Does Impossible Meat Go Bad?

Those who want the taste of real meat without eating real meat are increasingly turning to Impossible Meat. It looks and tastes just like meat, but is made from plants.

Many people are under the impression that it does not go bad like real meat, but is that true?

It is possible for Impossible Meat to go bad, and it has a short shelf life like fresh food. Unopened, it can be stored in the fridge for up to 10 days, but after that, it may spoil and be unsafe to consume.

You can read on to learn how to know when Impossible Meat has gone bad, so you know how to keep it at its best!

What Is Impossible Meat?

There is a brand called Impossible Foods that produces plant-based meat substitutes.

You can find beef, chicken, sausage, and other meat substitutes (all of which look and taste like meat), as well as ready-made meals containing them.

As a vegetarian option, many restaurants offer these plant-based alternatives to meat in their menus.

The taste, texture, and flavor of meat and chicken are as close as possible without consuming any animal products for many people.

Can Impossible Meat Go Bad?

In spite of Impossible Meat not being made from meat, it has a shelf life, so if left for too long, it will spoil. The products are made from plant-based ingredients, which do have a shelf life.

Impossible Meat is composed primarily of soy protein concentrate, sunflower and coconut oils, and water.

As soy protein and oil stand alone, they have quite a long shelf life, but when combined with water, the shelf life of these proteins and oils is drastically reduced.

Adding water to Impossible Meat turns it into a moist environment where bacteria can thrive – if left for long enough, this can lead to the product rotting.

Despite Impossible Meat having a slightly longer shelf-life than actual meat, it cannot be kept forever, and it will go bad if left unattended for long periods of time.

How Long Does Impossible Meat Last?

Even though Impossible Meat has a longer shelf life than normal meat, you still need to keep an eye on the product when left in the fridge to make sure it is not left too long.

It is recommended to keep Impossible Meat in its unopened packaging in the refrigerator for up to ten days, and to cook and consume it within three days after it has been opened.

It’s generally wise to check the expiry or best-by date when determining how long Impossible Meat lasts, but there are other factors to consider.

The expiration date indicates when the product should be consumed, and after that date, it may spoil.

There is a best-by date on Impossible Meat that indicates the best quality it will have until the end of the best-by date. After that date, it may still be fine to eat, but the quality will start to deteriorate.

It is important to keep Impossible Meat in the fridge for only 10 days, as well as keeping an eye on the expiration date.

How Long Does Impossible Meat Last In the Freezer?

It is possible to freeze Impossible Meat if you have purchased it in bulk, or if you do not think you can use it within 10 days or before its expiration date.

It is recommended not to freeze Impossible Meat for longer than six months because freezing extends its shelf-life drastically.

Despite the fact that it will still be fine to eat after 6 months, it could begin to develop freezer burn, which may result in a loss of quality and taste.

Package the Impossible Meat in a freezer-safe sealable bag, even if it is still in its original packaging, and label it with the date when it was frozen to keep track of when to eat it.

By adding an extra layer of protection, you are able to keep the freezer burn away for a longer period of time.

How To Tell If Impossible Meat Has Gone Bad

In case Impossible Meat has been sitting in your fridge for a few days and you are unsure if it is safe to consume, you should know how to tell the difference.

The following are some signs that the product has gone bad.

Bad Odor

The first sign that Impossible Meat is bad is if it has a bad odor. Since Impossible Meat is a plant-based product, it will smell differently than normal meat.

The plant-based meat may have gone bad if you notice a foul, sour odor after opening the package of Impossible Meat. It is best to discard the package.

Discoloration

If left for very long periods, the pinkish-red meat may turn a dull gray color and even start to grow white or green spots of mold.

There is a good chance that the entire product has spoiled if you just cut away the discolored area.

Change Of Texture

As Impossible Meat products spoil, the texture might change, such as the beef becoming slimy or the nuggets becoming soggy.

Impossible Meat products may exhibit other signs of spoilage if their texture changes.

What Is The Best Way To Store Impossible Meat?

When Impossible Meat is stored properly, it will retain its best quality for a longer period of time, and it might even extend its freshness.

Ultimately, the best way to store Impossible Meat is to keep it in its original packaging, unopened. This should be kept in the refrigerator and used within 10 days of opening.

It is best to store the package once it has been opened in a sealable freezer bag (removing as much air as possible before sealing) or in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge.

You should freeze Impossible Meat if you plan to keep it for a longer period of time.

Can You Eat Impossible Meat After The Expiry Date?

The best course of action is to avoid testing expired food, since food-borne illnesses are serious.

Nevertheless, if you do not want to waste food, you can try to look for signs that the Impossible Meat is still safe to consume after its expiration date.

Even though Impossible Meat has passed its expiration or best-by date, it shouldn’t have a foul odor, discoloration, or a change in texture.

Be sure to cook it at a high temperature to kill bacteria, and make sure it is piping hot throughout. Consume what you have cooked and discard any leftovers.

Final Thoughts

In the refrigerator, impossible meat can go bad if it sits for too long, and like meat products, it can make you sick if you eat it once it has spoiled.

If you have not opened your Impossible Meat package, you can keep it in the fridge for up to 10 days, and once you have opened it, you can keep it for up to 3 days.

Impossible Meat can be frozen up to 6 months to extend its shelf life.

Make sure you know the signs of spoiled Impossible meat in order to avoid any food-borne illnesses.