Unsure if you’re buying the best meat money can buy? Or at least the best from what’s available at your local grocery store? Picking out the right meat can make the difference between a delectable meal and days spent recovering from food poisoning.
Choosing quality meat isn’t as complicated as you might expect. These pointers will help you know what to look for the next time you’re getting ready to eat.
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A Question of Color
Color is an obvious thing to look for when you want to buy meat, and it’s hard not to notice unless you’re picking things up quickly. And the color to look for when meat shopping will depend on the type of meat you want.
If you’re looking for red meat, it should be dark in color ranging between red, brown, or even purple. Brown meat has been exposed to oxygen and is still safe to eat.
Game meat should be dark brown and pork should be light pink. Poultry meat can range in color, and changes depending on the bird and the diet. It should be in the range of bluish-white to yellow.
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Smell That?
You might think that both good meat and bad meat smell kind of funky, but if there is a strong smell at all you’re better off choosing a different cut. Meat shouldn’t have an excessively pungent smell, and it definitely shouldn’t smell like anything rotten.
While it might seem gross to sniff a bunch of meat, even in a package, it will give you a good idea of how good it is.
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Make The Cut
When you’re buying beef and poultry there are a few different things to look for or that you can notice. Generally, with any meat product, you want clean cuts that look even, smooth, and uniform.
Low-quality meat may look a little more disheveled based on how it’s cut. They won’t take as much time to keep it even and it will look rougher in general.
You can also look at the amount of fat on the meat, depending on the kind you want. Meat with white flecks of fat in it will be a nicer and juicier cut to eat. This is called marbling and is often more expensive.
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Package
There are some obvious indicators about how good meat is based on the packaging. Always check the sell-by date and the use-by date to make sure it is within the safe range to buy and eat. And there are additional labels to look for if you prefer your meat to come from free-range or grass-fed farms.
Finding Quality Meat
Quality meat can make or break a meal, so you want to carefully consider what you buy when at the store. Always use your senses to determine if it is fresh and was handled with care.
If you’re ever at a total loss you can always consult the butcher. They should be able to help you choose the perfect cut for your evening. And if this helped you feel more confident about your next meat shopping trip, keep reading for more useful tips.
