Americans eat about 24. 8 billion pounds of beef every year. It’s something that everyone keeps in their fridges and freezers, but a lot of people can’t tell if their meat has gone bad.
A specialist at the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, Argyris Magoulas, told INSIDER when beef is okay to eat and when it should be thrown away.
Beef stew is a delicious and comforting meal, but only when the meat is fresh and safe to eat. Nothing spoils a good stew faster than realizing the beef has gone bad. So how can you tell if your beef stew meat is past its prime?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through the clear signs of spoiled beef stew meat, proper storage methods to maximize freshness, what to do if you suspect your meat is bad, and tips to extend its shelf life. Read on to learn how to ensure your beef stew turns out perfectly every time.
3 Surefire Ways to Identify Spoiled Beef Stew Meat
Don’t risk eating contaminated beef that could cause food poisoning Look for these telltale signs that your stew meat has spoiled
1. It Smells Off
Your nose knows when meat has gone bad! If you notice a sour, rancid, or sickly sweet odor when sniffing your beef, it’s not safe to eat. Toss it immediately to avoid getting sick.
2. The Color is Off
Fresh raw beef is red or purple. If your stew meat has turned brown or gray, it’s a clear red flag of spoilage. Discoloration happens when bacteria grows on the meat.
3. The Texture Feels Slimey
Slimy, sticky, or tacky meat is bad news. If your beef feels this way, bacteria has likely started multiplying on the surface. Don’t risk eating it!
Now that you know what to look for, let’s talk about how to store beef stew meat properly to keep it fresh for as long as possible.
Storing Beef Stew Meat Correctly
Refrigerating or freezing beef stew meat properly is key to preventing bacterial growth that causes spoilage and foodborne illness. Here are some top food safety tips:
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Store raw stew meat on the bottom shelf of the fridge to avoid leaks dripping onto other foods. Use within 1-2 days of purchase.
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Freeze meat in airtight containers, leaving 1/4 inch room for expansion. It will keep for 2-3 months in a freezer set at 0°F.
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Freeze meat in its original packaging, then overwrap with foil or plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn.
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Cooked stew meat lasts 3-4 days refrigerated. Reheat fully when ready to eat to kill bacteria.
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Don’t use stoneware crocks in the fridge. Cool meat fully before refrigerating.
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Thaw frozen meat safely in the fridge, cold water, or the microwave on defrost setting. Don’t leave it out at room temperature.
Following these cold storage rules helps slow bacteria growth, retaining your beef’s freshness and flavor.
What to Do if Beef Stew Meat Smells Bad
Uh oh…you opened the fridge and were hit with a rancid stench from your beef stew meat. Now what?
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Toss the spoiled meat immediately in the garbage. Don’t taste it!
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Clean any surfaces, utensils, and dishes that came in contact with the bad meat using hot water and soap.
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If the spoiled meat leaked anywhere, sanitize with a chlorine bleach solution.
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Check expiration dates carefully when grocery shopping to avoid buying meat that’s already near spoiling.
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When in doubt, throw it out! Don’t risk eating meat that smells or looks questionable.
Discarding spoiled meat promptly helps prevent bacteria from spreading and causing illness. Don’t take chances with suspect beef.
5 Handy Tips to Make Beef Stew Meat Last Longer
Getting the most mileage out of your beef stew ingredients not only saves money but reduces waste. Here are 5 smart ways to extend the shelf life of stew meat:
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Marinate meat in an acidic liquid like wine, vinegar or citrus juice. The acid inhibits bacteria growth.
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Freeze meat in portion sizes to avoid thawing/refreezing too often.
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Cure meats with salt, sugar, and nitrates for preservation. Store cured meats in the fridge.
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Cook low and slow in a slow cooker or pressure can. High heat can toughen meat.
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Preserve cooked meat by canning in sterilized jars or reheating fully in a sealed container.
With the right preparation and storage methods, beef stew can deliver maximum flavor for longer! Now you can keep leftover stew and have it ready when a craving hits.
The Takeaway: Trust Your Senses to Determine Bad Meat
Now you’re equipped to store, prepare, and inspect beef stew meat safely. Trust your eyes, nose and common sense to determine if meat is spoiled. With these handy tips, you can whip up delicious beef stew anytime knowing the meat is fresh and bacteria-free.
Bon appétit! May you enjoy many hearty bowls of beef stew this season without the risks of bad meat ruining the meal. Just remember—when in doubt, throw it out! Your health is too important to chance eating potentially hazardous beef.
It’s been in your refrigerator too long
Meat that has been ground up should be used within one to two days of buying it, and beef cuts should be used within three to five days. Advertisement.
“You should really throw it away before it smells or looks like it’s going bad,” Magoulas said. “You want to go by recommended storage times. “.
Meat can stay in the freezer for as long as it’s safe to do so because it’s too cold for bacteria to grow there. But meat that has been frozen for a long time tends to dry out. Magoulas recommends keeping steaks for no longer than 6 to 12 months for the best quality.
The texture and smell seem “off”
If the beef is sticky, slimy, tacky, or smells bad, toss it.
“Ground beef will go bad after a certain number of days if you leave it in the fridge,” Magoulas said. “Typically with meats, theyll be sticky, slimy, and have off or foul odors. ” Advertisement.
How can I tell if my meat’s gone bad?
FAQ
What does spoiled stew meat look like?
Is beef stew meat bad if it’s brown?
What does bad stew meat smell like?
How long can beef stew meat stay in the fridge?
How do you know if beef stew has gone bad?
There are several ways to tell if raw beef stew meat has gone bad. One way is to use your senses – smell, sight, and touch. If the meat smells sour, has a slimy texture or appears brownish in color, it’s a sign that it’s gone bad and should be discarded. Another way to check is by looking at the expiration date on the packaging.
How long does cooked beef stew meat last?
Cooked beef stew meat will usually stay good for 3 to 4 days in the fridge and 4 months in the freezer. How to tell if raw beef stew meat is bad? The best way is to smell and look at the beef stew meat: signs of bad beef stew meat are a sour smell, dull color and slimy texture; discard any beef stew meat with an off smell or appearance.
How do you know if beef is bad?
One of the easiest ways to tell that beef is bad is when you see maggots on it. The presence of maggots is an indicator that you should dispose of your beef. You should dispose of your beef when you see maggots because they can carry diseases and may have already contaminated the meat. 3. Slime Several biochemical processes can occur on bad meat.
Can you use the wrong cut of beef in beef stew?
Using the wrong cut of beef is probably the worst mistake you could ever make when it comes to beef stew. We’ve even tried using cuts of meat that are good for braising—like sirloin—and they just didn’t break down in the same way in a stew. You’re left with chunks of tight, dry meat rather than meltingly tender beef. The only cut you should use?