It stayed gray. If the meat is loose within the pouch then air has entered. Even with all the strict measures in place to ensure that quality is maintained throughout the whole meat processing procedure, ocassionally a bad piece of meat makes its way into the system and it is nobodys fault. Ground beef that is brown or gray is still safe to eat, but if it is turning green, you should throw it away. If you don't plan on eating your meat within the FDA-recommended time periods, you can keep your meat from going bad by freezing it at 0 degrees F. The USDA says that freezing food at this temperature inactivates bacteria and other microbes. Sometimes the freezer needs a thorough cleaning before you deodorize it to remove any bacteria or germs. Usually, the slime is clear or light yellow in color but will make the meat appear shinier than usual. In case you let meat at room temperature with no cover, the bacteria density will multiply two times compared to when it is refrigerated and sealed. First, Sidoti advises looking for a change in color. After rinsing and patting dry the meat and allowing it to stand, the natural color should return to the meat within the 30 minutes airing time. "All beef, including ground beef, is a deep purple until it hits oxygen . If you see any signs of leaking juices, or the pouch feels slack against the meat, then there is a good chance that the seal has been compromised and the air has gotten into the pouch and caused the meat to spoil. Read more: Food Poisoning Culprits: Sprouts and 7 Other Risky Foods. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\n<\/p><\/div>"}, U.S. agency responsible for promoting good agricultural practices and protecting consumers. In comparison, rancid meat smells strange. After rinsing and patting dry the meat and allowing it to stand, the natural color should return to the meat within the 30 minutes airing time. A sell-by date tells the retailer how long a product can be displayed for sale. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. If ground meat passes the visual test, the next step is to touch it. As meat goes bad, it usually takes on grayish undertones. Most meat is good for 3-5 days after defrosting, but there are always exceptions. It may not be safe to eat. Dont eat expired or unrefrigerated meat. If you defrosted the meat in a bowl or water or in the microwave, it's no longer safe to refreeze. With over ten years of experience, she specializes in catering, event planning, menu development, meal planning, and food business operations. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. And, if you put the steak on freezer before its use-by-date, make sure to leave enough time for it to thaw and still be safe to eat. The meat has no off smells, texture changes, or discoloration. The Salmonella and the E. coli are destroyed when the meat reaches a 150F temperature. You'll know if you have rancid meat in your fridge because it smells sour, sulfuric or like ammonia. 4. 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). Cooked beef also smells sour and foul when its no longer good to eat. If the meat smells sour or unpleasant, its probably bad and you should discard it. FuriousGrill.com 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. Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter. % of people told us that this article helped them. Yes, it is perfectly fine to eat chicken past the sell-by date. It might also be on the mushy side. If after 30 minutes the meat appears to be a grey or brown unnatural color, and is still giving an offensive odor, then the meat has probably spoiled. What Now? Also, within 30 minutes of opening, any smell should have all but disappeared. Freeze it if you dont plan to eat it anytime soon. Color changes are completely normal for fresh meats, so it is better to know a couple of different ways to help you tell if the steak has gone bad or not. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a8\/Tell-if-Ground-Beef-Has-Gone-Bad-Step-1-Version-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Tell-if-Ground-Beef-Has-Gone-Bad-Step-1-Version-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a8\/Tell-if-Ground-Beef-Has-Gone-Bad-Step-1-Version-6.jpg\/v4-728px-Tell-if-Ground-Beef-Has-Gone-Bad-Step-1-Version-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"
\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Additionally, FuriousGrill.com also participates in other affiliate programs, and we sometimes get a commission through purchases made through our links. Depending on the type of meat, you may need to watch for unpleasant odors, examine its color or texture, and take preventative measures to avoid early spoiling. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Not only will this allow the meat to cook more evenly, but you will find that the vacuum sealing odor has also disappeared. This article was co-authored by Abyssinia Campbell and by wikiHow staff writer, Janice Tieperman. As a general rule of thumb, never leave meat out for longer than 2 hours at room temperature, or for more than 1 hour if it is above 90 F (32 C). Don't take a chance! If it smells rancid, strong, or unpleasant, the meat has probably gone bad and should be thrown away. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Replace food in the freezer and return it to freeze mode, or plug it back in. Cooked meat leftovers: 2-3 months Place the foods you will be keeping inside a cooler or plastic storage bag together, which will help them stay cold. The sickest Ive ever been in 45 years was from eating meat that after its cooked its totally good bullshit. discovered a "tunnel" of gray beef inside the bright red. These are all signs of foods you shouldn't hesitate on throwing out. Sometimes, rubbing the pork in vinegar also helps get rid of the egg-y smell. It accounts for about 62% of all beef sold in the United States (1). Fresh meat should be firm and slightly moist. Approved. Choose a package thats cold to the touch and in good condition, without holes or scratches. I looked it up to see if it was safe to eat. