Does brown beef mean its off?!
Answers: some beef I have has gone a slight brownish colour it has been in the fridge and the use by date is today it doesnt look fresh to me. should I still use it?
It oxidizes as it ages, thus the brown color. If the date is not passed and you did not leave it out accidentally when purchased, then it should be good for at least couple days. Is it a use or sell by date. My market has sell by. The color can be off putting, but my butcher father in law, assured me he raised 5 kids on brown meat, they could not sell because the color put off customers.
If it smells good it will be fine.
Bert
Go by smell - sometimes meat will cook a little in its own juices in the fridge (sort of like it's marinading) and will change colour, but will still be OK. You'll be able to smell if it's really not right to eat.
If it smells foul chuck it. But if it doesn't have a foul odor cook it immediately. Let cool and put in fridge until you are ready to prepare an entire meal.
When in doubt throw it out
Beef exposed to air turns brown. As long as it doesn't stink to high heavens, cook it well and enjoy, no flavor harmed. I find that ground beef turns quickest so I always repackage it when it's in the frig, I put it in an airtight container. (The old German cooks will hang a side of beef in the walk in and let it "age" for several days before cutting and cooking steaks and the like. They say it adds flavor. Others will say that the fresher the meat the better. It's all a matter of opinion and like rear ends, everybody has one.)
As long as it's (mostly) been refrigerated...it's even better. Beef contains a lot of water....the brown tint is the water evaporating....When cooking the water "boils" the meat...and that's not good...if there is no water...it cooks very nicely and will be more tender. They say "the butcher's dog gets the best meat".
As beef ages after being cut it begins to darken and turn brown. That is natural and will not ruin your dish. Especially in steaks, the flavor and tenderness improves as it ages.
is beef is refrigerated it can last up to 1 month it was forzen it can last up to six months.
Everyone who told you to go by smell is correct!
Unfortunately, grocery stores are using a chemical rinse that keeps meat from turning brown. Just because it looks good, doesn't mean it is... likewise, just because it looks bad, doesn't mean it is.
I smell all meat before I cook it.
The nose knows. ;-)