Should You Eat Steak That's Turning Brown? - StillTasty

Should You Eat Steak That's Turning Brown?

Question: I purchased some steaks a couple of days ago and they’ve been refrigerated the whole time. But now the color of the meat has become darker and more brown. Are the steaks still safe?

Answer: The steaks should be fine, given that you’ve been storing them properly.

Why Is Your Steak Turning Brown?

As the U.S. Department of Agriculture points out, it’s normal for fresh meat to change color during refrigerator storage. For instance, it’s common for beef to turn more of a brownish shade, due to oxidation.

When raw meat goes truly bad, on the other hand, other signs of spoilage are usually present, including an off odor, a sticky or tacky feel, or a slimy appearance.

And as detailed here, raw steak can be safely refrigerated for three to five days.

See Also:

How Long Does Thawed Steak Last in the Fridge?

How Long Does Cooked Steak Last?

Is It OK to Thaw Steak on the Counter?

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Steak that's changed color