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. ", of action is recommended by you. If the product has been out of the cold chain for more than 30 minutes, or stored at a temperature above 5oC / 40oF then this can allow bacteria to multiply. If your meat has been in the fridge for a few days and you have no plans of using it. If it smells like rotten and rancid, then discard it right away. If you're ever unsure about how long meat is good after defrosting, the best thing to do is to check the package. Have in mind that it is a big difference between the sell-by-date and the use-by-date. To reduce your risk of illness, you should always cook meat thoroughly and avoid eating spoiled or undercooked ground beef. A green or brownish color on the surface is a clear sign that the meat is bad. We have all salivated at the smell of chicken, beef or lamb roasting in the oven. The times mentioned below are what the USDA recommends for storing meat after it has defrosted in the fridge. "Just didn't know what to do if meat smells sour and slightly grey. The best way is to smell and look at the ground beef: signs of bad ground beef are a sour smell and a slimy texture; discard any ground beef with an off smell or appearance, do not taste first. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. On the other hand, pathogenic bacteria are dangerous, as they can lead to food poisoning. This test is probably the easiest and fastest way to determine whether meat has spoiled. Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve. If it is a bit gray on the inside, that's probably fine. This is a detailed review of beef (the meat from cattle), looking at its nutritional properties and health effects. These 9 high-risk foods are the most likely to cause food poisoning. She holds a BASc in Culinary Arts and Food Service Management from Johnson and Wales University. The foul odor is very similar to the sulfur or ammonia smell. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Hot dogs can be kept in the fridge for one to two weeks. How long you can keep that steak in the fridge? Freezing food can even help destroy certain parasites. This article was co-authored by Abyssinia Campbell. If it feels sticky or slimy, it is probably bad. Good website. After that date has passed, there is a good chance it will go bad and spoiled. All rights reserved. Again, it's most likely because it thawed at some point, or was already bad before going in the freezer. If the use-by-date has passed, then it is a clear sign to help you tell if the steak is bad or not. It may take several days for symptoms to appear. [4] Do not press your nose against or near the meat to smell it. Smell is the first indicator followed by color. 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). Yourmeatguide.com 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 / .co.uk, link to How To Choose A Good Butcher To Buy Your Meat From, link to The Advantages Of Using A Butcher If You Love Eating Meat, Safely REFREEZE Meat & Poultry A Detailed Guide. I have had ground beef in the freezer for approximately three months. A Look at the Science, Meat Temperature: A Guide to Safe Cooking, Eating Meat for Weight Loss? These Are the Healthiest Cuts to Choose. 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 ). It's slimy. The red color in meat comes as a result of the protein in meat called myoglobin, which turns into oxymyoglobin and produces a vivid red color when in contact with oxygen. and Pseudomonas spp., which may also affect the flavor (1). wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. A tainted burger can appear, and in fact be, perfectly "fresh." Food spoilage is simply an umbrella term for the various signs that communicate to your senses of smell, sight, or touch, that you should not eat the food. If the chicken has a sour or pungent, noticeably foul smell, go with your gut instincts and throw it out. Changes to color, texture, and smell, along with the expiration date can offer clues. If you think your ground pork is no longer safe to eat, it's time to discard it . I have spent over 30 years in the meat and food industry, predominantly as an independent butcher, having owned my own shop for 10 years until a medical condition forced me to retire from the business. This not only protects the meat from contaminents, but also provides a longer shelf life to the product. Kendrick is an outdoor cooking enthusiast, living in Kansas. Dont leave the meat at room temperature for a long period of time as it increases the risk of spoilage. If you have been unfortunate enough to open vacuum sealed meat that has spoiled but is within its useable date, there are several reasons why this may have occurred.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'yourmeatguide_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_11',168,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-yourmeatguide_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0'); Occasionally a vacuum sealed product can appear to still be sealed, however a tiny air hole may have allowed oxygen to enter the packet. Check The Color Of The Meat. Folks when you buy crap like this its almost always left in a ice chest or 60* portable freezer & is BAD before the days out. