You can tell if ground beef is bad by checking these key signs: 1. Smell:
- Fresh ground beef has little to no noticeable smell or a very mild metallic scent.
- Spoiled ground beef emits a strong, sour, rancid, or putrid odor, sometimes described as ammonia-like or tangy. If it smells off or unpleasant, discard it immediately
2. Color:
- Fresh ground beef is bright red on the surface due to oxygen exposure; the interior may be grayish-brown, which is normal.
- If the entire beef has turned dull gray, brown (if never frozen), greenish, yellow, or shows mold (blue, green, or white fuzzy spots), it is spoiled and unsafe to eat
- Gray color alone doesn't always mean spoilage, especially if only inside the package or after freezing, but combined with other signs, it indicates spoilage
3. Texture:
- Fresh ground beef is firm and crumbles easily when squeezed.
- Spoiled ground beef feels sticky, slimy, or tacky, which signals bacterial growth and spoilage
4. Expiration Date and Storage:
- Use ground beef within 1-2 days of purchase if refrigerated.
- Cooked ground beef lasts 3-4 days in the fridge.
- Frozen ground beef can last 3-4 months if properly wrapped and sealed
Summary:
If your ground beef smells bad, has an unusual color (especially gray, green,
or moldy), or feels slimy or sticky, it is bad and should be thrown out to
avoid food poisoning
. When in doubt, trust your senses and discard questionable meat.
