Find out if gray ground beef is OK to eat.
Plus, find out how to tell if ground beef is bad with other indicators.
Read on to learn more about when it is and isn’t safe to eat gray ground beef.
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Plus, learn about other factors that indicate if ground beef has gone bad.
Is Gray Ground Beef Safe to Eat?
Short answer: Yes and no.
When fresh meat is cut, it’s actually purplish in color.
Fresh ground beef shouldn’t have a noticeable smell, so any off-smelling odors are a cause for concern.
If the ground beef has a slimy or sticky texture, it means it’s going bad.
Frequently Asked Questions
The sell-by date and best-by date can provide helpful guidelines at best.
Look for signs such as: Is the meat gray or brownish?
Does it have an unpleasant or overly sweet odor?
Does it feel slimy?
Is the package warm to the touch?
Trust your instincts, and remember the old saying: “When in doubt, throw it out!”
Place the meat in the freezer if it’s been a day or two since your purchase.
Be sure to label the packaging before placing it in the freezer.
Just remember: Never refreeze thawed meat!
You don’t want to cook bad meat.
This is the temperature that will killE.
coli,SalmonellaandEnterococcusbacteria that can have unpredictable outcomes on your body, depending on your age and immune system.
It is important to get fresh ground beef and know its origin.
Consult with your grocery store butcher to guide you.
Sometimes, packaged meats can include meat from the heart or tonguemaybe you don’t want that.
Like chicken, it’s best not to rinse meat before cooking it.
But if your ground beef looks, smells and feels OK, then you’re set to use it.
U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service.Ground beef and food safety.
