Chef's tricks, or how to remove the smell from stale chicken

The odor from chicken meat is usually neutral, but as a result of prolonged or improper storage it can become unpleasant.

If you are sure that the chicken is not spoiled, you can try to remove the repulsive odor and make the product suitable for use.

We will tell you in this article how to remove an unpleasant odor from chicken meat (for example, if it suffocated in a bag).

How long to cook fragrant chicken?

This time, the chicken should stay in the water for at least an hour, or even overnight, and it is advisable to put it in the refrigerator for this time, covering the pan with a lid. That's all you need to do to make your chicken taste great again. After this procedure, all the unpleasant “smell” will disappear.

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How to remove unpleasant aroma from meat?

An unpleasant odor can be the result of a number of factors:

• storing meat near strong-smelling foods;
• as a result of the chicken being in a warm place;
• other conditions unsuitable for storage.

As soon as a problem is discovered, meat processing and cooking must begin immediately. The main ways to eliminate unpleasant odors are pickling and soaking.

Soak

By soaking, putrefactive bacteria can be eliminated. There are several common recipes, which you can choose based on the available products. The prepared solution is poured over the chicken for an hour and a half.

Common soaking solution options include:

1. For 1 liter of water – 1 tbsp. l. vinegar.
2. Lemon juice.
3. Pomegranate juice.
4. White wine.
5. Red wine.

An alternative soaking method is to soak in a saline solution (1 tablespoon of salt per liter) for a couple of hours. Potassium permanganate can also be used to prepare a solution of low concentration. After such treatment, the chicken should be washed well under running water.

Pickling

In addition to soaking, pickling can be used to eliminate odor. One of the following methods can be used:

• rubbing the carcass with a mixture of sugar and salt;
• smearing in table mustard;
• rubbing meat with a mixture of spices (thyme, rosemary, cardamom, basil, etc.);
• rubbing with a mixture of herbs with the addition of chopped garlic and chopped onions;
• aging in soy sauce.

Marinating should be carried out for 1-2 hours. This allows you not only to remove the smell, but also to add aromatic notes, piquancy and softness to the meat.

Prevention of odor

1

Always check the expiration date of the product: pay attention to the unpleasant smell of chicken, the earthy color of the meat, and the integrity of the packaging.

3. If you don’t plan to cook the meat right now, cut the carcass into portions.

4. Store poultry in an airtight container or bag, vented, away from other food items.

5. Monitor the condition of the refrigerator. Remove puddles from “leaked” products in a timely manner.

Before you start eliminating the unpleasant odor of chicken meat, put on thin “chef” or surgical gloves; this will protect your hands from the characteristic odor and damage.

Meat fillet is a product that spoils quickly, and improper storage can lead to a repulsive stench.

A disgusting “smell” is a sign that the active formation of rot, provoked by microorganisms, has begun.

Before you start cooking, you should get rid of the unpleasant odor by resorting to folk methods and simple recipes, and in order to avoid possible food poisoning, determine the cause of the unwanted odor.

Summarize

Being able to tell when your chicken has gone bad can help protect you and your family from foodborne illnesses.

Fresh raw chicken is usually light pink in color with white bits of fat, has little to no odor, and is soft and moist. If your chicken is slimy, has a foul odor, or has changed color to yellow, green, or gray, these are signs that it has gone bad.

Throw away any chicken that is past its best before date, has been refrigerated for more than 2 days raw or 4 days cooked, or has been in a dangerous temperature zone for more than 2 hours.

While these signs are good to be aware of, a good saying goes: “When in doubt, throw it out.”

Why does meat have a “smell”?

The loss of the natural aroma of meat products occurs in several cases. “Smell” appears due to spoiled products lying next to the meat, as well as due to improper feeding and slaughter of the animal.

Storing in plastic bags leads to a lack of oxygen, causing the meat to “suffocate.”

Be sure to read:

How to get rid of dog smell in an apartment: effective ways to remove stains from furniture and carpets

Pieces of flesh from an uncastrated boar or ram initially have a distinctive odor, but this does not mean that they are unsuitable for consumption.

You just need to soak the product in a marinade or roll it in herbs.

If chicken has an unpleasant sour aroma, and mucus is noticed on its surface, it is necessary to cut off the skin emitting the smell with a knife. If the stench cannot be eliminated, then eating meat is strictly prohibited.

