To tell if a steak is bad, check for the following key signs:
- Smell: A spoiled steak often has a strong sour, rancid, or ammonia-like odor that is distinctly unpleasant compared to the mild smell of fresh beef
- Color: Fresh steak is usually bright red or purplish. If it has turned dull gray, brown, greenish, or yellowish, it may be spoiled
- Texture: Bad steak often feels slimy, sticky, or has a shiny film on the surface. Fresh steak should be moist but not slick or slimy
- Appearance: Look for any unusual discoloration, mold, or crustiness. Mold or fuzzy spots indicate spoilage and the steak should be discarded immediately
- Touch temperature: Steak that feels unusually warm can be a sign it is starting to spoil
- Use-by date: If the steak is past its use-by or sell-by date, it is more likely to be bad, especially if not stored properly
If you notice any of these signs, it is safest to discard the steak to avoid food poisoning. When in doubt, do not taste the meat to check freshness
. Proper storage—keeping steak refrigerated or frozen and sealed—helps prevent spoilage
. In summary, the main indicators of a bad steak are a foul smell, discoloration, slimy texture, visible mold, and being past the expiration date
