My Meat Turned Color, Should I Throw It Out?

I bought steak tips a few days ago, and when I went to use them on their sell-by date, they had  funky, weird grayish spots! It made me a little nervous so I did some research.

Red Meat:

• Not all red meats are the same color. They are affected by the animal's species, sex, diet and especially their age, which can produce a darker colored meat.
• Meat will darken with prolonged exposure to air and light.
• Raw meat that is frozen can change colors, like frozen hamburger patties.

Poultry:

• Poultry can also change colors when it's been frozen raw.
• Weird skin color on my chicken gives me pause, but it's the same deal as red meat as far as appearances go. There are many factors at play: diet, exercise, sex, breed and age.

Bottom Line;

It may not be appetizing, but most of the time color changes are OK, as long as your meat has been properly stored and you eat it within a safe period of time. The real give away to bad meat is an off smell and if it's sticky or slimy. Let your inner caveman touch and sniff and decide if it's pizza delivery night!

Those steak tips were delicious.

Celeste