How to remove odor from chicken

You will need

• – mild detergent;
• – baking soda;
• - rag;
• - Activated carbon;
• – cotton pads;
• - vinegar;
• – ammonia;
• - coffee;
• - spices;
• – lemon

Instructions

Prepare a cleaning solution by adding a mild detergent to water. Remove all containers and shelves. Wash them thoroughly, as well as the inside of the refrigerator and freezer with the prepared solution.

A vinegar solution has a similar effect. Dilute vinegar with water in a 1:1 ratio. Wipe all interior surfaces thoroughly. Take cotton pads and soak them in vinegar. Place on plates and leave in the refrigerator for several hours.

You can also use a solution of ammonia made at the rate of 10 drops per 100 ml of water.

Wipe the internal surfaces of the unit dry with a soft cloth.

Freshly ground coffee and ordinary cat litter have a similar absorbent effect.

To destroy the smell of meat, you can also use some spices - cloves, cinnamon, thyme, turmeric, celery, tarragon and others.

note

How to get rid of smell in the refrigerator. The very first thought that came to mind on this topic was that to get rid of the smell in the refrigerator, it would be a good idea to wash it. We are not afraid. That’s true, but this is the most radical and global measure of all. First, look in the refrigerator for any leftover or spoiled food.

Helpful advice

How to get rid of smell in the refrigerator. After purchasing a refrigerator, you should immediately wash the inside of it with a low-concentration soda solution, or use another detergent. Odor absorbers are also very popular, they are cheap and can save you from the problem of unpleasant odor. Causes of odor in the refrigerator. The smell can appear for many reasons, for example, if food has spoiled and you did not remove it from the refrigerator in time.

• “Secrets of a good housewife. We clean, wash, cook, repair – with flying colors!”, team of authors, Content, 2009.
• How to get rid of smell in the refrigerator

Alternative methods

Universal methods help to revive any meat, but there are special recipes that apply only to specific products.

They include:

• heat treatment;
• pickling;
• soak.

Chicken

Stale chicken can be stuffed with garlic cloves, rubbed with salt and ground black pepper, and left in a cool place for 1-1.5 hours. If you don’t have time to wait that long, you can use another method:

1. 1. Mix flour and table salt in equal proportions.
2. 2. Thoroughly rub the carcass or fillet on all sides.
3. 3. Rinse under running water.

The flour will absorb the unpleasant aroma, and the salt will clean the surface.

Pork

Pork itself does not have a pronounced unpleasant odor. In this case we are talking about meat from an uncastrated boar. A distinctive feature of the product is a fetid amber, which can be felt even in the taste of the finished dish.

In this case, you need to put the pulp in the freezer overnight, or even better, for a day. The temperature should be -25 degrees or lower. If the smell remains, you should try soaking.

Method 1

You will have to soak the tenderloin at home for 10-12 hours in milk. First, remove the fatty layers from the meat and cut it into thin slices. The dairy product needs to be replaced with a new one every 2-3 hours.

You can simplify the task and pour milk over the meat by adding a head of garlic. In a day, the product will be ready for use.

Method 2

Another effective way to soak:

• boil 2 liters of water;
• add 4 tbsp. l. spoons of salt;
• cool the solution;
• add 5 tbsp. l. table white vinegar;
• soak the product in the solution for 6 hours;
• drain the solution and prepare a new one;
• Leave the meat to soak for another day.

Method 3

To prepare the marinade you will need juniper, cloves, allspice, marjoram, mint, and chopped onions. The recipe is quite simple:

1. 1. All ingredients must be placed in a saucepan, add 2 liters of water, and boil.
2. 2. Cook over low heat for 3-4 minutes, remove the container from the stove.
3. 3. Add a head of garlic and 1 tsp to the hot solution. citric acid.
4. 4. Immerse the meat in the cooled liquid and leave for a day in a cool, dark place.
5. 5. After processing, the pulp should be dried.

Rabbit

The specific smell of rabbit meat can be easily eliminated by soaking the carcass overnight in regular cold water. Before preparing a dish, it is recommended to marinate the meat for prevention: in this case, the smell will definitely not return during cooking, and the flesh will become softer and more tender.

Marinade recipes:

1. 1. Add parsley, rosemary and thyme to 200 ml of kefir, salt and pepper to taste, mix thoroughly, leave the meat to marinate for 1.5-2 hours.
2. 2. In 2 tbsp. l. sour cream, add 3-4 chopped cloves of garlic, pepper and rosemary. A young rabbit is marinated for 3 hours, an old one for 6-8 hours.
3. 3. Pour a glass of wine or lemon juice over the carcass, distribute the liquid evenly over the surface, and leave for 1-2 hours.

