My rib-eyes are 5 days past sell date - still safe?

[Claudette]

Can I still cook them? They smell a little bit funky, but wouldn't they be safe to eat if bacteria is just on the outside, not on the inside (like in ground beef)? I'm planning to brown the heck out of them on the outside and serve them medium. Anyone done this before? TIA.

[joonjoon]

They'll be fine. I actually find that beef is best in terms of taste and texture when it starts to get the funky smell.

[Claudette]

Thanks, everyone - great advice. I washed them, browned them, ate them (delicious), and we're still alive! Yeah!

[todao]

"sell by" dates are an indication of freshness, not a food safety stamp. I always shop the marked down meat section before deciding what to purchase. That dark colored stuff that's several days past its "sell by" date in the mark down section is what I'm looking for. Better quality, lower price. Can't beat the bargain.

[whs]

Agreed, though I only do it with beef. Chicken or fish is another story.

[Hank Hanover]

They should be fine. Consider them aged. If you have any doubt, Wash with a water/vinegar mixture and rinse. If it smells rotten or feels slimy afterwards, throw it out.

[Miltz]

by "funky", do you mean they smell rotten or spoiled?

[Claudette]

Not rotten - just slightly spoiled. I cooked them up and ate a small piece to test them - 3 hours later, and I'm fine and it was delicious. A few years ago I tried "dry-aging" some for a couple of weeks and they had that same slightly funky smell, and they tasted fine but no better than without the aging. This time, I had put the package in the back of the fridge and forgotten about it. I appreciate both your responses, though! Better safe than sorry, as my husband always says...

[hill food]

they're safe, although I wouldn't brown the exterior, just marinade them a while in balsamic vinegar or lime juice. that was the SELL by date not the USE by date. and they were refrigerated. as long as the meat's not green and slimy it's fine. it's beef not chicken.

[ipsedixit]

Agree with hill food, but would recommend browning the exterior.

[jerry i h]

Sorry, you are out of luck. When dealing with meat, beef or otherwise, let your nose be your guide. Toss it: better safe than sorry.