A bit of odor ok on a pork butt?


 
Erik Tracy

Erik Tracy

TVWBB Pro
Just got back from Stater Brothers with a pork butt. The use by date is Aug 11, but there is a very slight odor to the cut.

Ok to cook, or should I take it back?
 
What kind of odor? If you are worried, I would take it back and talk to the butcher. I am assuming they have butchers on site. I know my Albertsons does.
 
Bob Ivey said:
What kind of odor? If you are worried, I would take it back and talk to the butcher. I am assuming they have butchers on site. I know my Albertsons does.
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Its a slight sour odor. Yes - they have a butcher counter - even had the butcher cut down the butt from a monster 9 lb to 6lb.
 
I've noticed a faint odor after opening up a cryovac twin pack, but that dissipates quickly. Obviously, if you cook it for hours above 145 internal (safe temp for pork), it'll be safe to eat. Tastewise, I'm not sure. It would suck to put that much work into a rotten tasting piece of meat. Plus, it'll always be in the back of your head when you're eating it which might influence your taste buds. I'd bring it back.
 
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Erik, play is safe and go ask the butcher. Not an expert but you don't want anyone getting sick from your food. Keep us posted about what he says.
 
Bob Ivey said:
Erik, play is safe and go ask the butcher. Not an expert but you don't want anyone getting sick from your food. Keep us posted about what he says.
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I talked with a friend of mine who use to be a butcher at Whole Foods - a slight sour odor is ok for pork. He said I'd be ok for a cook tomorrow.

I'm waffling though on taking the cut back, then being told by the butcher at Stater Brothers the same thing my friend said and then hauling the cut back again for the car ride home. That would be about 15 minutes each way or 30 minutes out of the fridge.

I'll try to call the butcher.
 
I called and the head butcher said to bring it back.

Just got back for an exchange. The butcher manager got a fresh sealed butt that was 1/2 lb more but no charge.

Rubbing it down now for tomorrow - no smell at all.
 
Rinse the butt off and let it rest for about 10 mins. If it has pronounced odor after that, take it back.
 
It happens, I picked up a 3 pack of baby backs from costco 2 months ago, immediately put them in the freezer, and when I was ready for them, thawed in the refrigerator for 2 1/2 days.
When I opened the cryovac, the smell was very strong, even after rinsing and airing out. They were bad from the get go, but in the cryovac you can't tell.
a light sour smell that dissipates after rinsing is ok.
I once picked up a box of pork butts from a provisions guy that were bad, his guys tried to tell me it was my fault, until I stuck them with the thermometer. Still cold, just bad.
I will say, been around food purveyors for a long time, they hate to throw anything away, till it crawls off by itself, :D
Most of the time it's good enough, but it pays to be vigilant.
 
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