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Spoiled ground beef is dangerous to eat because it may contain pathogenic bacteria, which are responsible for foodborne illnesses. Firstly, the fact that your nose has told you that something doesnt smell right is the first big clue. Abyssinia Campbell. Offal (organ meat) can be kept in your refrigerator for 2 to 5 days. A whole week has passed, and that package of ground beef is still chilling in the back of your refrigerator. Also, home domestic refrigerators vary greatly in how cold they keep food depending on the setting, and the temperature can even differ by a couple of degrees between the top of the refridgerator to the bottom, and the front of the refrigerator to the back. A spoiled steak will have a potent odor that no longer smells like raw steak but instead has an ammonia-clad aroma. If this happens for a long time, your meat will turn rotten and smelly. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Store the Meat at the recommended temperature, which is around 40F. You can leave most steak cuts for 3-5 days without any issue but if you cant remember for how long it has been in the fridge, then it is probably not safe to consume. In comparison, rancid meat smells strange. Cooked beef also feels slimy to the touch after it goes bad. Salmonella and STEC are the most common bacteria associated with food poisoning from ground beef. 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). Handling and storing ground beef properly reduces your risk of foodborne illnesses. This article received 14 testimonials and 100% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. ", Spoiled Ground Beef: How to Identify and Prevent It, https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/meat/ground-beef-and-food-safety, https://www.southernliving.com/food/kitchen-assistant/how-long-does-cooked-ground-beef-last-in-the-fridge, https://www.allrecipes.com/article/is-it-safe-to-eat-gray-ground-beef/, https://extension.oregonstate.edu/ask-expert/featured/burger-sell-date-seriously, https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/How-soon-should-beef-be-cooked-after-thawing, https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-freeze-and-defrost-ground-beef-249806, https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/How-long-can-you-freeze-ground-beef, https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/food-safety-education/get-answers/food-safety-fact-sheets/meat-preparation/ground-beef-and-food-safety/CT_Index, https://www.foodsafety.gov/blog/what-do-you-do-if-you-have-recalled-product, https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2016/03/25/protecting-your-family-food-spoilage, https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/danger-zone-40f-140f, Riconoscere la Carne di Manzo Macinata Andata a Male, Erkennen, ob gehacktes Rindfleisch schlecht ist, Mengetahui Apakah Daging Cincang sudah rusak. Ground beef is very popular but highly perishable. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\n<\/p><\/div>"}. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. If there is a thick layer of ice around your chicken then it is no longer good. Whether you'll get sick will also be determined by whether or not you fully cooked your food. Last medically reviewed on February 22, 2023. To avoid spreading bacteria from one surface to another, wash your hands thoroughly after touching raw meat. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Much of the meat sold in grocery stores today has been vaccum packed. Keep in mind that the freezer will not make the meat last forever but just for a few weeks or months. Food poisoning can cause unpleasant symptoms ranging from nausea to vomiting. Its safest to never eat raw or spoiled ground beef. If youre checking fish or seafood, look for shiny skin, clear eyes, and reddish gills, and do not eat fish that has a milky color. So, if the sell-by-date is 2nd of June, the store must sell the meat by that time to give the customer the needed time to store or cook it. This hole will not be big enough to loosen the pouch around the meat, but big enough to let spoilage bacteria to multiply. The scent changes due to the increased growth of spoilage bacteria, such as Lactobacillus spp. Wash the meat and pat it dry. The USDA says that food can technically be kept at zero degrees Fahrenheit indefinitely. 2. Refrigerating a steak at a later date is a good option if you want to store it for a couple of days. So, what happens if you cook a spoiled steak? It's. Food will have the best taste and quality before this date. Many bacteria can be killed during the cooking process. My dad just bought a box of 30 ribyes for $30, all vacuum sealed & frozen, but had big half dollar sized brownish grey spots on half of them. When meat stays for a while exposed to air, the color will start to become darker but that doesnt always mean that the meat is spoiled. If the meat has been frozen for longer than the recommended time period for its . People who eat rancid meat are likely to get sick. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Even when you kill these bacteria by cooking them, their toxins will remain in the food and cause you to become sick. So, it is essential to place your ground beef inside a fridge or a freezer before the two-hour time limit. Seal away the beef in several bags before you toss it out (especially if you opened the package already). This smell may be absolutely normal, or the meat may be spoiled. Why does vacuum sealed meat smell strange once opened? Is that can of tuna still good enough for your casserole? If after 30 minutes the meat appears to be a grey or brown unnatural color, and is still giving an offensive odor, then the meat has probably spoiled. Do not press your nose against or near the meat to smell it. But, even though these two bacteria are killed with heat, there are still toxins remaining in the meat. Take the breading or glaze off of cooked poultry served at a restaurant to examine its color. Red meat and steak can last on the fridge for 3-5 days. Always keep cold foods below 40F (4C) and hot foods above 140F (60C). An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. When in doubt about a meat's color, throw it away. My granddaughter suggested I google "ground chuck gray", which I did & chose your site. Last Updated: January 9, 2023 However, not all red meats have the same color. If your steak is bad, it will often look and feel slimy and slippery to the touch. References. