If you love nothing more than a hot and juicy steak, then you know how important it is that the meat is fresh. Here are some tips for identifying a steak that has gone bad.
Take a good look at the steak
Start off with sight and take a look at the meat. Fresh steak is bright red and will become more pink as it gets cooked. Avoid any steak that has a greenish or grayish tint to it. This is a sign that bacteria has made a home in the meat and is festering in it.
You can also use your nose to determine the freshness of the meat. While fresh uncooked meat isn’t exactly pleasant, it shouldn’t smell bad. If the meat has a sour or bitter smell to it, it’s time to throw it in the trash.
Another way to gauge the freshness of the steak is to give it a little poke with your fingers. Meat that has gone bad will have a sticky, slimy texture. It will be enough to kill your appetite, trust us.
What if the steak is already cooked?
You can still smell whether or not the steak has gone bad. Give it a whiff and if it’s not a mouth-watering aroma, odds are that it’s past its prime. In addition, cooked steak will be pinkish or brown. Look for any signs of gray that could signify that it’s gone bad.
If you’re at home, you can use a food thermometer to check the meat’s temperature. Steak should be cooked to 160 degrees Fahrenheit so keep that in mind when getting a thermometer reading.
If you’re going to enjoy a steak, be sure to use proper food safety procedures to avoid cross-contamination and any rotting meat. Sometimes it’s okay to eat steak past its sell-by date but be sure to follow these steps to ensure that it’s safe to consume.