How long can you leave meat out and still eat it?

Question

I bought some lamb chops last night and accidentally left them out at room temperature before I realized and put them in the fridge. They were out for 3 hours before I remembered. They weren't frozen to begin with, but they weren't really WARM by the time I put them in the fridge either. Should they still be safe to use?

Answer 1

3 hours at room temp is fine

as long as they werent in high heat area they will be good to eat

Answer 2

Looking on a food prep website, it states:

"NEVER leave meat in a hot car or sitting out at room temperature. Refrigerate or freeze fresh lamb IMMEDIATELY after bringing it home.

Bacteria forms on food within an hour of being left at room temperature."

That said, I would still eat it.  As long as it wasn't sitting in a hot area (in direct sun, etc).

Answer 3

They will be fine to eat.

Answer 4

their fine assuming they were fresh from wherever you got them and not chemically sprayed to make them look fresh. Just make sure you cook them properly to kill the bugs. May I suggest marinating them in olive oil, tablespoon of tumeric, fresh mint chopped, sliced green chilli and juice of 2 lemons.... leave it in that for an hour or so then cook it.

Dont get this mix on your clothes or you'll never get it out..hahaha

Answer 5

Refrigerate or freeze perishables, produce, prepared food, and leftovers within 2 hours.

The above is from the National Institute of Health website.