7 Things to Look for When Shopping for Ground Beef, According to a Food Safety Pro

Ground beef is a staple in so many American homes, but shopping for the essential meat item can be a bit perplexing. With so many brands, packaging styles, fat percentage options, all-natural claims, and more, knowing which ground beef is best can feel overwhelming at times. Factor in the record high price of ground beef, an average of $5.50 per pound across America as of July 2024, and you want to be sure you’re making the right choice. Sure, ground beef on sale or final markdown sounds great for the budget, but how safe is it to actually consume? A quick onceover of supermarket beef can help fill you in on essential health and safety info. 

“It is so important to read the entire label on ground beef,” says Stephanie Crabtree, MS, RD. “I want to know where the meat is from, what is the fat ratio of the beef, what is the best-by or expiration date, and how it is packaged.” 

Read on for how to shop for ground beef, including helpful shopping tips: 

Pick a Tightly Packaged Ground Beef

The tighter the ground beef is packaged, the fresher it should be. “I look for packages that are airtight or vacuum sealed,” says Crabtree. “When it is vacuum sealed, there is less bacterial growth and it preserves the quality. If it is sealed in a plastic wrap, make sure there are no holes or places where air could get in.” 

Red Beef Is Best

Ground beef turns brown when oxidized, so a brown hue on fresh ground beef is a sign it’s not packaged safely. “If the meat looks brown instead of a reddish color, that could be due to oxygen getting into the package,” confirms Crabtree. While a slight layer of brown on fresh ground beef doesn’t necessarily mean it’s spoiled, the beef is well on its way to becoming inedible. 

Smell Your Fresh Ground Beef

Just like any meat, fish, or produce you purchase, ground beef should get a quick smell test to ensure it’s fresh and safe to eat. “If the beef has an off-putting or rancid smell, it has likely gone bad,” says Crabtree. “Fresh ground beef does not have a pungent odor to it. If you can smell the beef in the package at the store, that would be a red flag that it might not be best to eat.”

Check the Texture

A package of ground beef should be dry, not leaky or seeping liquids in any way. If you open the ground beef and the texture is off, it is not safe to eat.“If it is slimy or sticky when touched, that is another indication that the meat has gone bad,” says Crabtree. 

Peep the Expiration Date 

A safe portion of ground beef will have all the info on the label that you need to make the most informed purchase. 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. “You can always freeze ground beef safely to use at a later time—up to 4 months past the expiration date.” When purchasing ground beef, consider how you plan to use it. “If you are throwing it into a sauce or casserole that will be well cooked, you can probably use meat close to or on the expiration date,” adds Crabtree. This can be a bonus for on sale meat.  “If you are cooking hamburgers, I would not use expired ground beef,” Crabtree emphasizes.

Check the Ingredient List

When you’re buying ground beef, that’s all you’re buying. Beef. An ingredient label that contains unfamiliar additives, preservatives, or flavors is a red flag. “Look at the ingredient label and make sure the only ingredient listed is ground beef,” says Crabtree. 

Buy From a Trusted Source

Grocery stores can repackage and re-date meat without customers knowing, but when you know exactly where your beef comes from, there’s likely less sketchy behavior and more accountability. “My preference is to buy local meat from a farm in bulk,” says Crabtree. “When you buy from a local farm, you might have the opportunity to talk to the farmer and learn about [their] practices.”