6 Signs Your Steak Has Gone Bad

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The idea of a grilled steak is enough to make your mouth water, but spoiled meat will strike terror into the heart of any barbecue lover.

This is why knowing how to store fresh meat and thaw frozen meat correctly is important. Most importantly, you should be able to notice the tell-tale signs of spoilage.

In this guide, I will show you the top six signs that your steak has gone bad – so you can grill confidently and keep your friends and family safe.

How to tell if your steak has gone off

You should always check your steak before cooking. Even meat in the freezer can go off, so learning the signs that your steak is gone off is critical.

From smelly meat to discoloration, below are the telltale signs your meat belongs in the bin.

1. Is My Meat Past the Used-By Date?

Fresh meat may have a used-by date and a sell-by date. But the date you must pay close attention to is the used-by date. 

The sell-by date is the date the store must sell the meat, and the used-by date is the date by which the manufacturer can guarantee it will be safe to eat.

Cooking your meat by the used-by date is the safest way to ensure you avoid food poisoning.

2. Is There Mold Growing on the Meat?

One clear indication of meat spoilage is the appearance of mold. If your refrigerated steak has patches of white or grey discoloration, mold has likely spoiled the meat, and it is time to throw it in the bin.

3. Has the Color Changed?

Apart from looking to see if mold is growing, another visual change in your meat is the loss of its bright red color.  If the raw steak appears brown and dull, it is old and may need to be discarded.

4. Is the Meat Dry?

Another indication of old, potentially harmful meat is a dry texture.  The older your raw steak is, the more it will lose its moisture. 

This increases the risk of spoilage as it indicates that the meat is no longer fresh and could harbor harmful bacteria.

5. Is the Meat Slimy?

Perhaps one of the obvious physical signs that your meat has spoiled is a slimy film. 

Not only will you be able to feel the slime, but there will be a visible shine to the meat, letting you know you have spoiled meat without actually touching it.

6. Does Your Steak Smell Bad?

If your steak has a foul odor, do not cook it! While most people do not find the smell of meat appealing, it shouldn’t be offensive.

Fresh meat should have a metallic iron smell; it is strong, but you can smell it.

However, if your steak has gone bad, it will have a strong smell, like ammonia or eggs if you smell this when throw it out.

Wrapping it up

All it takes is a bit of extra care and attention to detail to avoid off-meat on the menu for your next BBQ. 

Follow the preventative measures above to keep your meat fresh. Or, at the very least, check for the listed tell-tale signs to ensure you don’t serve spoiled beef for dinner.

Smoke On!

Charlie

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