What do when you can’t tell if your steak is bad, or is still good to eat
In this guide, we’ll show you how to tell if steak is bad, so you can enjoy this classic dish without any worries.
Even if a fresh steak is in the freezer, it’s possible for it to go bad.
If you leave it for too long or incorrectly, it will go bad. Nothing is more frustrating than wanting to sink your teeth into a juicy steak, only to find out that the steak is bad.
In order to prevent this from happening, you need to be able to identify signs that your steak is no longer safe to eat.
This guide is here so that you can avoid eating spoiled meat.
7 Signs Your Steak Is Bad (spoiled)
There are a few key signs that will tell you whether or not your steak is bad. Here are seven of them:
1) Check the Expiration Date
This is one of the most obvious ways to tell if your steak is bad. If the expiration date has already passed, then it’s best not to eat steak.
Even if it doesn’t look spoiled, you can still get sick from eating steak that has gone bad.
When you’re at the supermarket, always be sure to check the expiration date on the meat. This will give you an idea of how long the meat will last, and whether or not it’s safe to eat. Keep in mind that the expiration date is only a guideline.
It’s possible for fresh meat to last longer than the expiration date, but it can also go bad sooner. If you’re unsure, it’s always best to throw the meat away.
If the expiration date is far away from your purchase date, you can freeze the steak and eat it later. However, if the expiration date is close, then it’s best to cook and eat the frozen steak soon. Because most people do not check every item in the freezer on a regular basis, it’s conceivable that your expiration date will pass.
A good way to avoid this is to label your meat with the purchase date. This will help you keep track of how long the meat has been in the freezer, and when it is going to expire.
2) Check the Color
If the outside of the steak looks discolored, then it’s likely that the meat is bad. The discoloration can be caused by bacteria, which will make the meat unsafe to eat.
Your meat may appear brown, yellow, or even green if you leave it out for too long. It’s also conceivable that you’ll notice a few areas of discoloration.
Meat is colored by two components: myoglobin and hemoglobin. Myoglobin is a red protein that is found in the muscle tissue of animals. Hemoglobin is the protein that carries oxygen in the blood.
The color of the meat is determined by the level of oxygen in the meat. When the meat is fresh, it has a high level of oxygen. This will cause the meat to be a bright red color. As the meat starts to spoil, it will lose its oxygen and the color will start to change.
This is why it’s important to pay attention to the color of the meat, especially if it’s been in the fridge for a few days. If the steak is discolored, it’s best to throw it away.
3) Check the Texture
If the steak feels slimy or sticky, it’s likely that the meat is bad. This is another indication that the meat has been contaminated with bacteria.
The texture of the meat can also be a clue to whether or not the steak is spoiled. If the meat feels tough, dry, or rubbery, it’s a sign that the raw steak has gone bad. The texture of the meat is usually the first thing to change when the steak starts to spoil.
Pay attention to how the steak feels in your hand. If it doesn’t feel right, it’s probably best to discard the meat. The texture is a good indicator of freshness.
4) Check the Smell
If everything else passes and you’re still not sure, then take a whiff of your meat. A bad smell is usually a telltale sign that something’s gone wrong.
The smell of fresh raw beef can change when it starts to spoil. It may start to smell sour, rank, or ammonia-like. If you smell something off, it’s best to discard the meat. The smell is one of the most reliable ways to tell if your cooked steak is bad.
5) Check for Mold
If you see any mold on the meat, it’s a clear sign that the steak is bad. This is another indication that the meat has been contaminated with bacteria.
Mold is a fungus that can grow on the surface of the meat. It’s usually white, green, or black. If you see any mold on the meat, don’t eat it. The mold can make you sick.
6) Check the steak for dryness
If the steak is dry, it’s a sign that the meat has gone bad. This is usually caused by bacteria or oxidation. It’s important to note that oxidation is not the same as spoilage.
Oxidation is a chemical reaction that happens when the meat is exposed to the air. The meat will start to turn brown and lose its flavor. This usually happens when the meat is exposed to light or heat.
When a dry-aged steak goes bad, it will start to lose its moisture. This will cause the meat to become dry and tough. If the steak is dry, it’s time to toss it and save yourself from potential food poisoning.
7) Cook a Small Piece
If you’re still not sure whether or not the steak is bad, then cook a small piece of the meat. This will help you to determine whether or not the steak is safe to eat.
If the small piece of meat tastes bad, then it’s best to discard the entire steak. If the small piece of meat is good, then you can cook the entire delicious steak.
When you’re cooking the steak, be sure to pay attention to how it looks and smells. If it doesn’t look or smell right, it’s best to don’t eat spoiled steak and throw it away.
Final Thoughts
It’s important to be aware of the signs of bad steak. If you’re not sure whether or not the steak is safe to eat, then it’s best to discard it. The signs of bad steak can vary depending on the type of meat. So, it’s important to be familiar with the different signs of spoilage.
If you’re not sure what to do with a bad steak, then you can always discard it. It’s better to be safe than sorry.