tri tip Steak was bought on sunday, today is friday and the meat was starting to smell. Color is a getting a bit dark too. Is it gine to cook it medium rare or will i have to cook it well done?
I don’t think you should cook it at all if it’s starting to smell and is darker. I know we’re supposed to like use scientific evidence here but I took ServSafe so I’m basing it off that. At the very least, I would say definitely cook it well done.
Was it vacuum packed until you opened it? If so it’s good for longer.And the cut is one big piece? Also good for longer.
A bit of a smell is normal as it “ripens” but it shouldn’t be slimey. Only you can judge what kind of smell it gives off though.
What is the sell by date? Some cuts of beef may darken with time and others have mentioned oxidation. For instance, I’ve noticed that outside skirt steak will sometimes be much darker than other cuts of steak at the grocery store. Beef can turn brown with either the presence of or lack of oxygen which sounds really weird. Also, how was this packaged as others have asked? If it’s in a cryo-vac bag, it may stink when you first open it.
More info on color: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8Ohdz7rQTc