How to tell if a meat item is fresh or has expired – This guide teaches you how to spot bad meats, especially those sold at stores near you.
If you want to cook better food, then you should start knowing about how to choose and store food items. Meat is one of the foods that you would always see around on the shelves. Knowing how to identify and read meat labels can save you from purchasing meat items that don’t taste great.
Meat is a vital part of our daily meals. Its quality affects the overall flavor and nutrition of our food options. Learn how to recognize the different types of meat, and how to choose the correct ones. It’s time to take charge of your mealtime.
If you’re cooking lamb shank, you need to make sure they’re fresh! After you purchase them, store them in the refrigerator or freezer until ready to use. Here’s what we mean: Make sure to check the meat before using it. Sometimes the butcher will cut off a portion of the bone, leaving behind a thin layer of meat around it. That piece should always be removed (or at least trimmed) prior to being cooked. You don’t want any of those bits of bone sticking out – it’ll just get chewed right off by your guests! In terms of size, lamb shanks tend to shrink quite a bit after they’ve been frozen. So, remove the thawing period when making soup, stew, etc., and it won’t seem anywhere near as big as it was when purchased!
How long do lamb shanks last once they’ve defrosted?
Well, that depends on how much time you have, as well as how often you plan to cook them. We recommend freezing them for no longer than two months, then reheating them whenever you prepare a meal. Otherwise, defrosting in the fridge for about 24 hours in advance may work fine, depending on your schedule. Just remember to cover them with foil before storing them in the refrigerator to prevent any drying out. As a general rule, lamb shanks freeze best when raw; however, we think the flavor is enhanced by roasting first.
We have prepared for you some tips that will help you recognize fresh lamb meat, and your meals will always be delicious.
- Lamb Shanks should have some red meat attached to them.
Make sure not to cut off any meat to make sure they aren’t dry. If the meat looks like it’s been removed, then throw those shanks out immediately. Do not use anything before its expiration date. The shanks should always smell like a lamb. If the odor is not similar to it, it would be advisable to toss the meat away.
- The texture should feel soft and pliable under your touch.
If you try to touch the shanks with your fingers and it feels hard or firm, it only means that the meat is at least a week old, or worse, a couple of weeks stored in the fridge. Another trick that you can use to distinguish fresh from old meat is its moisture. Lamb shanks should feel wet under your touch. If it does, then it is the right choice for you and you can take it home and prepare a nice and tasteful lunch or dinner. After purchasing the lamb, take it home and wash off the blood, fat, etc. When choosing your cut of protein, go for something that looks clean, not slimy.
- Look at the color
It’s best to look at lamb shanks meat to see how it looks before cooking. If it appears bright red then it probably means they’re still bloody inside. The Lamb shank should be pinkish-red in color rather than greyish-white or dark purple. It should look natural. Their color should match what they were when they were first bought. If their color has changed due to dirt or mold, then toss them out immediately.
However, when it starts turning brownish-gray/yellowish in color, then it means that it has been sitting around for quite some time. On top of that, even though the meat may not be spoiled yet, it won’t taste good anymore.
- Easily detectable by smell
Perhaps one of the most relevant signs indicating the freshness of the meat is its smell. And without knowing what the inherent smell of lamb meat is, you will be able to recognize very easily and quickly whether it is the right piece for you. We know very well that any meat that is in the stage of aging or decay has an unpleasant smell that makes us repulsive. It is enough to get within a few centimeters of it and inhale the smell, if you feel an unpleasant aroma and are not sure that it is the right choice for you, I would recommend you to skip the lamb for lunch and choose a safer option.
What you should do in order to avoid spoiled meat
If you don’t want to eat anything that’s already expired or spoilt, you should always remember to put it back in the fridge right after you buy it. Not only does this prevent the product from going bad but it also prevents anyone else who eats it from getting sick. If you notice any sign of spoilage, you shouldn’t keep the food in your home for long, especially meats. Instead, get rid of the meat right away and throw it away. Don’t leave leftovers in your refrigerator either, because you never know what could happen to those foods.
Instead of taking the risk of buying low-quality lamb shanks and ruining today’s meal, there is always a better alternative, which is to make a simple and quick order of a prepared meal on denshotdogs.com for the whole family.
In conclusion, if you want to avoid eating spoiled meat, just follow these tips. Make sure you check the expiration date and store your meat properly. Also, do not forget to wash all utensils used for preparing the meat thoroughly so as to avoid cross-contamination.