You forgot to put the cold meat in the fridge before bed last night, and now you remember when you wake up. It’s not raw, it looks good, smells good, and tastes good, so it should be okay to eat, right? Unfortunately, it doesn’t quite work that way.
The USDA notes that there are two types of bacteria: pathogenic bacteria and spoilage bacteria. Spoilage bacteria causes the food to start smelling and tasting funny, but consuming it wont harm you. However, pathogenic bacteria are harmful bacteria that can make you sick. They don’t change the taste or smell of the food in any way.
Salmonella, Listeria, Campylobacter, Staphylococcus aureus (Staph) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) are some of the types of pathogenic bacteria listed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The USDA explains that pathogenic bacteria thrive between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Room temperature usually falls in this temperature range, known as the danger zone. In this temperature range, pathogenic bacteria can sometimes double in number within a span of 20 minutes.
Bacteria can grow by two times in twenty minutes. Just think how many there will be if the meat is left out overnight. The USDA says that you should throw away any food that has been out at room temperature for more than two hours. If the temperature is above 90 F, the window is one hour.
Pathogenic bacteria doesn’t change the way food looks, smells, or tastes, so you can’t tell if it’s there or not. It might make you feel bad to throw away meat that looks fine, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
In order to be considered safe for consumption, meat needs to be cooked to above 145 F. Ground meat needs to cross an internal temperature of 160 F, and poultry needs to cross 165 F. If you’re not going to eat the meat right away, you should keep it in the fridge at or below 40 F.
The Risks of Eating Beef Left Out Overnight – How to Stay Safe
We’ve all been there – it’s late you’re exhausted and you totally space on putting away the leftovers after dinner. That beef you cooked smells great when you wake up, so what’s the harm in having some, right?
Not so fast. As tasty as that meat still looks, eating beef or any animal protein left at room temperature overnight poses serious health risks.
Here at VeryMeaty, we want to help you enjoy meat safely and avoid needless food poisoning. In this article, we’ll cover:
- Why meat left out can be dangerous
- Bacteria growth timeframes
- Who’s most vulnerable
- Symptoms of food poisoning
- Proper storage temps
- What to do if you eat questionable meat
Let’s dive in and keep your next BBQ or steak dinner from turning nasty!
Why Leftover Meat Left Out Overnight Can Make You Sick
Cooked meat seems harmless sitting out overnight. But in as little as two hours in the “danger zone” between 40°F and 140°F, bacteria on the meat can multiply like crazy.
Pathogenic bacteria are the main culprits behind foodborne illness. Common types like E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria can’t be detected by smell or taste. Yet consuming meat harboring these bacteria can cause severe stomach problems or even life-threatening complications.
According to the USDA, a single bacterium doubling every 20 minutes can produce over two million bacteria in just seven hours. Yikes!
Other leftovers like pasta, veggies, or bread appear intact because spoilage bacteria merely causes these foods to smell or taste bad. But with pathogenic bacteria, the meat seems perfectly fine, making it more tempting to take a chance. Resist that urge!
Who’s Most At Risk From Food Poisoning?
While eating meat left out is risky for anyone, some groups are more vulnerable to severe side effects from foodborne pathogens.
The most susceptible populations include:
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Pregnant women – Hormone changes weaken immunity. Illness can cause pregnancy complications.
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Young children – Their immune systems aren’t fully developed. Dehydration from vomiting/diarrhea is a major risk.
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Elderly adults – Weakened immunity plus lower stomach acid to kill bacteria.
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Those with compromised immunity – HIV/AIDS, cancer treatment, transplants, diabetes, etc.
For these high-risk groups, pathogens from meat left overnight can even prove fatal in some cases. But what symptoms should you watch for?
Common Symptoms of Food Poisoning
If you eat questionable meat, possible food poisoning symptoms include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Abdominal cramping
- Diarrhea
- Fever and chills
- Fatigue and muscle aches
These symptoms can set in anywhere from a few hours to a full week after consuming tainted meat. Most cases last one to three days, but certain bacteria like Salmonella may persist longer.
In young children, the elderly, and others with weakened immune defenses, foodborne illness often requires hospitalization to treat dehydration and other complications.
Say No to the Danger Zone: Proper Meat Storage Matters
Now that you know the risks, proper storage is key to avoiding food poisoning. Never leave meat or any perishables sitting out for more than two cumulative hours at room temperature.
