Is It Safe to Eat Beef Left Out Overnight?
Leaving beef out on the counter or table overnight is an easy mistake to make after a hectic day or late dinner But is it actually safe to still eat beef that’s been left out unrefrigerated? I did some research to find out
The Short Answer
No, it is generally unsafe to eat beef that’s been left out of the fridge overnight. Bacteria grows rapidly on meat between 40°F and 140°F. Leaving beef out for more than 2 hours falls in the “danger zone”, allowing bacteria to multiply to unsafe levels.
While the beef may look and smell fine, harmful bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella may be present. Consuming beef left out overnight significantly raises your risk of food poisoning. It’s better to be safe than sorry and throw the beef away.
Why Beef Left Out Overnight Can Be Unsafe
Here’s a more in-depth look at why you should avoid food that’s sat unrefrigerated overnight:
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Bacteria grows rapidly at room temp – Between 40°F and 140°F, bacteria doubles every 20 minutes. Leaving beef out overnight allows it to remain in this temperature danger zone.
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Risk of foodborne illness – E. coli, Salmonella and other bacteria may be present on raw beef. When left overnight, these can multiply to unsafe levels capable of causing vomiting, diarrhea and other symptoms.
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Toxins remain after cooking – Even if you cook beef left out, toxins from bacteria may remain and still cause food poisoning. Microwaving does not kill all toxins.
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Looks can be deceiving – Meat may look, smell and even taste normal despite harboring dangerous bacteria. Always rely on food safety guidelines, not just sight and smell.
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Increased risk over time – The longer beef sits out unrefrigerated, the more bacteria multiplies. Beef left out all night poses a much higher risk than beef left out for just 2 hours.
Proper Handling for Beef
To keep beef safe, it’s important to follow good food safety practices:
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Refrigerate within 2 hours – Beef should be refrigerated within 2 hours of purchasing or preparing. If room temp is above 90°F, refrigerate within 1 hour.
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Store in fridge at 40°F or below – Your refrigerator should maintain a temperature of 40°F or lower to prevent bacterial growth.
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Cook to safe internal temp – Use a food thermometer to cook beef to at least 145°F, allowing resting time, to kill harmful bacteria.
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Freeze for longer storage – Beef can be frozen at 0°F for 4-12 months for longer storage. Thaw in the fridge, not out on the counter.
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Prevent cross-contamination – Use separate cutting boards and utensils for raw beef to avoid spreading bacteria. Wash hands before and after handling.
The Takeaway
Consuming beef that’s been left out on the counter overnight can significantly increase your risk of food poisoning. Bacteria grows exponentially between 40°F and 140°F, which sitting out overnight allows. For optimal safety and quality, refrigerate or freeze beef within 2 hours of purchasing or preparing. Don’t risk getting sick – when in doubt, throw it out. Follow USDA guidelines and refrigerate meats promptly.
Even so, it’s DANGEROUS.
I only left the food out for a few hours so it’s not a big deal.
Food Left Out Overnight
Ah … the joys of summer!
When the nice, warm weather we’ve all been waiting for comes, many people do something that is very bad for food safety: they eat food that has been out overnight. This bad habit is bad for your health, and we at Stop Foodborne Illness want to help you stay away from it for good.
Here’s a typical scenario you’ve probably been in yourself a time or two:
You’re having a little get together at your place one evening and, after spending the day outside in the hot summer sun, the heat has got you beat—you’re definitely not cooking tonight. So, you order some pizza for all the guests. After everyone leaves, you’re so tired you forget all about the leftover pizza sitting on the kitchen counter. You head straight for bed. When you get up the next morning, you’re starving. And nothing sounds better than that pizza!
That pizza that has been sitting out for hours has had a lot of time for bacteria that could be harmful to grow. Bacteria that could make you very sick with diarrhea and vomiting, or even worse—it could send you to the hospital with a full-blown foodborne illness that shuts down your organs and has bad long-term effects on your health or even kill you.
Now, you may be thinking:
My mom always left food out overnight, and I never got sick.
How Long Can Meat Sit Out? Cured, Raw, Frozen, Cooked & More
FAQ
Is it safe to eat cooked beef left out overnight?
Can beef sit out for 12 hours?
How long does it take for unrefrigerated beef to go bad?
What meat can be left unrefrigerated?
Can cooked ground beef be left out overnight?
Can cooked ground beef be left out overnight? The importance of food safety cannot be stressed enough, so it is essential to understand the potential risks associated with leaving cooked ground beef out overnight.
Which meats should one avoid?
You should limit or avoid processed meat products such as sausages, salami, pate and beefburgers, because these are generally high in fat and salt. Also limit meat products in pastry, such as pies and sausage rolls. Choose lean cuts, if you are buying pre-packed meat, check the nutrition label to see how much fat it contains and compare products. Prepare turkey and chicken without the skin, as these are lower in fat (or remove the skin before cooking).
Can you eat cooked meat left out overnight?
When it comes to consuming cooked meat that has been left out overnight, there are some essential guidelines to ensure safety. Firstly, always use sight and smell to assess the meat’s condition. If it appears off or has a foul odor, it’s best to discard it to prevent the risk of foodborne illness.
Is it safe to eat leftover meat after cooking?
Cooking meat to the recommended internal temperature is also vital for killing harmful microorganisms. Using a food thermometer to check the doneness of the meat is an effective way to ensure it is safe to eat. Furthermore, leftovers should be refrigerated within two hours of cooking to prevent bacterial growth.