Ground beef is a kitchen staple used in dishes like burgers meatballs, tacos, and more. However, since grinding exposes more surface area to air it goes bad faster than steak. So how can you tell if thawed ground beef has spoiled? There are several simple ways to check.
Check the Color
Fresh ground beef is bright red due to myoglobin. If the outside has turned brown or gray it’s spoiled. Mold growth also indicates spoilage. Cooked ground beef with blue gray or green fuzzy spots should be discarded.
An interior greyish-brown color is normal since the inside hasn’t been exposed to oxygen But any exterior discoloration means the beef is rotting and unsafe to eat
Feel the Texture
Fresh ground beef is relatively firm and just slightly moist. A slimy or sticky texture, whether raw or cooked, indicates spoilage bacteria are breaking the meat down. Immediately toss ground beef with an abnormal texture.
After touching raw meat, thoroughly wash hands to avoid spreading bacteria.
Smell It
Spoiled raw or cooked ground beef has a distinct rotten, tangy odor. The smell changes as spoilage bacteria like Lactobacillus and Pseudomonas grow. They affect the flavor as well.
Ground beef with visual spoilage signs should be thrown out even if no scent is noticeable, since pathogenic bacteria can’t be smelled. Avoid eating meat with an off smell.
Check Expiration Dates
The sell-by date tells retailers how long to display meat. Refrigerated ground beef is good 2 days past this date.
The expiration or “best before” date indicates when the meat may start spoiling and lose quality. Frozen ground beef lasts 4 months past the expiration date if properly stored.
Carefully read labels and don’t eat past expiration without freezing first.
Look for Freezer Burn
Freezer burned ground beef has dry, leathery patches or discolored areas. An odd smell when thawing also indicates freezer burn and spoilage.
Prevent it by tightly wrapping meat in airtight packaging before freezing. Store at a constant temperature and use within a reasonable timeframe.
Conduct a Water Test
Place sealed frozen ground beef in a bowl of cold water. If it sinks and lays flat, it’s likely still good. Floating, discoloration or a slimy texture mean it’s spoiled.
After thawing in the fridge, check the raw beef’s color and texture. It should be bright red and slightly moist if fresh. Foul odors also indicate spoilage.
Use a Thermometer
Cook ground beef to 160°F and insert a food thermometer to verify doneness. Temps below 160°F show undercooking and potential spoilage.
Accurately measuring internal temperature ensures both food safety and proper doneness. If still frozen at 160°F, the meat has likely gone bad.
Look for Signs During Cooking
Cook spoiled ground beef thoroughly, since harmful bacteria may be present. However, beware of these red flags:
- Odd odors wafting from the pan
- Persistent pink/red color even after cooking
- Excessively dry, crumbly texture
- Unpleasant “off” flavor
If you notice these signs, discard the meat immediately. Don’t taste or eat spoiled ground beef.
Safely Handle and Store
Properly storing ground beef is key to preventing spoilage and foodborne illness:
- Refrigerate or freeze within 2 hours of purchase. Maintain fridge temp at or below 40°F.
- Place meat on lowest shelf to prevent drips and store raw beef separately.
- When freezing, wrap tightly in airtight packaging and freeze at 0°F or below.
- Thaw frozen beef in the fridge, never out for over 2 hours.
- Cook to 160°F internal temperature and refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.
Following basic food safety tips minimizes the risk of spoiled, dangerous ground beef ruining meals or causing illness. Trust your senses, adhere to storage times, cook thoroughly, and when in doubt, throw it out. With these simple checks, you can determine whether thawed ground beef is still fresh or if it’s time to toss it.
What will bad ground beef smell like?
Spoiled ground beef will have a pungent, putrid smell. Ground beef that is safe to eat typically has little to no perceptible smell.
Why Does Ground Beef Spoil?
Unfortunately, all meat will eventually go bad. Still, it’s helpful to know exactly what’s going on when inspecting your beef and even trying to ensure that it lasts as long as possible. Meat is generally susceptible to a variety of bacteria, especially pathogenic and spoilage.
Pathogenic won’t cause any odors, color changes, or noticeable changes in your meat. However, it will certainly still cause illness. Meanwhile, spoilagebacteria will cause observable effects on your ground beef that we’ll discuss further in this article.
It’s important to keep both of these bacteria in mind when inspecting your ground beef. Both will make you sick, but only one will show signs.
This may be the first thing you notice if your beef has gone bad, even before you open the fridge. Spoiled beef will develop a scent to it similar to ammonia or sulfur. In short, it won’t smell good.
Occasionally ground beef will develop a light smell if it’s been in airtight packaging, and that’s alright. But if you take a whiff and you’re immediately making a face, that’s your bodys natural reaction to something that should not be consumed.
