I look for packages that are airtight or vacuum sealed, says Crabtree.
When it is vacuum sealed, there is lessbacterial growthand it preserves the quality.
If the beef has an off-putting or rancid smell, it has likelygone bad, says Crabtree.
Photo:Istetiana/Getty Images
Fresh ground beef does not have a pungent odor to it.
The packaging date, sell-by date, and expiration date can all key you in.
When looking at the expiration date, think about when you will want to eat it, says Crabtree.
When purchasing ground beef, consider how you plan to use it.
This can be a bonus foron sale meat.
If you are cookinghamburgers, I would not use expired ground beef, Crabtree emphasizes.
Check the Ingredient List
When youre buying ground beef, thats all youre buying.
An ingredient label that contains unfamiliar additives, preservatives, orflavorsis a red flag.
Look at the ingredient label and see to it the only ingredient listed is ground beef, says Crabtree.
My preference is to buy local meat from a farm in bulk, says Crabtree.