To avoid becoming a victim of unscrupulous sellers, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the basic rules for choosing meat when buying at the market or in a supermarket:

Features of cooking not quite fresh chicken that smells

Heat treatment of meat should be the final stage after soaking or marinating. Without pre-treatment, fragrant chicken can be cooked only if the unpleasant odor is not very pronounced and the recipe uses a large amount of spices.

Cooking slightly spoiled meat should take into account the following rules:

1. 
   You cannot reduce the cooking time for the selected recipe. If possible, it is recommended to increase it even a little.

2. The use of aromatic spices should be mandatory.
3. If possible, it is better to cook on the grill - in the open air.
4. It is advisable not to ignore marinating and soaking before cooking.

The best options for preparing slightly spoiled chicken are dishes from Vietnamese, Indian and other cuisines, which involve the use of a large amount of spices.

But if, despite all efforts, the meat continues to emit an unpleasant odor, it is advisable to throw it away, since the product may be more spoiled than it seemed at first glance.

Texture

Fresh raw chicken has a glossy, somewhat soft texture.

It should not be slimy or sticky. If there is a slimy residue on your hands after touching raw chicken, it is a sign that it has gone bad.

Cooked chicken is tougher and drier than raw chicken. If you notice any changes in texture, such as softness, sliminess, stickiness, or coating, it is likely no longer safe to eat.

Conclusion:

Raw chicken should not be slimy or sticky, but rather glossy and slightly soft. Cooked chicken that has gone bad is usually slimy, sticky and too soft.

Suffocated in a bag - what to do

For various reasons, the product may turn sour in cellophane. Not all meat can acquire flavor: fatty meat and chicken skin are most prone to acquiring “aroma.”

This may be due to faulty operation of the freezer or carelessness of the housewife. Is it possible to save spoiled meat?

Follow the meat washing methods described above. If you are not going to cook it right away, then cut it and put it in a clean container. If you decide to cook it right away, it is best to boil it, you need to do this with two onions: the meat broth will spoil, but the meat will be very tasty and sweetish from the onions. Pork lends itself especially well to this method.

What to do if the chicken smells

The specific smell of stale chicken is inherent even in fresh meat. To make the chicken smell, just leave the chilled carcass in a plastic bag for several hours. Also, the characteristic “amber” may be a consequence of the use of certain types of feed for poultry raised at home rather than in factory conditions.

Examination.

If you're concerned about how meat smells, check to see if it's spoiled. The color of fresh fillet is pinkish, while meat that is not suitable for food has a grayish tint.

The fat should be white, not yellow. The normal smell of chicken meat is without “sourness”. Feel the sirloin. If the meat is dense, it means it’s fresh; if it’s sticky or slimy, the carcass will have to be thrown away.

You cannot eat spoiled food!

Fresh fillets should have a pink tint

How to get rid of the unpleasant smell of chicken meat

1. Trim excess fat: sometimes it is the source of the unpleasant odor.

2. Wash the carcass well, soak for a couple of hours in cold water. For greater effect, add table salt (2-3 teaspoons per liter).

Soaking in salt water is the easiest method.

3. Soaking meat in a weak (light pink) solution of potassium permanganate helps a lot. Duration of soaking is 2-3 hours. After this, wash the bird thoroughly under running water.

4. Generously rub the carcass (fillet, wings, drumsticks) with finely ground table salt, rinse after two hours.

5. Flour has an absorbent effect (any flour will do, be it wheat or corn). Roll the fillet in it (you can add fine table salt, the ratio of products is 1:1), rinse after 30-40 minutes.

Eliminate odor during cooking

If after all the manipulations the meat is barely perceptible, but still smells, use proven culinary “tricks” that will help remove the smell of chicken directly during cooking.

1. Rub the meat with finely chopped onions or garlic passed through a press. The pungent aroma will “drown out” all foreign odors.

2. Marinate the chicken: store-bought marinades, lemon juice, mustard, soy or teriyaki sauce, and balsamic vinegar are suitable.

3. Use spices that have a pronounced aroma: tarragon (tarragon), basil, red pepper, rosemary, marjoram, oregano, curry, cardamom.

4. When cooking the broth, do not skimp on any seasonings, roots, or vegetables. Cook the onions and carrots whole in it, and then throw them away.

