I bought a package of ground beef on Friday and just remembered I didn't freeze it. It's a little brown. Do I use it?
I tossed it. It said use or freeze by April 30. Thank you ladies.
If it's still pink on the inside it's still good. Foods actually stay good longer than most people think. With ground meats if they are getting to the questionable point, I cooked them up and then refrigerate or freeze the cooked meat for spaghetti sauce or sloppy joes, etc, down the road.
I always go by smell.
Check the use by date on the package. I did PR for the meat industry years ago and can reassure you that meat color doesn't tell you whether it's good or not. Ground beef will change color over time (esp. if there's the tiniest bit of air exposure). It's the use by date on the package that matters.
What does the date on the package say?
Open and smell time!
((And when in doubt, toss it out...or treat the dog))
Now... fresh meat can -and does- last for weeks properly refrigerated... but usually the meat we buy in stores is at the very end of it's shelf life (only 2-3 days, some for 4-6 days it depends on the cycle your store uses). Check the date, but always trust your nose over a date that hasn't passed.
3rd day is my rule. Smell it. If it smells fine, take off the brown layer, there will be pink underneath. Cook that to a very high temp
to me raw meat is no good after 3 days left in the fridge
