Why Does My Ground Beef Smell Like Eggs? When To Avoid Eating

If your ground beef smells like eggs it is due to the substances that causes sulfur, which gives an egg-like smell when beef begins to spoil. When the beef smells like eggs, it’s time to dispose of it to avoid food poisoning!

Ground beef is among the most sought-after meats across the United States, let alone the world, and for a good reason! It’s highly adaptable and delicious.

It can create meatballs, burgers, tacos, and tacos, spaghetti sauce lasagna, meat pies, lasagna, and other delicious dishes.

Sometimes, we purchase a bag of beef ground with great intentions of cooking it into something tasty like tacos, burgers, or tacos.

Then life gets hectic, and before we know it, an entire week has gone by, and the beef in the ground smells sulfurous like rotten eggs.

You might wonder why your beef smells this way, what that means, and if it’s safe to take it in.

If you buy fresh beef, it shouldn’t have any smell whatsoever, so any smell beyond this is an indication of concern and a sign that it’s time to dispose of it.

Take a look to learn more about this smell and how to do it!

What Causes Ground Beef To Smell Like Eggs?

If beef is ground up, it creates greater surfaces for oxygen pathogenic bacteria and spoilage to be exposed to. The process of grinding and the larger surface area mean that this type of beef spoils faster than a steak or roast.

These kinds of bacteria could cause the beef to spoil and cause food poisoning if enough pathogenic bacteria exist inside the beef.

If your meat has passed the expiration date, is sticky or slimy, or was not stored correctly, it smells like eggs; the best choice is to dispose of it.

Certain bacteria interact with blood and proteins, releasing sulfur-based, egg-like scent. Ground beef that is not properly cooked can also emit an ammonia smell. In any event, throwing away the beef carcass is better than putting yourself at risk of becoming sick.

Why Does My Vacuum Sealed Ground Beef Come With A Strange Smell?

If you purchase beef at the supermarket, it arrives in a sealed vacuum bag to keep it fresher longer.

Sealing with a vacuum eliminates the package’s air and reduces the spoilage risk. However, it may also capture all the smells that naturally come from the beef that has been ground.

Most of the time, so long that the texture, color, and sell-by date are in good order, the smell should not be concerned about. It is usually the first release of natural odors from the meat and juices.

When the expiration date has expired, or the smell persists for a long time after you have opened the bag and smells eggy or rancid, then the meat may have spoiled, and you need to throw it away to ensure you are on the safe side.

Find pink or red beef from the exterior, but it could be more grey or brown inside because it’s not exposed to oxygen. This is the reason why meat is bright in hue.

Also, you would like ground meat that is firmer in texture and breaks up when you squeeze it.

If your beef is sticky or slimy, feel it indicates that the meat will likely become spoiled. Hence, you must make sure you throw it out.

How To Keep Your Ground Beef From Spoiling

To stop your meat from becoming spoiled, I recommend you cut it into portions when you return home and freeze it. And, yes, you can easily cook frozen ground beef!

The freezing process prevents the development of spoilage and pathogenic bacteria. It does not affect the taste or texture of the food as long as you consume it within 6 to 12 months for the highest quality.

• If you purchase large value packs, divide them into individual or family serving sizes.
• Place the beef in freezer bags and squeeze out any air left before sealing.
• Write the date and the contents on the piece of masking tape and then adhere it to the bag. This will ensure that you don’t make use of old beef.
• Store in the freezer and use it within 6-12 months.

You can also store the smaller portions made of beef right when you come home from the supermarket.

If you’re not sure when you’ll need it, or you know that you’ll have a busy week to come up, simply put your freezer in, and remove it in the evening before you plan to use it. Then, let it cool in the refrigerator for a few hours.