5. In “dacha-field conditions”, cook the meat on the grill or grill. The smoky flavor neutralizes unpleasant odors.

How to remove the smell of chicken in the refrigerator

1. Use special absorbers (can be found at any hardware store).

2. Place pieces of rye bread, activated carbon tablets on the shelves (charcoal in small briquettes is also suitable), place small containers with coffee grounds - natural absorbents will quickly absorb the “amber”.

3. Wash the inside of the refrigerator with a warm solution of baking soda, which perfectly cleans and disinfects any surfaces (2 tablespoons per 1 liter of water). The same method is suitable for washing the kitchen table or sink.

4. Clean the shelves with a clean damp cloth, and then rub with lemon peel.

To get rid of the smell of chicken in your bag, use laundry soap or dishwashing gel. If the bag cannot be washed, wipe the material with a soda solution (2 tablespoons per liter of water), and then dry thoroughly.

How to remove chicken smell from hands

The easiest way: wash your hands with laundry soap and lukewarm water. If you are not satisfied with the result, make a scrub using table salt and a small amount of warm water. After the procedure, be sure to lubricate your hands with nourishing cream.

The peel (juice) of lemon, lime or grapefruit and 9% table vinegar diluted with cool water in a 1:1 ratio also cope with the task. But these products cannot be used if there are wounds (cracks, scratches) on the hands, inflammation or hypersensitive skin.

Prevention of odor

1

Always check the expiration date of the product: pay attention to the unpleasant smell of chicken, the earthy color of the meat, and the integrity of the packaging.

2. Store chilled meat in the refrigerator for no more than 3-4 days, frozen meat - from a week to several months (depending on the power of the freezer).

3. If you don’t plan to cook the meat right now, cut the carcass into portions.

4. Store poultry in an airtight container or bag, vented, away from other food items.

Chicken meat should be stored in the freezer in a separate sealed bag.

5. Monitor the condition of the refrigerator. Remove puddles from “leaked” products in a timely manner.

More ways to eliminate bad odor.

The problem is storage in cellophane

Polyethylene bags contain recycled cellulose, which gives products a strong “chemical” smell.

It is not recommended to store lamb, beef and pork in cellophane because the product begins to become damp and moldy. Before you put the meat in a plastic bag, you need to wrap it in thin paper.

Beef in cellophane is saturated with the odors of other food products in the refrigerator.

To eliminate extraneous aromas, you should use these tips for soaking meat:

• Soak any meat in a mixture made from salt and birch charcoal for 3-4 hours. After this procedure, the unpleasant “smell” will disappear.
• Rub the beef with spicy spices (basil, oregano, cardamom) and leave for 60 minutes.
• Soak chicken in lemon juice or chamomile decoction (add 1 tbsp dried flowers to 1 liter of water).

Very unusual chicken fillet chops

Ingredients:

700 gr. chilled chicken breast;

Smoked trout - 300 gr.;

350 gr. spinach

Cooking method:

1. Rinse the spinach leaves thoroughly and leave in cold water for 20 minutes. Rinse again and place on a towel to dry.

2. Using the blade of a narrow, sharp knife, cut the prepared fillet along the fibers into 2-3 pieces. Salt the chicken pieces and season with freshly ground black pepper. Without beating, fry in boiling refined oil. Fry briefly, over high heat, until golden brown.

3. Cut the trout into thin slices and wrap pieces of fried meat in them.

4. Place some of the spinach on a square piece of foil. Place a piece of chicken wrapped in trout on it and secure the edges of the foil tightly. Prepare the remaining pieces of meat in the same way.

5. Transfer the pieces wrapped in foil onto a baking sheet and bake for a quarter of an hour at 220 degrees.

Options for removing odor from meat

Improper storage of the product leads to the fact that even freshly purchased meat begins to emit a repulsive stench. At the initial stage, it is still possible to eat such products, but only after the stench has been eliminated.

It is undesirable to store any meat for a very long time. Lying in a refrigeration unit for a long time leads to the appearance of a rotten smell. To eliminate it, use potassium permanganate, dried chamomile flowers, salt and wine.

You can eliminate unwanted aroma with basil, tarragon and red wine.

Potassium permangantsovka

With the help of manganese they fight any stench.

After soaking the meat pieces in wine, they are fried for piquancy and better taste.

Potassium permanganate is popular among unscrupulous traders who sell spoiled beef or pork. This product helps improve the appearance, aroma and color of the product.

To eliminate the unpleasant “smell” you need to do the following:

The unpleasant stench will disappear after this procedure. The product can be safely consumed.

