• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
End of the Fork
menu icon
go to homepage
  • RECIPES
  • HOW-TO
  • ABOUT
  • SUBSCRIBE
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • RECIPES
    • HOW-TO
    • ABOUT
    • SUBSCRIBE
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Cooking Tips

    Storing Meats

    Published Jan 19, 2021, modified Mar 21, 2022 by Nicole Shroff / This site uses cookies. See the privacy policy linked in my footer. This site generates income via ads/ Leave a Comment

    Pin image of two cuts of meat with a knife on cutting board

    Safely store meats and poultry, and how to tell if they are spoiled.

    You may have had moments of uncertainty when unwrapping steaks or the roast beef you were saving for dinner, to find the colour has changed and it now has an unfamiliar green tinge to it.

    I am frequently asked questions on the colour of meats and poultry, and how to tell if they are spoiled and unsafe to eat.

    strips of meat next to a knife on chopping board
    Jump to:
    • What can we tell from the colour?
    • Beef
    • Poultry
    • Ideal Surface Colour Of Fresh Meat, Fish & Poultry
    • Freezer burn
    • Smoked and cured meats
    • Meat & Poultry Cold Storage Chart
    • How to tell if meat has spoiled

    What can we tell from the colour?

    It is useful to know that the colour of fresh meat changes depending on several factors.

    The colour of meat is associated with a protein stored in the muscle called myoglobin.

    Beef, lamb and goat meat all have higher levels of myoglobin compared with pork, veal or poultry, while the meat of wild animals will have the highest levels due to animals in the wild being more physically active.

    When myoglobin comes into contact with oxygen in the air it gradually begins to oxidise and high myoglobin meats will begin to change colour from a dark red/purple to a brighter red.

    This change in colour is known as blooming, and we consider this to be the ideal colour for red meat.

    However darker or lighter shades are not necessarily an indication that the meat has spoiled as variations will occur according to the breed, age, diet, exercise, freshness, packaging and how it is stored.

    For example meat from older animals and those which benefit from more exercise tends to be darker.

    Beef

    Very fresh beef as well as vacuum packed beef will be purplish-red in colour.

    As meat is exposed to air and light, it gradually turns cherry-red and eventually after a few days it becomes brownish-red.

    Darkened beef does not mean it is spoiled and is suitable for consumption as long as it is within its best before dates and has been stored correctly.

    The same goes for packaged ground beef which may be darker on the outside, while remaining red on the inside.

    It is also quite normal to find steaks displaying different best before dates, in a range of shades from a cherry-red to brownish-red.

    Beef chunks, steaks or slices will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days, or 4-12 months in the freezer. Fresh ground beef should be kept chilled and used within 48 hours.

    See the Meat & Poultry Cold Food Storage Chart below for storage time & temperatures.

    Correctly stored beef within its use by dates may look slightly iridescent in parts and have a slight greenish tinge.

    This is does not mean it has spoiled but it is due to its high iron content, fat and other compounds as well as how light reflects on its surface. This meat is safe to eat.

    Veal

    Veal has a much lighter colour than beef. The meat of a milk-fed calf is light pink but once the calf is weaned and starts eating grass, the flesh begins to darken.

    Cooked veal will be browned on the outside and light pink inside.

    Find out more about cooking your meats to a safe temperature.

    How to prevent discolouration

    To prevent further discolouration of red meat, wrap the cuts in paper so the meat is not exposed, and then in plastic wrap to prevent any exposure to air and light.

    Label and store the packets of meat in the fridge at a maximum temperature of 4℃/39℉ (this is the maximum temperature your fridge should be set to).

    Poultry

    Poultry consists of both white and dark meat.

    Raw breast cuts are light pink turning white when heated, while thighs and drumsticks are a deeper pink turning light brown when cooked.

    Younger poultry may have a slightly blueish tinge as it has less fat under the skin, while corn-fed chicken or one fed on marigolds will have yellow meat and skin.

    Young chickens may also have a little darkening around the bones when cooked as the bones have not yet fully calcified, allowing some pigment to escape. This is also natural and the meat is safe to eat.

