Why you should not wash meat before cooking: expert names three valid reasons

Many housewives believe that meat must be washed before cooking. At the same time, others say it is not worth to do so as the product will be subjected to heat treatment anyway.

In fact, you really shouldn't wash meat before cooking. There are good reasons for this, which famous Ukrainian chef Oleksandr shared on Instagram.

Why you shouldn't wash meat?

1. Increased risk of bacterial growth

It is commonly believed that meat should be washed before cooking to get rid of bacteria. But this is not true at all. All bacteria are destroyed by heat treatment.

That's why it's important to follow the correct temperature regime for cooking meat. For example, the optimal temperature for chicken is 75 degrees. But it can also be removed from the heat at 72 degrees, then the temperature will keep up.

2. Loss of flavor

Meat has a complex structure and a unique flavor that cannot be compared to anything else. By rinsing it under water before cooking, you deprive the product of the lion's share of flavor due to the loss of leached juices.

3. Complication of the frying process due to excess moisture

When frying, the meat will not get the desired crispiness because the moisture that has been absorbed from the rinsing process will evaporate. This process will make the meat more boiled than fried.