Is Your Beef Liver Still Good to Eat? 4 Ways to Know if It’s Spoiled

Beef liver is packed with nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin B12, folate, iron, and protein. No wonder it’s been considered a superfood for ages! But because it’s an organ meat, beef liver is more perishable than muscle cuts of beef. So how can you tell if your beef liver has gone bad?

This article will cover the signs of spoiled beef liver proper storage methods shelf life, and what to do if you accidentally eat bad liver. Let’s start with the top signs that indicate your beef liver has spoiled.

1. Check the Smell

Your nose often knows best when it comes to detecting spoiled foods Fresh beef liver has barely any scent at all. At most, it may have a very faint iron-like smell

On the other hand, beef liver that has gone bad will have a distinct, unpleasant odor. It may smell sour or ammonia-like. Some describe the stench as rotten, sickly sweet, or like rotten eggs.

If you pick up even a whiff of a foul odor from your beef liver, that’s a huge red flag not to eat it! Trust your senses – if it smells funky, it has spoiled.

2. Observe the Color

When fresh, beef liver should be a deep burgundy red color. As it starts to spoil you may notice the color fading to a pale gray green, or brown.

The liver may also develop dark spots or streaks. Discoloration or color changes indicate the growth of mold and bacteria. Don’t bother cutting away the moldy parts – any visible mold means the beef liver should be discarded.

3. Check the Texture

Fresh liver should feel smooth, firm, and moist to the touch but not slimy or sticky. If your beef liver has a gummy, sticky, or slippery texture, that’s a sign of spoilage.

This sliminess occurs when bacteria begin breaking down the fats and proteins in the liver. Toss out any beef liver that feels abnormally soft, slimy, or mushy.

4. Mind the Expiration Date

Checking theexpiration date on the packaging is also important! Beef liver typically has a very short shelf life of just 1-2 days from the sell-by date.

For maximum safety and quality, cook beef liver by its use-by or sell-by date. Discard any unpackaged liver that’s been in the fridge for over 2 days.

Now let’s go over how to store beef liver to extend its shelf life and keep it from spoiling quickly.

Proper Storage of Beef Liver

Because beef liver is so perishable, proper storage is a must. Here are some tips for keeping beef liver fresh:

• Keep liver chilled at 40°F or below. Use within 1-2 days of purchasing.

• Wrap liver tightly in plastic wrap or wax paper. Avoid exposure to air.

• Place liver on a plate to catch leaks and keep fridge clean.

• Use frozen liver within 2 days of thawing in the fridge.

• Freeze liver up to 3-4 months if you can’t use it in time.

• When freezing, wrap liver in plastic and foil to prevent freezer burn.

• Store cooked liver in airtight containers and use within 3-4 days.

Following these guidelines will help extend the shelf life of your beef liver compared to leaving it in the open air. But regardless of storage method, cooked or raw liver should not be eaten if it smells bad or shows signs of spoilage.

What Happens If You Eat Bad Beef Liver?

Consuming spoiled beef liver can cause foodborne illness, with symptoms like stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, fever, and chills.

In severe cases, bad liver can even cause neurological symptoms like confusion, hallucinations, and loss of balance and coordination.

Certain groups like pregnant women, children, elderly folks, and those with weakened immune systems are at higher risk for complications from food poisoning. See a doctor if symptoms are severe or persist longer than a few days.

Tips for Spotting Bad Beef Liver

Here are some quick tips for identifying beef liver that’s gone bad:

• Closely inspect all sides/surfaces, not just one area.

• Give it a big sniff – foul odors are a dead giveaway.

• Check the expiration or use-by date on the packaging.

• Look for discoloration or unnatural colors like green, gray or brown.

• Feel for an abnormal sticky or slimy texture.

• When in doubt, throw it out! Better safe than sorry.

• Buy high-quality liver from reputable butchers and grocers.

As long as you store your beef liver properly and consume it within 1-2 days, you can reap all the nutritional benefits of this superfood. Just be sure to check for any signs of spoilage before cooking. Trust your senses – if it seems off, don’t risk eating it!