Should truly fresh steak (i. e. still purple) have a smell?
I recently purchased a strip steak from my local grocery. Got home and noticed that the other side (the side that was face down at the deli) had a section that was noticeably purple. If I get really close, there is definitely a smell, but it's not a great smell. I've smelled oxidized (brown) beef before and find it has kind of a "sweet" smell, but this is not that.
My first thought was that I was sold spoiled steak. Then I cut the steak in half and noticed that the inside of the steak was the same color and had the same smell. I don't think steak spoils from the inside out, so now I don't know.
For what it's worth, it's the smell that's got me concerned. There's no other signs of spoilage that I can find--the steak isn't sticky or slimy.
Can anyone provide some expert advice on this? I'm inclined to think it's fine and is just really, REALLY fresh, but I'm hoping someone else knows what's going on.
Best Answer
I ate the steak and was fine. I think it was just an non-oxidized portion of steak. I let it sit in the refrigerator for an hour or so before it I ate it and it's color changed from purple to red, so I'm inclined to think oxidation.
Pictures about "Should truly fresh steak (i. e. still purple) have a smell?"
What should raw steak smell like?
What Does Bad Steak Smell Like? If your steak has gone bad, it will have a distinct smell that smells like eggs, ammonia, or downright sour. Smelling a slight metallic or bloody smell is normal for fresh red meat.How can you tell if a steak is spoiled?
If your steak is bad, it will often look and feel slimy and slippery to the touch. The surface of the meat will have a sheen to it, and the slime may have a yellowish hue when it catches the light.Why is my steak purple?
When meat is fresh and protected from contact with air (such as in vacuum packages), it has the purple-red color that comes from myoglobin, one of the two key pigments responsible for the color of meat.What does spoiled beef smell like?
Perform a smell test Though the scent of fresh ground beef is barely perceptible, rancid meat has a tangy, putrid odor. Once it goes bad, it's no longer safe to eat. The scent changes due to the increased growth of spoilage bacteria, such as Lactobacillus spp.Steak Experiment - FROZEN Steak vs FRESH Steak - Which is BEST?
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