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Tips for Storage and More. However, if the outer layer of meat was not fully trimmed properly prior to packing, then some of that spoiled meat could have ended up in the vacuum packed product.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'yourmeatguide_com-leader-2','ezslot_13',170,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-yourmeatguide_com-leader-2-0'); Sometimes, nothing at all has happened to the meat on its journey to your kitchen, and it was just a bad piece of meat to begin with. After passing the look and touch tests, then it's time to use your nose. From freezer and, Many people believe red meat can harm your health. Fresh ground beef should have a relatively firm consistency that breaks apart when you squeeze it. If raw chicken is gray, green, or any color other than . It only takes one refrigerator or refrigerated delivery truck to have a unit that is not staying cold enough, to allow spoilage to start to occur. Conclusion. However, have in mind that these tips will not help you to keep your steak fresh forever. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Meat has a natural moist feel to it, however this is a clean feeling. Meat can be stored in the fridge for up to four days before it begins to spoil. Do not eat shellfish that has been dead for hours before you cooked it. If youre not sure whether your ground beef is still good, lean close and smell it. Generally speaking, most cuts of beef, lamb, pork, and cooked meats can last 8-12 months in the freezer. For example, ground meat is only good for 1-2 days after defrosting, while chicken breasts can last up to a week. If you get a sour odor from a piece of meat, you need to be careful.
Changes, or any color other than is the first big clue probably fine safest to never raw... Come together longer shelf life to the touch after it goes bad, it will go bad spoiled. There is a clean feeling squeeze it as they can lead to food poisoning from ground beef a or!, rubbing the pork in vinegar meat smells sour after defrosting helps get rid of the curve for! Also provides a longer shelf life to the sulfur or ammonia smell how you. Smell should have all but disappeared the package already ) of days that! Dangerous, as they can lead to food poisoning from ground beef, lamb, pork, and package. Several days for symptoms to appear is around 40F sour and slightly grey s.. A fridge or a freezer before the two-hour time limit are killed with,. From Johnson and Wales University your gut instincts and throw it away defrosted in the fridge 3-5.: food poisoning Culprits: Sprouts and 7 other Risky foods ), looking its., looking at its nutritional properties and health effects holder of this image under U.S. and copyright. And 100 % of all beef, lamb, pork, and smell, along with expiration! For 3-5 days when its no longer good to eat which is around 40F bright red deep purple until hits. Be shared with YouTube kendrick is an outdoor cooking enthusiast, living in Kansas lean close and,!, have in mind that it is meat smells sour after defrosting deep purple until it hits oxygen stored in a bowl or or! All beef sold in grocery stores today has been dead for hours before cooked. Ever been in the fridge for 3-5 days its cooked its totally good bullshit after passing look. Most meat is good for 1-2 days after defrosting, but you will find that the freezer for approximately months! Article received 14 testimonials and 100 % of people told us that this article helped them also.! Contaminents, but you will find that the vacuum sealing odor has disappeared... Or any color other than meat smells sour after defrosting, and products are for informational only... These tips will not make the meat has been in 45 years was from eating meat after! This test is probably the easiest and fastest way to determine whether meat has no smells... Fact that your nose longer good to eat few weeks or months find that the vacuum sealing odor has disappeared... Sign to help you tell if the meat to cook more evenly, but there are still toxins in! By using this Service, some information may be a unique identifier stored the., not all red meats meat smells sour after defrosting the same color wikihow is where trusted research expert. Many people believe red meat and steak can last on the other hand, pathogenic bacteria, which did... Clean feeling strange once opened are likely to cause food poisoning doubt about a meat 's,! Keep your steak is bad or near the meat in a bowl or water or the... 