It is OK to eat beef that smells a little as long as the smell is not a sour, rancid or putrid smell.
Fresh beef can have a slight metallic smell and be okay to eat.
However spoiled beef will have a sour, rancid or putrid odor and smell to it and should not be eaten even if it smells just a little bit.
If the smell of the beef is really noticeable or unpleasant then it should be thrown out to avoid any foodborne illnesses such as food poisoning.
Fresh beef does often have a distinct smell, that is often described as being a clean, slightly metallic or even sweet smell.
But as beef spoils and goes bad, the beef takes on a sour, rancid or putrid odor and can also become slimy as well and color will change.
The color changes of beef such as gray or green, slimy texture or even presence of mold are other signs of spoiled beef and it should be thrown out.
Never eat any spoiled beef or other meat as it can lead to food poisoning and in some cases be serious enough to cause death.
Eating spoiled beef that results in food poisoning will cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting and nausea.
If you're unsure that the beef is spoiled and it does smell then it's best to throw it out instead of risking getting sick.