Instead, follow these safe guidelines:
- Refrigerate below 40°F ASAP after cooking.
- Divide meat into shallow containers to chill faster.
- Freeze for longer storage at 0°F or below.
- Thaw in the refrigerator, never at room temp.
- Discard meat left out more than 2 hours (1 hour if over 90°F).
- When in doubt, throw it out!
Safe handling prevents pathogenic bacteria from reaching dangerous levels. Storing meat correctly isn’t difficult, but it makes a huge difference in staying healthy.
What If You Accidentally Eat Tainted Meat?
We all make mistakes, and no one handles leftovers perfectly 100% of the time. If you eat questionable meat, your risk depends on:
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Type of bacteria – Some are more dangerous. E. coli and Salmonella commonly cause outbreaks.
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Amount consumed – Bacterial dose affects severity. Small tastes vs. large portions.
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Your health – Age, medications, diet, lifestyle, etc. impact immunity.
In healthy adults, a small amount of bacteria may cause only minor stomach upset. But avoid taking chances, especially if high-risk.
Seek medical care immediately if you have severe vomiting, bloody stool, high fever, or signs of dehydration after consuming meat left out overnight. Catching food poisoning early makes it easier to treat.
Don’t Let Your Leftovers Go to Waste
A little planning goes a long way in leveraging leftovers while avoiding food safety risks. With proper storage, prep, and handling, you can stop worrying about last night’s steak and simply enjoy the delicious tastes and cost savings.
Follow our guidelines to keep pathogenic bacteria from crashing the leftovers party. We want your post-BBQ meat to bring joy, not misery and doctors’ visits!
Stay vigilant against the “danger zone,” but don’t become so anxious about leftovers that you miss out on great home-cooked flavor. Just consistently prioritize proper handling and storage.
With a few simple precautions, you can share meals safely with family and friends without leftovers becoming a gamble. Just make “when in doubt, throw it out” your motto.
So protect yourself, but don’t be too timid to enjoy those cooked meat dishes a second time around!
Consequences of Eating Contaminated Meat
The USDA says that eating pathogenic bacteria causes food poisoning that sends 128,000 people to the hospital and kills 3,000 each year. Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps and fever are the most common symptoms of food poisoning. They can show up up to a week or as little as four hours after eating food that was contaminated. They can last from anywhere between a day to a week.
The USDA says that some groups of people are more likely to get sick than others. These include pregnant women, kids, older adults, and people whose immune systems aren’t as strong, like those who have had a transplant, diabetes, kidney disease, cancer, or HIV/AIDS. For these groups with increased vulnerability, food poisoning can even be fatal.
Apart from food poisoning, consuming pathogenic bacteria could have other consequences as well. A March 2019 study published in the journal Diseases links Salmonella consumption to cancer as well as inflammatory conditions like bowel disease. Another study, published in the April 2015 issue of the journal Pediatrics in Review, links E. coli to urinary tract infections, septicemia and meningitis in children.
How Long Can You Leave Food Out?
FAQ
What happens if I eat beef left out overnight?
How long can beef be unrefrigerated?
Is it okay to eat food that was left out overnight?
Can you leave beef out overnight to defrost?
Can you leave meat out overnight?
A perishable food, such as meat or poultry, may not be safe if it has been out at room temperature for more than two hours or overnight. Discard it, even though it may look and smell good. Can I leave beef out for 5 hours?
Is it safe to leave food out overnight?
If a perishable food (such as meat or poultry) has been left out at room temperature overnight (more than two hours) it may not be safe. Discard it, even though it may look and smell good. Never taste a food to see if it is spoiled. . Never leave food in the Danger Zone over two hours; one hour if outside temperature is above 90 °F.
Can you leave cooked beef outside overnight?
As a result, you should throw away any cooked beef that is left outside overnight. Normally, cooked beef is kept in the refrigerator for three to four days. However, leaving beef at room temperature is a little different. In a nutshell, the risk of spoilage increases the longer cooked beef is left to stand at room temperature.
Can you eat cooked beef if you can’t see it?
Despite the fact that it may appear to be safe to eat, this food may not be. Remember, you cannot see bacteria with the naked eye. Additionally, just because you cannot see something does not mean that it is not there. As a result, you should throw away any cooked beef that is left outside overnight.