How can you tell if the pork is bad? Main signs

Spoiling of such a product as meat can happen in the store, and in the refrigerator, and even in the freezer, if you keep it there for a very long time! It is strictly forbidden to eat spoiled product, except in rare cases where "resuscitation" of pork is still possible. Therefore, it is worth to understand the signs of low-quality meat and rules of storage of fresh, marinated or cooked in any other way, pork, so as not to harm the health of their own and their families.

Signs of spoiled pork

Any meat is perishable and should not be kept outside the freezer for more than 2-3 days. Even cooked pork cannot stay fresh for a long time in the refrigerator. Signs of spoiled meat are as follows:

• A pungent, musty odor that hits you sharply in the nose;
• A sticky, slimy, moist surface;
• an unnatural, dark color.

Good pork has a uniform surface. Matte, yellowish, weathered, and clayey indicates the product is beginning to deteriorate. You can also determine the freshness of pork by pressing with your fingers - quality meat returns to its original shape within 10 seconds.

Fresh pork has a pleasant, pinkish color. If the shade is dark, it indicates that the animal was old or that the meat has been on the counter for a long time. But, too pale a surface of the product is not good either. It indicates that the animal consumed more growth hormones than regular feed when fattening.

If the appearance of the meat is questionable, there are several ways to check for freshness:

1. A piece of meat dipped in boiling water will immediately begin to emit an unpleasant, putrid odor.
2. If you cut raw pork with a heated knife to the bone, you can see the first signs of rot.

Important! The pork fat on spoiled meat becomes sticky, and its color becomes gray or pink.

What to do if the meat has gone bad

Only pork that has begun to spoil can be "resuscitated" and used in the preparation of any dishes. For example, meat in the slime without any other signs of spoilage, you need to wash well under running water and soak for 20 minutes in liquid.

Remove the bad smell by soaking in vinegar - a tablespoon per liter of water. Also smelly meat can be marinaded in a wine marinade with the addition of spices and herbs.

If the pork has darkened, you can cut it into separate pieces, wash and dry it with paper towels. Next, leave it in the air for a while. Too dark areas need to be cut out. Do not use them for cooking! In any case, reanimate pork with great care, making sure that it is still edible.

Warning! Do not eat meat that is already rotting. It is not safe for your health and can lead to serious consequences!

Can anything be made out of spoiled meat?

Spoiled meat can only be thrown away! However, if the pork has changed color, has acquired not a very pleasant smell during improper or long storage, then it can be used as food. It is best to subject the meat to marinating, using a mixture of spicy herbs or spices for kebabs, paprika, pepper, thyme, coriander, soy sauce and mustard, onions and garlic. You should keep washed and dried meat in the marinade for 5-6 hours. Then you can bake or roast it on a high heat. The high temperature will destroy toxins and pathogenic microflora, and the dish will be really delicious and juicy.

How to properly store pork

To keep pork fresh for a long time and completely safe for health, it needs to be stored properly. Of course, the best option is a freezer. But you can also keep the product in the refrigerator for a short time. Much depends on whether the meat is to be preserved fresh, marinated or already cooked.

Raw

In the freezer, raw pork without loss of its properties and taste is stored for about 12 months. In the refrigerator - 2-3 days. It is best to keep the meat on the shelf of the refrigerator with the lowest temperature. Such shelves are located near the freezer. The product should be wrapped in a plastic or vacuum bag.

The smaller the pieces of pork, the shorter their shelf life in the refrigerator. To increase the period will help vegetable oil, which should be filled with fresh pork. The access of oxygen will be cut off, which means that the product will remain fresh longer. In addition, the meat in vegetable oil marinates and becomes softer. If you add spices and herbs, it will get an unforgettable fragrance and a richer taste.

Marinated on a kebab

Marinated for shish kebab meat can last in the refrigerator for 8-12 hours. If marinated in one wine vinegar, the pork will last about a week. Not even in the refrigerator. This method of marinating is great for those who go outdoors for a few days.

Cooked

Cooked meat with no loss of flavor stored in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. But, the container must necessarily be hermetically sealed. If you need a longer shelf life, it is better to put roasted or baked pork in a container with a lid and put it in the freezer. Then it will keep for about 2 months.

Smoked

Shelf life of smoked product depends entirely on how the heat treatment was carried out. The longer smoked, the longer can retain its properties in the refrigerator. On average, this pork is quietly stored for up to a week. In the freezer, it can be stored for one year.

Advice! If there is no possibility to keep pork in the freezer in large quantities, it can be processed - boiled stew or dried, dried.