Chamomile decoction

To get rid of meat odor using chamomile, you need to:

It is advisable to fry the pieces with the addition of herbs to enhance the taste and aroma.

Saline solution

The most effective remedy for eliminating stench is saline solution. Every housewife has salt on hand, so this method is also quite simple.

The most effective remedy for eliminating stench is saline solution.

To quickly add a pleasant aroma, as well as to immediately start cooking, the product must be grated with sugar and then sprinkled with salt. After 30 minutes, rinse everything off with water.

How to choose a quality product

You need to be able to choose meat so that it doesn’t go rotten immediately upon arrival home, not overpay for bones and get a good product. Here are some tips to help you.

There are times when chicken meat, after lying in the refrigerator for a long time, begins to emit an unpleasant, windy smell. If the product is still quite suitable for consumption, you just need to remove the “flavor” before serving it.

How to tell if chicken has gone bad

However, before you begin the appropriate actions, you should make sure that the chicken has not spoiled.

Look carefully at the color of the skin and meat of the poultry, analyze the smell and structure of the product:

• Benign has a pinkish tint, spoiled chicken looks gray, fatty patches on it acquire an unnatural yellow color;
• the smell of fresh chicken meat is neutral, spoiled poultry smells of something sour;
• expired poultry is sticky and slimy to the touch. This chicken should not be eaten as it can cause food poisoning.

How to remove bad chicken smell

1. If the chicken meat has not spoiled, but has simply become weathered from long-term storage, you can begin the cleaning procedure. Your main assistant in the fight against foreign odors is water, salted or with the addition of potassium permanganate or spices.

2. First, you need to trim off all the fat, since it is this part of the chicken carcass that becomes the most common source of unpleasant odor.

3. After this, you should soak the chicken in water. It must be filled with cold liquid and kept there for less than 2-3 hours. It is also recommended to pour coarse salt there (2 tablespoons for every liter).

You can soak the meat in a non-concentrated solution of potassium permanganate or in a cool decoction of medicinal chamomile. These liquids absorb odors well and at the same time disinfect the product.

Other ways to combat chicken smell

If there is not enough time for soaking, you can use a special express method. Mix 100 g of coarse salt and 100 g of bread flour. Thoroughly rub the chicken carcass with the mixture on the inside and outside. The flour will absorb the unpleasant odor, and the salt will clean the surface of the meat well. After this, carefully rinse the chicken under running water.

You can remove any remaining unpleasant odor using spices. Garlic and onion cover up any flavor well. Rub the outside of the chicken with garlic, then insert a few cloves inside the carcass and leave the meat to soak for 40 minutes on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator. You can also rub the bird with black and red pepper, basil, mustard, lemon juice, and ginger.

Pickling is also used for camouflage. Soak pieces of chicken meat in a solution of acetic acid or pour red wine over them for a couple of hours. The weathered smell of poultry can be eliminated with soy sauce. Mix 100 ml of sauce, juice of 1 lemon and a pinch of cinnamon. Place the chicken in the soy marinade for 2-3 hours.

Fresh meat does not always have a pleasant smell. Odor appears for a number of reasons: improper slaughter, storage, etc. How to get rid of the smell from meat? Firstly, a rotten product should be thrown away immediately if you don’t want to get poisoned. After the procedures we suggested, slightly spoiled fillets or ribs will turn out to be quite a flavorful dish. The article also contains tips on eliminating the specific smell of lamb, pork boar, and goat meat.

Recommendations

To get the best result in removing odor from chicken, it is recommended to take into account the following tips:

1. The chicken should only be washed in cold water.
2. Before cooking the chicken, all entrails are removed from the carcass.
3. Old fat is often the source of unpleasant odors. It should be cut off. It may be necessary to remove the skin from the carcass, which is often a source of unpleasant odor.
4. The easiest and cheapest way to remove odors from chicken is to soak it in salted water.
5. Cooking chicken on the grill eliminates unpleasant flavors due to the aroma of smoke.
6. If the chicken has become dry in the refrigerator, it should be washed. This will refresh its interior and prevent other products from absorbing the unpleasant aroma of spoiled meat. You can use a soda solution for this (2 tablespoons of powder per liter of water) or other means.
7. The cutting board on which the meat was processed must also be thoroughly washed. The easiest way is to use a soda solution.

The quality of the purchased product must be analyzed before purchase.

You will find a lot of useful and important information on how to remove smell from different types of meat and cook it correctly here.