Healthy ground beef will be pink with strips of white fat running through it. Oxidation — AKA overexposure to oxygen — will lead to a bit of grayness, which isn’t necessarily the end of the road.
However, if your meat is turned fully gray, has patches of dark gray, or has started to develop any amount of mold, it’s time to throw away the entire package. Do not be tempted to remove the mold you can see and salvage the ground beef remaining. There very well may be more mold growing beneath the surface.
If your ground beef has a funky odor and looks unappetizing, it’s safe to say that it’s gone bad and should be tossed out. However, if you need more confirmation, you can always check the meat’s texture.
Healthy ground beef will be smooth, and you should be able to make an indent when you push your finger into it. If the meat has gone bad, the surface will feel slimy and wet.
You shouldn’t feel any wetness on ground beef, particularly raw beef.
As we mentioned, some bacteria don’t show any observable signs of spoilage. It wont smell, look, or feel different. But you can always double-check the time that the beef has been on the shelf and use that number as your final decider.
Raw beef should be consumed within 3 days of getting it into your fridge since it was recently packaged. Always double-check your ground beefs packing and expiration dates, whether you get it at a grocery store, butcher it, or have it delivered from a high-quality local farm.
Here’s How To Tell If Ground Beef Has Gone Bad
FAQ
How to know if thawed ground beef is bad?
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Healthlinehttps://www.healthline.comHow to Tell If Ground Beef Is Bad: 4 Simple Ways to Check – HealthlineNevertheless, you should throw away ground beef if it has turned either brown or gray on the outside, as this indicates that it’s beginning to rot. … However,
Is ground beef good 3 days after defrosting?
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Thawing in the refrigerator:Ground beef can be stored for an additional 1-2 days after thawing in the refrigerator before cooking.
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Thawing in cold water or microwave:If thawed using these methods, it’s best to cook the ground beef immediately.
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Refreezing:Ground beef that has been thawed in the refrigerator can be refrozen safely, although some changes in texture or flavor may occur.
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Safety guidelines:It’s crucial to keep ground beef cold while thawing to prevent bacterial growth. Never leave it at room temperature for more than 2 hours (or 1 hour above 90°F).
How to tell if defrosted beef is bad?
- A fresh beef should have a slightly metallic or faintly sweet smell.
- Spoiled beef will have a sour, ammonia-like, or rancid odor.
- If the thawed beef smells off or stinky, discard it immediately.
What does spoiled ground beef smell like?
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Ammonia/Sulfur Smell:This is a common indication of protein breakdown and bacterial growth, suggesting the meat has gone bad.
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Tangy, Putrid Odor:This suggests the meat is rancid, meaning fats have gone off and are producing unpleasant smells.
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Other Signs:Besides smell, look for a change in color (turning grey or brown) and texture (becoming slimy or sticky).
How do you know if ground beef is bad after thawing?
To determine if ground beef has gone bad after thawing, look for these signs: If it has an odor, feels slimy to touch (and not just wet), or is off-color, it’s likely best to discard it, according to Shaw.
Can thawed ground beef be refrigerated?
Refrigerator: Ground beef can be stored in the refrigerator for 1-2 days after thawing. Freezer: If you don’t plan to use the thawed ground beef within 2 days, refreeze it for up to 4 months. It’s important to inspect ground beef before cooking or consuming it to check for signs of spoilage: Color: Fresh ground beef is bright red.
Does cooked ground beef go bad?
Raw or cooked ground beef has gone bad if it smells funky, changes color, and/or feels slimy. Don’t cook with ground beef that’s more than 3 days past its sell-by date. Store raw and cooked beef in the fridge to keep it as fresh as possible. If you can’t cook or eat it right away, freeze it for future use.
How do you know if ground beef has gone bad?
Another common indicator that your ground beef has gone bad is a change in color. If the meat has become gray or brown in certain areas, it may be a sign of spoilage. Additionally, an off-putting odor, such as a sour or rancid smell, is an important warning sign that the beef is no longer safe to consume.
How do you know if frozen ground beef is bad?
Freezer burn is a common issue with frozen ground beef and can indicate that the meat has gone bad. Look for discolored or whitish patches on the surface of the meat, as this is a clear sign of freezer burn. The texture of the meat may also feel dry, leathery, or tough to the touch, suggesting that it has been affected by freezer burn.
What happens if you freeze thaw ground beef?
The texture of the meat may also feel dry, leathery, or tough to the touch, suggesting that it has been affected by freezer burn. Additionally, if you notice an off-putting or rancid odor when thawing the ground beef, it may be a result of freezer burn and spoilage.