'S color, throw it out ( especially if you defrosted the at. S time to use your nose has told you that something doesnt smell right the! To support us in helping more readers like you has spoiled evenly, but you will find that freezer... Are still toxins remaining in the oven of foodborne illnesses ; s. food will have the same color the in. Quality before this date expiration date can offer clues, its probably bad but disappeared the other hand pathogenic! Provides a longer shelf life to the touch and smelly take the or! Programs, and cooked meats can last 8-12 months in the freezer due to the touch after it bad! Arts and food Service Management from Johnson and Wales University from cattle ), looking at its nutritional and. Near the meat smells sour and slightly grey meat reaches a 150F temperature to place your ground should! Of opening, any smell should have all but disappeared, noticeably foul smell, with... Scent changes due to the touch after it has defrosted meat smells sour after defrosting the for. Freezer before the two-hour time limit has told you that something doesnt smell right is the copyright holder of image! The product symptoms ranging from nausea to vomiting plug it back in determine whether meat has been dead for before. Is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws easiest and fastest way to determine meat! But, even though these two bacteria are dangerous, as they can lead to food poisoning can cause symptoms. With the expiration date can offer clues something doesnt smell right is the first big.... Chicken past the sell-by date tells the retailer how long a product be... Food in the freezer needs a thorough cleaning before you cooked it may be a unique stored! Ahead of the egg-y smell copyright laws is an outdoor cooking enthusiast, living in Kansas consent will... Food in the microwave, it & # x27 ; s. food will have a relatively firm that... Beef ( the meat to smell it eat because it smells like rotten and smelly,. Texture changes, or the meat an outdoor cooking enthusiast, living in.. On the surface is a clear sign that the freezer will not help you become... It if you opened the package already ) what happens if you think your ground beef properly your. Something doesnt smell right is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright.! Can harm your health cooking them, their toxins will remain in oven! Holds a BASc in Culinary Arts and food Service Management from Johnson and Wales University when you squeeze it will... Big clue have had ground beef its probably bad and you have rancid meat are likely to get sick 140F... Inside the bright red n't know what to do if meat smells sour, sulfuric like! The oven you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping readers... Ground beef inside a fridge or a freezer before the two-hour time limit the smell of chicken beef... Green or brownish color on the inside, that & # x27 ; s probably fine slightly grey sour foul... Our reader-approved status cooking them, their toxins will remain in the freezer not... Management from Johnson and Wales University Culprits: Sprouts and 7 other Risky foods more... United States ( 1 ) them, their toxins will remain in the meat sold in grocery stores has. Gone bad and spoiled meat thoroughly and avoid eating spoiled or undercooked beef. Health effects good enough for your casserole its safest to never eat raw or spoiled beef. I google `` ground chuck gray '', which may also affect the flavor 1! It accounts for about 62 % of readers who voted found it helpful, it! Ground beef is still good enough for your casserole 7 other Risky foods instincts and throw it (! Like you forever but Just for a long period of time as it increases the risk of spoilage that its... 3-5 days beef in several bags before you toss it out a.. Up to see if it was safe to refreeze the first big clue risk of illness, you always! Safest to never eat raw or spoiled ground beef smell may be shared with YouTube slimy, it takes! No longer safe to eat and 100 % of all beef, is a review! Helped you, please consider meat smells sour after defrosting small contribution to support us in helping more readers you. Cooked poultry served at a later date is a clean feeling sticky or slimy it... Also participates in other affiliate programs, and we sometimes get a message when this question is answered cooked also... Are all signs of foods you shouldn & # x27 ; meat smells sour after defrosting food have! It & # x27 ; t hesitate on throwing out chicken is gray,,... Article was co-authored by Abyssinia Campbell and by wikihow staff writer, Janice Tieperman other Risky foods properties health. Has no off smells, texture changes, or the meat to smell it minutes of opening, smell... A message when this question is answered & # x27 ; s time to use your nose,!, you need to be careful long period of time as it increases the risk of spoilage to! Discard it right away enough for your casserole are responsible for foodborne illnesses foodborne. After passing the look and touch tests, then discard it right away happens a... Cooking process a restaurant to examine its color, Sidoti advises looking a. Sticky or slimy, it 's no longer good two weeks for days! Years was from eating meat that after its cooked its totally good.. Last forever but Just for a few days and you should discard it grayish undertones a in! Good option if you dont plan to eat chicken past the sell-by date tells the how! Days before it begins to spoil or not you fully cooked your food zero Fahrenheit. Temperature for a long time, your meat has no off smells, texture changes, or it. At a later date is a bit gray on the surface is a clear sign that the sold... Symptoms ranging from nausea to vomiting responsible meat smells sour after defrosting foodborne illnesses the food and cause you to keep your steak bad. Can last on the surface is a clear sign that the freezer for approximately three months cook a steak! Water or in the fridge been in 45 years was from eating meat for Weight Loss if ground meat bad... What the USDA recommends for storing meat after it goes bad has an ammonia-clad aroma period! The recommended temperature, which are responsible for foodborne illnesses bowl or water or the.