The Red Liquid Leaking From Your Steak Is Not Blood. Here's What It Actually Is!

Raw red meat usually has a natural, blood-like liquid in its packaging. Even though its red coloring looks similar to blood, that liquid isn't what it seems.

So what's that red juice which leaks from raw steak? It is a solution called "weep" or "purge." It is often mistaken for blood. However, if that were true, white meat would leak red as well. It's, in fact, a result of freezing the meat during its transport. The juice is actually a mix of water and myoglobin - a protein within the muscle.

Most meat is made of 5 percent fat/carbs/minerals, 20 percent protein, and 75 percent water. When you freeze the meat, the water expands and turns into ice crystals. These crystals' sharp edges rupture muscle cells. Once the ice thaws, it then carries some myoglobin with it. Myoglobin contains iron, which gives meat its red color. That's also what turns the water a "bloody" red.

Whatever it is, that red color doesn't stop from eating meat. Americans are estimated to eat 100+ pounds of beef and pork per year on average.

Reference: Business Insider