Does Your Steak Seem a Little Off? How To Tell if Steak Is Bad, According to Chefs & Culinary Pros

Christina Heiser
·6 min read
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How long can steak stay in the fridge—and what does bad steak smell like? Here’s what you need to know.

Steak easily elevates any meal—so if you’re looking to impress your family or guests, it’s really a no-brainer to serve for dinner. But what if you stocked up on steaks the last time you went to the grocery store and are now wondering whether they’re actually still good? We chatted with a few chefs and other industry experts to explain exactly how to tell if steak is bad, how long steak lasts in the fridge and more.

Related: 40 Easy Steak Dinner Ideas

How To Tell if Steak Is Bad: 5 Signs to Watch Out for

First things first, there are a few visible signs that the steak in your fridge is past its prime. Here are the top five signs to be aware of.

1. It’s changed color

Steaks that are past their freshness will turn a greenish-brown color, notes Michael Senich, vice president and corporate executive chef for LongHorn Steakhouse. So if your steak has turned a dramatically different hue, it’s worth throwing out.

2. It smells bad

Take a whiff. If your steak smells like sulfur or ammonia, then it’s time to let it go, says Kai Chase, celebrity chef.

3. It’s sticky

Has your steak changed its texture? If it feels sticky or slippery, then it’s no longer good, says Chase. She explains that raw steak should be firm and slightly moist.

4. It’s moldy

If there’s visible mold on the steak, then you should definitely toss it, says Elizabeth Shaw, RN, president of Shaw Simple Swaps and author of Instant Pot Cookbook for Dummies. In some cases, mold can cause food poisoning, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

5. It’s past the sell-by and/or use-by date

Not sure if your steak has gone bad? “I recommend paying attention to the sell-by date, along with the color and smell of the steak if you’re in doubt,” says Chase. She explains that the sell-by date indicates the day your butcher or grocery store must sell the steak and that it’s generally fine to eat it for a couple of days after the sell-by date. “The use-by date indicates the day you’ll need to cook or freeze the steak before it goes bad,” adds Chase.

Related: 15 Types of Steak—and How to Cook Them

How To Tell if Raw Steak Is Bad

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Raw steak that’s gone bad will typically have an off odor and may smell like sulfur or ammonia, says Chase. Shaw adds that it will usually have brown spots and it may have a tacky texture. It may even turn a greenish-brown hue, says Senich.

How To Tell if Tuna Steak Is Bad

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The warning signs that a tuna steak has gone bad are similar to that of steak made from beef. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), fresh fish should smell mild, so if your tuna steak smells overly fishy, sour or like ammonia, then it’s got to go. If the fish has discolored, darkened or is drying around the edges, then you should also throw it out, per the FDA.

Related: How To Tell if Your Ground Beef Is Bad Before You Eat It

How To Tell if Frozen Steak Is Bad

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According to the USDA, frozen foods stay good indefinitely. (Rejoice!) However, the taste will degrade over time. Per the USDA, uncooked frozen steak is typically best when used between four and 12 months. Over time, the quality of the frozen meat (not the safety) will decrease. You may notice that your frozen steak has freezer burn-in spots, which could make it taste dry. The USDA states that if your frozen meat is heavily freezer-burned, then you might have to get rid of it for quality reasons.

How To Tell if Cooked Steak Is Bad

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What if you cooked your steak and have leftovers you’re not sure about? “Similar to raw steak, avoid any cooked steak that has a rancid or odd smell, along with a slimy texture,” says Chase. “If you see mold, that’s a clear sign to toss your leftovers.” As experts, we recommend, when in doubt, throwing it out!

Related: 30 Best Skirt Steak Recipes

Common Questions About Steak, Answered

What does bad steak smell like—and what happens if you cook a spoiled steak?

We got answers to your frequently asked questions.

What does bad steak smell like?

Your nose will be able to tell you if your steak has gone bad. Bad steak may smell like sulfur or ammonia, says Chase. Shaw describes the odor of bad steak as similar to that of a garbage truck. Yuck!

Is it okay to eat steak that has turned gray?

Steak that’s started to turn brown or gray may not be unsafe to eat—but this could be a sign that the quality is starting to degrade and it’s no longer quite as fresh. This change in color is caused by oxidation caused by the change in oxygen, explains Senich. “As long as it has no off-odor, it should be fine but eaten soon,” he says.

What happens if you cook a spoiled steak?

“Cooking steak with heat might kill some of the bacteria in a steak that’s gone bad, but it won’t eliminate the toxins released by the bacteria,” says Chase. “Consuming steak that’s gone bad, even after it has been cooked, can be harmful to your health and cause food poisoning, salmonella or other unwanted health conditions.”

How long do steaks last in the fridge?

Wondering how long can steak stay in the fridge? “When purchasing steaks from the grocery store, always follow the use-by date,” says Senich. “It’s best to cook the steak within two days once the package is opened.”

Related: How To Tell if Bacon is Bad

How To Store Steak in the Fridge or Freezer

Proper storage can make all the difference when it comes to preserving the freshness of steak. When storing raw steaks in the fridge, Chase recommends keeping them laid flat and tightly wrapped in an airtight container.

Shaw suggests storing them in their original container on top of a plate or larger pan on the bottom shelf of your fridge. “This helps to ensure if the package leaks it does not contaminate any of your other items in the fridge,” she says.

As for cooked steaks, Chase says to wait until they’re completely cooled, then store them in an airtight container in the fridge. “Plan to consume cooked steak leftovers within two days,” she says.

When putting steaks in the freezer, Shaw recommends placing them in a zip-tight bag and removing the air before you seal it. Then label the type of meat as well as the date you froze it so you know how long it’s good for, she says.

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