{"id":10489,"date":"2023-01-24T13:54:05","date_gmt":"2023-01-24T13:54:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pitmastercentral.com\/?p=10489"},"modified":"2023-08-28T12:37:15","modified_gmt":"2023-08-28T12:37:15","slug":"pork-smells-like-sulfur","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pitmastercentral.com\/pork-smells-like-sulfur\/","title":{"rendered":"Pork Smells Like Sulfur: Is The Meat Bad?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If your pork has a sulfuric or rotten-egg smell, it\u2019s probably from the Cryovac packaging. Remove the pork<\/a> from the wrapping, rinse it off, and stick it in the fridge. Circle back in an hour or so, and the smell should be gone. If the pork still smells worse than a locker room, toss it out – that meat is bad. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Food safety was drilled into us at culinary school. No one wants to make people sick from bad food, so we covered all the signs of food spoilage. I\u2019ll go over them in this article. I\u2019ll help you figure out if your meat is unsafe to prepare for your friends and family!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ll also fill you in on why your pork smells like sulfur in greater detail. Then, I\u2019ll go over how to remove the bad smell from pork and explain how to prevent odor in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n

\"Pork<\/figure>\n\n\n

Why Pork Smells Like Eggs?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are three main reasons your pork smells like rotten eggs. The smell could be because of the packaging used, boar taint, or the meat could be bad. I\u2019ll cover each reason in-depth:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Vacuum Packaging<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Vacuum-packed (called Cryovac packaging) pork can off a sulfur-like smell. It\u2019s notorious in the BBQ community. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cryovac packaging is a common method for storing pork. The vacuum pack is totally emptied of oxygen<\/strong>. This vacuum seal makes the pork stays fresh longer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, this form of storage can lead to gas buildup, releasing a rotten egg odor when opened. Remember, the rotten egg smell from the pork doesn’t indicate that the meat is bad.<\/strong> If the pork is still within its sell-by date and isn\u2019t exhibiting any signs of spoilage, rinse it off and put it in the fridge. The smell should go away, and you can prepare the meat as planned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Boar Taint<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Boar taint (yes, that\u2019s really what it\u2019s called) can make pork smell and taste bad, like urine or sweat. Boar taint is rare, occurring in only 20% of adult male pigs. Most pigs are slaughtered before adulthood, further reducing the likelihood of boar taint. I\u2019ve never eaten pork that I suspected of being \u201ctainted.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This odor is due to androstenone<\/a>, a substance only present in male pigs. Pork that has boar taint is safe to eat, but it won\u2019t be a pleasant dining experience. No one wants to eat pork that smells and tastes like urine or sweat. If you\u2019ve got a slab of pork that you suspect has boar taint, pitch it.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

 3. The Meat is Spoiled<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If meat is not properly stored or it\u2019s past its sell-by date, it will likely smell bad. That meat is spoiled, and it\u2019s destined for your garbage can.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Store your meat in the refrigerator as soon as you return from the store or butcher. It\u2019ll last 3 to 5 days<\/a> if stored below 40\u00b0F. If you can\u2019t cook it by then, stick it in the freezer, where it will stay good forever, but is best within 3 months.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"pork<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

How to Get Rid of The Sulfur Smell?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Start by rinsing the pork and then refrigerating it. If the pork was stored in Cryo, this should remove the odor. If the pork still smells bad after the rinse and refrigeration, pitch it. No piece of meat is worth getting sick over. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pork that smells bad and wasn\u2019t packed in Cryovac should be thrown out.<\/strong> It\u2019s spoiled, and no amount of rinsing will save it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your pork has boar taint, there\u2019s no way to remove the odor. Toss it in the trashcan, and look for a new source of meat.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Prevent Pork from Smelling Like Sulfur?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Buy your pork fresh and cook it within 3 to 5 days to avoid the sulfuric odor. The less time your pork spends on a store shelf or refrigerator, the better it will taste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Identify Bad Pork?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are a few foolproof ways to tell if your pork is rotten. I\u2019ll highlight the four key indicators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Smell<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Boar taint can give off a smell like urine or sweat. If your pork smells like a locker room, it\u2019s got the taint. I\u2019d pitch it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spoiled pork has a stronger foul stench. The smell of rotten meat is overpowering and awful. If the smell is very bad, you should return it to the store (if it was stored properly and within the sell-by date) or throw it out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Texture<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You can also touch the pork to determine whether it is rotten. Pork should have a firm texture and bounce back when you press it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You should be suspicious of the meat if it is mushy<\/strong> to the touch. Sliminess is another texture to look for. If your meat is slimy or mushy<\/strong>, don\u2019t cook it and eat it. That meat has a date with the garbage can<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Color<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The color of your meat is another indicator of whether it is good or not. Fresh pork should be pinkish<\/strong> with some fatty white strands<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the meat has brown, gray, or green coloring, you should toss it. That pork is spoiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Presence of Mold<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Mold is bad news. The presence of mold is a surefire sign that you should throw the pork away.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should Raw Pork Smell?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Raw pork should smell slightly meaty. As discussed earlier, vacuum-packed meat may have a faint sulfur or egg scent. Try rinsing and refrigerating Cryovac-sealed pork, and see if the odor goes away. If so, cook as planned. If the smell is still there, pitch it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the smell is overpowering, that pork has taken a turn for the worse. Pitch it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Related Reading<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n