Tips

Should You Wash Meat Before Cooking? You’ve Been Doing It Wrong Without Knowing

Washing meat may seem like a simple task, but in reality, many people make mistakes when doing so.

3 May, 2024

Meat Washing: Is It Necessary Before Cooking?

In the daily meals of families, meat is considered an indispensable ingredient, as it provides a variety of dishes and essential nutrients. Typically, before cooking, most consumers preprocess meat by rinsing it under running tap water, or even with salt water. However, some do not engage in this step of preprocessing. So, what is the correct approach? Should meat be washed before cooking or not? Here’s expert advice.

Illustrative photo

Is it really necessary to wash meat before cooking?

As surprising as it may sound, according to a study by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), for meats such as beef, pork, or poultry, rinsing or washing before cooking is not particularly necessary. Explaining this perspective, experts argue that washing can spread bacteria from the surface of the meat to other areas or appliances in the kitchen, such as the sink, kitchen counter surfaces, bowls, plates, pots, and pans. This is known as cross-contamination.

The USDA even conducted a study and found that at least 26% of individuals who washed meat before cooking spread bacteria to other ingredients in the kitchen, such as vegetables and fruits.

The American website Food Docs also published an article claiming that food safety agencies discourage consumers from washing any kind of meat before cooking. Naturally, this applies to meats provided by food companies and businesses, which are carefully packaged and sold in supermarkets or stores.

Washing meat before cooking, particularly prepackaged meats, is virtually unnecessary (Illustrative photo)

In Vietnam, in addition to supermarkets and butcher shops, people often purchase meat from vendors in traditional markets. These are often not packaged or refrigerated, exposing them to dust and insects throughout the display period.

For these types of meat, when cooked at high temperatures, the bacteria within the meat will be eliminated. However, to be on the safe side, consumers can rinse it before cooking or freezing.

When washing meat, experts advise adhering to certain guidelines to minimize cross-contamination, impacting other foods and the overall hygiene of the kitchen. First, ensure you have a separate sink or washing area specifically for raw meat, keeping clean kitchenware and other food items, like vegetables and fruits, away from it.

Secondly, only wash raw meat with clean water or a small amount of salt or a diluted salt water solution. Consumers can gently rinse or soak the meat in this solution. When removing it, use paper towels or a clean cloth to thoroughly pat the meat dry.

You can also lightly rinse or soak the meat in clean water or a diluted salt water solution, particularly for meat sold in markets (Illustrative photo)

Never use soap or disinfectants, such as liquid chlorine bleach, to wash meat, regardless of the type. Washing meat with soap or detergents is not more effective and can contaminate the food with chemicals.

Finally, after washing the meat, thoroughly clean the sink area and surrounding surfaces to ensure no lingering bacteria that could spread.

Some foods that should not or should be minimally washed before cooking

Besides meat, experts also mention a few other items not recommended to be washed before cooking, as it can lead to bacterial contamination or affect the quality of the dish.

1. Eggs

Eggs are among the foods that should not be washed before cooking. Experts state that the egg’s surface has a natural protective coating that prevents harmful bacteria from entering the egg through tiny pores in the shell. Washing eggs can inadvertently compromise or remove this protective layer, increasing the risk of contamination.

Additionally, eggshells are typically discarded, making washing them largely unnecessary. If you intend to boil eggs with visible dirt on the shells, you can clean them but cook them immediately, as storing them could increase the chances of spoilage.

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2. Pasta

If you habitually wash pasta before cooking, you may want to reconsider. Pasta undergoes multiple, stringent cleaning processes before being packaged.

Washing not only wastes time and effort but also removes the surface starch from the pasta strands. This can hinder the pasta’s ability to absorb flavors, diminishing the overall quality of your dish.

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3. Mushrooms

Oddly enough, mushrooms are also on the list of foods to minimally wash or avoid washing before cooking. If cleaning is necessary, consumers should only rinse the mushrooms once with water.

Mushrooms can become mushy and unappetizing if exposed to excessive or forceful water. For mushrooms grown in controlled, clean environments and irrigated with clean water, washing is considered unnecessary.

According to Doi Song Phap Luat

Frequently asked questions

If you choose to wash meat, follow these guidelines: Use a separate sink or washing area for raw meat, away from other kitchenware and food items. Only use clean water, salt, or a diluted salt water solution to rinse or soak the meat gently. Pat the meat dry with paper towels or a clean cloth afterward. Never use soap or disinfectants as they can contaminate the meat with chemicals. Finally, thoroughly clean the sink and surrounding areas to prevent the spread of bacteria.

Yes, there are a few: Eggs have a natural protective coating that prevents bacteria from entering through the shell’s pores. Washing eggs can remove this layer and increase the risk of contamination. Pasta is already cleaned during processing, and washing it removes surface starch, impacting its ability to absorb flavors. Mushrooms should be rinsed once with water at most, as excessive washing can make them mushy.