Pork shoulder discoloured in the freezer to a greenish grey colour. What happened?
Yesterday I took a pork shoulder, removed some of the fat and sinew and skin, cut it up into smaller parts, and put them into the freezer in freezer bags. It took me just under half an hour to remove the bits I didn't want.
This morning I took a piece out to defrost to cook later in the week and I noticed that some of the fat that I had left on, had discoloured into a greyish-green colour.
Out of the 5 pieces I put in the fridge, 2 have fat that looks like this. The other 3 piece look alright.
Only the fat and sinew covered area was effected.
It was pretty warm yesterday when I did this. Maybe 32 degrees Celsius. The meat was still a bit cool when it went into the freezer.
What's happened?
Best Answer
If you got air in the freezer bag, my guess is the meat probably just oxidized. When meat is exposed to oxygen it turns a grayish color. The meat is not bad. You can still use it and you won't even be able to tell that it was gray at one point.
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Quick Answer about "Pork shoulder discoloured in the freezer to a greenish grey colour. What happened?"
Nitrates in the curing process can cause the meat to have a greenish nearly rainbow kind of sheen to it as they can undergo pigment changes when exposed to light and air due to a chemical reaction.Why did my pork turn green in the freezer?
This is because meat contains iron, fat, and other compounds. When light shines on a slice of meat, it splits into colors like a rainbow. There are various pigments in meat compounds that can give it an iridescent or greenish cast when exposed to heat and processing.What does it mean if pork is green?
If a foul odor is being emitted from the pork, or if the meat has a grey, brown or has a green tint, it is likely rotten. Examine the surface of the pork. The presence of growth resembling tiny hairs, or a film of slime on the meat indicates mold spoilage.Is it OK if pork is grey?
Make sure that your pork is still good before cooking it. Signs of bad pork are dull grey in color, bad odor or sour smell, and it if is mushy or slimy at all. It's best to throw it away you are in question with any of these.What does it mean when pork turns grey?
Pork Safety A gray color is a sign that the juices within the pork's tissues have oxidized and broken down, and the pork is past its prime. Any "off" smells or a sticky feeling on the surface of the pork should also warn you.Smoked Kurobuta Whole Pork Shoulder
More answers regarding pork shoulder discoloured in the freezer to a greenish grey colour. What happened?
Answer 2
Is it a cured ham or a straight uncured pork shoulder? Nitrates in the curing process can cause the meat to have a greenish nearly rainbow kind of sheen to it as they can undergo pigment changes when exposed to light and air due to a chemical reaction.
Answer 3
Unless the pork is a major economic investment--and believe me, I understand that--remember: "when in doubt, throw it out."
It is very difficult to diagnose what this is based on the description. I am hoping it is something innocuous like a reaction from acid and a pot's materials, or a trick of the light.
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