    Ideal Surface Colour Of Fresh Meat, Fish & Poultry

    FoodColour
    Beefcherry red
    Lamb/Goatdark cherry-red
    Porkgreyish-pink
    Vealpale pink
    Fishpure/grey white to pink
    Poultrygrey-white to pink

    Meat and poultry should be wrapped well and safely stored at the correct temperature to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria which could lead to food poisoning.

    Freezer burn

    Meat and poultry stored in the freezer for long periods of time may develop white patches from freezer burn.

    This may also happen if the packaging becomes loose allowing the contents to be exposed to air.

    As long as there has been no cross-contamination from other stored ingredients these parts are safe to eat but will be dry and tasteless, so it is best to trim them away.

    Smoked and cured meats

    Chemicals, such as nitrites, used for curing may also affect the colour of meat.

    Smoked poultry is pink due to colour added in the smoking process.

    Meat & Poultry Cold Storage Chart

    FoodTypeFridge
    4℃/39℉
    or below
    Freezer
    -18℃/ 0℉
    or below
    Bacon1 week1 month
    SausageRaw sausages Chicken/turkey/pork/beef1-2 days1-2 months
    Cooked sausages Chicken/turkey/pork/beef
    1 week1-2 months
    Ground meatsBeef/turkey/veal/pork/lamb/goat/any combination1-2 days3-4 months
    Fresh cutsFresh beef, veal, lamb, goat, pork3-4 days4-12 months
    Fresh poultryWhole chicken/turkey1-2 days9 months
    Pieces chicken/turkey1-2 days1 year
    LeftoversCooked meats/poultry3-4 days2-6 months

    Foodsafety.gov

    How to tell if meat has spoiled

    If meat or poultry has passed its use by or storage date, was not packaged properly, or stored at the correct temperature, it may no longer be fit for consumption.

    Do not taste meat to determine if it has spoiled and cooking spoiled meat will not destroy the toxins nor make it safe to eat.

    These indications below show spoilage in which case the meat should be thrown away:

    • there may be fading or darkening in colour with an unusual or offensive odour. The bad smell indicates presence of harmful bacteria and toxins (it may smell of ammonia or sulfur).
    • the surface may be sticky or slimy to touch.

    More Cooking tips

    • Empty Kilner glass jars next to their lids on a cloth.
      Canning Sauces
    • Image of closeup of grilled meat with herbs.
      Safe Cooking Temperatures
    • Four photos showing various seasonal produce
      Eating Seasonally
    • Black Mission figs on wooden table
      Cooking With Figs

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Photo of Nicole.

    Browse my site for healthy and seasonal recipes from around the world, read about great ingredients, and get handy tips for working in the kitchen. Also, check out my restaurant reviews for some great dining experiences! more about me →

    Eating Seasonally

    What are in season foods and why we should be eating seasonally

    Spring Recipes

    • Butter beans salad in red bowl.
      Italian Butter Bean Salad
    • Baked frittata in a cast iron wedge pan.
      Mini Frittatas
    • Cowboy salsa in a red bowl surrounded by ingredients.
      Cowboy Salsa
    • Blueberry blondies on baking paper.
      Blueberry Blondies

    What is the healthiest meat?

    We look at the differences between lamb, goat, mutton and chicken.

    Trending Now

    • Image of Linguine with tomato sauce and fresh basil in white bowl
      Pasta With Ricotta And Tomato Sauce
    • Image of broccoli cheese muffins on wooden board.
      Broccoli & Cheese Breakfast Muffins
    • Image of overhead view of zigni on injera bread.
      Zigni
    • Image closeup of cooked cavolo nero in green bowl.
      Cavolo Nero With Garlic And Lemon

    Top Categories

    Breakfast Chicken Lamb Seafood Light Meals Soup Salad Sides Beans Cookies Dessert

    Easter Recipes

    • Image of lemon cheesecake decorated with raspberries.
      No-Bake Lemon Cheesecake
    • Rice krispie treats on a teal plate.
      Rice Krispies Treats
    • Image of side view of strawberry tart.
      Strawberry Custard Tart
    • Close up of roasted lamb ribs on white platter.
      Turkish Lamb Ribs

    Footer

    As seen in graphic.

    ^ back to top

    • About
    • Privacy policy
    • Meal planner
    • Subscribe
    • Contact
    • Work with me
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • YouTube
    • Mail
    • Pinterest

    @ 2023 End of the Fork. All Rights Reserved.