NEED ADVICE ASAP about meat left out

[Lynndsey Rigberg]

Chowhound Chefs,

This morning at 8:30AM I marinated two flank steaks. I left for work...and when I got home at 6pm, I found that I had left them outside of the fridge! They were sitting in the sink in the zip lock bags I had marinated them in, and the house temperature has been about 64-65 F.

Would you still cook and eat this? I would hate to waste 35 bucks of meat, but I also don't want food poisoning!

Thanks for advice!

[jewels_vancouver]

Recently, I had walked to the grocery store (purchased the usuals plus a chicken breast) but got sidetracked on the way home...a little shopping...a glass of wine...4 hours later realizing the chicken was out the whole time! Well, I cooked and ate and am still alive :)

[cheri]

I feel your pain (I recently did the same type of thing myself w/an expensive cut), however,

You have a 4 hour window of safety where food can be in the danger zone, which is above 40 degrees and below 140 degrees.
After that you should discard it.

[junescook]

Are you going to eat them raw or cook them, taking the outside temp to well over 180? (that's what might have gotten a bit gamey, right?)

[Phurstluv]

I assume they planned on cooking them, but that is a good question, nonetheless.

[c oliver]

Although our darling Dr. Sam has passed away, here's his "Magic House" thread.

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/5724...

[pikawicca]

I've girded my loins, and removed a leg of lamb to thaw on the counter overnight. If I kill my family and friends, Sam's got a lot to answer for.

[c oliver]

I can't begin to express how proud of you I am. Go, girl!

[pikawicca]

Well, the only reason I'm willing to go there is that the OP said she'd marinated them. Therefore, I assume an acidic environment which would deter bed things. I'd probably feel differently about a plain sack of meat left out all day. I have a ways to go to achieve Sam's Magic House insouciance. I'll keep trying.

[Phurstluv]

Good call. And if only we still had his unlimited wisdom & wit.............

[pikawicca]

Well, hell, I'll channel my inner Sam and say, what the hell, of course you should cook them!

[Phurstluv]

Oh, pick, I'm sooooo glad you said this, and I am not the only one!!!!!!! For Real!!!