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It would help if you carefully choose your food to ensure a healthy diet. Many assume that eating red meat is somewhat unhealthy; instead, chicken is a healthy option. However, this assumption is misleading. Red meat has numerous benefits and is an excellent protein source, especially for health-conscious people.

Therefore,  choosing premium quality meat to cook at home is crucial.  

So, how will you know that the meat you are about to purchase is of good quality? Here are five essential tips you need to keep in mind when purchasing red meat for cooking from an online or a physical store.  

Things to Consider When Buying Meat Online 

Since there is a significant increase in the retail e-commerce business, many vendors are selling fresh meats online. Though most of the conventional practices to check the quality of meat do not apply, you can still check a few things before placing an order online.

First, check customer reviews of the vendor or meat seller online via social media platforms. You will get an idea of the meat quality they are delivering. Moreover, ask your friends and family members, check the vendor/seller's sources, herd management practices, shipping practices, quality, price, and value. Also, make sure the meat seller/vendor offers after-sales service.

Once satisfied, you can order individual cuts and whole pieces in bulk. Given your choice of meat, you can easily order wagyu online, beef with or without bone, or any steak cut. 

Things to Consider When Buying Meat from a Store 

1. Always Check the Best- Before Date 

When at a store, check the meat's use-by or best-before date. If the date is close and you don't plan to cook anytime soon, it's better to buy meet with the latest sell-by or best-before date. You can then store meat in your fridge for a few days and cook it whenever possible. Moreover, remember to check the best-before date if you buy meat at a discounted rate. 

2. Check the Smell 

Even the smell of the meat will significantly help in understanding if it’s fresh. When the meat has a weird or pungent odor, it's rotten. Sometimes, the meat starts to go bad even before the best-before date. Therefore, only buy meat that does not have a foul smell. However, remember that raw meat also has a slight odor. If you are unsure of the smell, ask someone in the store to check for you. 

3. Check the Texture of The Meat

The texture of the meat can also tell if the meat is fresh or not. The first thing you can do is press the meat to see how soft or rough it is. When you press on a good piece of meat, it should return to its original shape. If it does not go back to its original form, it means that it was stocked a long time ago. A high-quality cut must be tight, firm, and dry. The meat is fresh if the muscle fibers are close together and look the same. Besides, the meat might fall apart due to poor handling or poor quality. It's better not to buy them. 

Another thing to know is that quality meat does not turn transparent when sliced. Also, it does not feel sticky or slimy upon contact.  The texture and firmness of the meat can tell you a lot about its condition. Keep all these points in mind when you shop for meat from a store. 

4. Check the Meat Fat Color 

The fats on fresh red meat are always white and indicate that the meat will be tender and juicy. However, If the fats have turned yellow, it's a sign that the meat is stale. 

5. Check the Overall Meat Color 

The color of the meat depends on the type of meat. For instance, if you buy red meat, its color should be bright red or brown and light purple. 

Red meat should be dark and can vary between red and brown. The color may turn brown when the meat is exposed to air/oxygen. But it's consumable.

Before buying the meat, please take a good look at its color. If the meat you buy has discoloration all over it, avoid it. Meat from a fresh chicken should be white and light pink. If the meat is from an old animal or the expiry date is near, the meat color turns dark brown and is not consumable.

Make sure there isn’t any green flesh lurking behind the wings. Also, if there are green tints on the joints of any meat, don't purchase them.  Moreover, there shouldn't be any bumps or discoloration on the skin; even check that the surface has no bruises or clots.  

Avoid meat that has dark brown or purple colors because these are signs that the meat came from an old animal or it is almost about to expire.

Be it red or white meat, know that the bright color indicates freshness. If the meat is turning pale, think twice before buying it. 

6. Ask the Butcher

When visiting the meat shop or meat section in a store, it is best to seek professional help. Please feel free to ask the butcher in the store about the meat. 

Butchers deal with cutting and packing different types of meat all day. You can always ask the butcher about anything related to meat. If you are still deciding which cut you should buy for a specific dish, ask the butcher for advice. They can even guide you on checking fresh meat and tell you which ones in the store are the freshest. 

Conclusion:

With the help of the tips mentioned above, you can easily find the best quality meat. Keep in mind that even after purchasing, you must immediately refrigerate it. Storing your meat in the freezer will help it last longer. 

Lastly, all the pointers apply to all types of meat you purchase. Don't buy sticky or pale meat or a cut with discolored skin, a pungent smell, and near-expiry.