Is It Safe To Eat Ground Beef If It Has Turned Gray?
Ground beef is something that seems like it should be simple and straightforward, but the truth is that there is more to buying and using it than meets the eye. From understanding how to choose the best ground beef at the grocery store to avoiding common mistakes when cooking with ground beef, there is a lot of knowledge out there to gain — and knowledge is truly half the battle. Understanding the difference between cooking myths and actual truth can help you in the kitchen.
One of the most common myths when it comes to ground beef is that if it looks gray, it has to go. The reality is much more complex. In fact, ground beef that has turned gray can be perfectly edible! The gray appearance is likely just due to having no contact or exposure to oxygen.
Ground beef is typically associated with a bright red hue, but this color is actually the result of direct contact with oxygen. Gray ground beef has simply had the opposite reaction. It might look unpleasant, but chances are your ground beef is still safe to eat. Instead, look for odor or texture changes to determine if the ground beef has expired.
What going gray means for ground beef
Grayness on ground beef is merely a scientific reaction to a lack of oxygen. Although other things can affect the color of ground beef, such as temperature, light, and microbial growth, this particular change in color of ground beef is likely due to lack of oxygen exposure.
What matters most when ground beef has turned gray is the location of the discoloration. Gray discoloration on the interior of ground beef is typically safe to consume, as this just means the inner parts of the ground beef have not had any exposure to oxygen yet. However, gray on the exterior of ground beef could potentially mean that it has started to spoil.
If ground beef is mostly or entirely gray inside and outside, it is likely it has begun to spoil. To confirm this, try smelling the ground beef and giving it a gentle poke. If ground beef is mostly gray with a sour smell or a slimy and sticky texture, it has certainly spoiled and should be tossed.