gray meat gone bad? 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. Can cooked ground . Home Recipes Ingredients Meat & Poultry Beef Ground Beef. Since the invention of ground beef, it has been the perfect food for family dinners and game day feasts. However, spoiled beef will typically have a slimy texture and a sticky feeling. 12 MajorAdvantage 10 mo. Check The Smell Spoiled ground beef will have an unpleasant smell after you open the packaging. 340-354.doi/full/10.1111/j.1541-4337.2012.00188.x. If the meat or poultry has a bad odor or is sticky, tacky, or slimy to the touch, its time to pitch it. Fresh raw ground beef is usually red due to its healthy levels of oxymyoglobin. 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. When this pigment is exposed to air, it turns bright red. Finally, you can smell the beef. After years of working in professional kitchens, Lindsay traded her knives in for the pen. 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. After exposure to the air for 15 minutes or so, the myoglobin receives oxygen and the meat turns bright, cherry red. Fresh ground beef will have a bright red color on the surface due to oxygen exposure and appear brown in the inside. 277 TRX808 10 mo. Yes, brown ground beef can be safely eaten if it is cooked thoroughly. It is unsafe and should be thrown out. Is it still safe to eat or should you throw it out? 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. It is used to make delicious foods such as lasagna, meat pies, tacos, meatballs, sausages, and burgers. 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. Follow her latest culinary escapades on, age (an older animal produces darker-colored meat). Ground beef is a fantastic ingredient to have around. Color - Rotten meats will also undergo a slight change in color. In addition to this, if you intend to use your ground beef for burgers, plan in advance. Place the burger patties into a freezer-safe resealable bag with parchment paper separating each burger and freeze them. Color alone usually doesnt indicate poultry has gone bad. Ground beef is a popular food in the United States. Ground beef can spoil, or go bad, if it is not stored properly. 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. If there is a strong smell, avoid eating it. Betsy Petrick is a journalist and fact checker with more than 35 years of experience editing, producing, reporting, researching, and writing. Once ground beef fails to pass the smell test, it is no longer safe for consumption. will cause the meat to crumble. Check the Color. Don't freak out. All that ground beef underneath the top layer has no access to oxygen, so it turns an unappealing color of gray. Fresh ground beef has a moderately solid texture that separates into pieces when its squeezed. It should feel cold to the touch without any holes or scratches in the wrapping, and the meat should be red. For example, if . Healthy and fresh ground beef should be a bright shade of red. These pathogens may lead to foodborne illnesses such asE. coli or salmonella. In general, ground beef will retain the best flavor and quality before this date elapses. We reached out to a butcher and double-checked the USDA to find out. Consequently, you should always toss slimy ground beef or has an off-putting odor as it will not taste great. However, if the ground beef is in any way pale, it may not be safe to eat. If it starts to turn brown, it is beginning to go bad. Cut thin slices of lemon and drop them in this mixture. This pigment is the result of the protein myoglobin interacting with oxygen. If youve stored it safely in the fridge and the chicken isnt slimy or has a foul smell, it should be fine to use. Though it may be alarming, a brown color is common with beef stored in the refrigerator. The smell is sometimes putrid or rancid. What does bad beef smell like? For this reason, it is crucial to know when your ground beef is bad. No, it is not, it can be safe to eat. Featured. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Nonetheless, if it turns brown or gray before cooking, it is pretty dangerous if you eat that patty. This is because most people won't eat food that smells bad or feels slimy. 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 . Ground Beef Turns Brown in Freezer Why has my frozen ground beef changed color? Ground beef can often be seen as a pink or red color because it is cooked through. If that water is a cloudy off-white color, it's likely spoiled. There's even a name for it: myoglobin, which is a protein responsible for the red coloring on the outside of the ground meat. As a result, you may experience diarrhea, including blood, abdominal cramps, fever, nausea, and vomiting. Color: Fresh ground beef is red or pink in color. A meatloaf or a burger can look and smell like it is fresh. If the ground beef is gray on the inside and outside, it most likely has spoiled. Sometimes ground beefs interior may appear to be a greyish brown color. How can you tell if ground beef is bad? Though spoiling bacteria will ruin the ground beef, they are not toxic to human health. Beef . You can season ground beef with your favorite herbs or spices and portion it into individual patties. These bacteria dont affect the color of ground beef (nor the smell), so its important to perform a touch test if the beef is in question. (Learn whether freezer-burned food is safe to eat. You can also check the texture of the beef. Spoiled ground beefs putrid aroma is likely due to the presence ofLactobacillusspp. Please join this discussion about when is ground beef bad within the Diet & Bodybuilding category. Ground beef is a perishable product. 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. It . Usually, your nose will tell you right off the bat, as spoiled ground beef will smell sour. And if you're within the date, you're probably good. What happens if you forgot your ground beef or chicken breasts in the fridge for a couple of days? However, you may have noticed that the smell of bad ground beef can be quite pungent. Pay attention to the color and expiration date. Look for Excess Moisture. The Brilliant Secret to Making Better Mashed Potatoes, 65 Super Easy Finger Foods to Make for Any Party. This will decrease the time that your ground beef remains unrefrigerated. Color changes can also occur if raw meat is frozen, where it can fade or darken in color. Fresh ground beef is firm and springs back easily if you poke it. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, it's normal for ground beef to go through various color changes while it's on your grocer's shelf and in your fridge. Use 80/20 ground beef for best results and cook your burgers at 250F. 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. It can be used to make hundreds of different recipes from varying cuisines, so its versatile enough to satisfy foodies and picky eaters alike. Fresh ground beef typically appears a robust red color in display cases. Another way to tell whether your beef is fresh or spoiled is by touching it. 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. MyRecipes may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Meat is full of a pigment called myoglobin, which is responsible for delivering iron and oxygen to muscles. Consume cooked ground beef within three to four days and reheat it to 165 degrees before consuming it. This is caused by bacteria deteriorating the meat cells and may . Super-fresh meat can look purple, in fact. So, when in doubt, throw it out! When in doubt, its best to throw it out. If it is frozen, it can be consumed since ground beef remains good for 4 months in the freezer. It will also feel tacky to the touch. Posted on Last updated: September 1, 2022. 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. 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. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. When the . 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. In addition to this, always examine the product label before you purchase ground beef. 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. Raw ground beef only keeps in the refrigerator for 1-2 days. It's perfectly normal. Ground beef turning brown sometimes worries people enough they end up wasting otherwise good hamburger. 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