It's a race against the clock once you've pulled that pack of pork chops off the grocery store shelf. Even when you get them out of the car and into your fridge, it's hard to say exactly how long you have before they spoil. You're not alone if you're wondering exactly how long pork chops can stay in the fridge.
The short answer is that they are safe to eat for up to five days. However, it's always important to take extra care when cooking and serving pork. If you're not sure whether yours has spoiled, learn more about storing pork below.
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Storing Your Pork Chops in the Fridge
The fridge is a good option if you plan on cooking your pork chops within five days. This assumes the pork was fresh when you bought it and is still wrapped in its original packaging. If the pork has already been taken out, put it back in the package right away and cook it within the next day or two.
After your pork chops are cooked, you can expect them to last another three to four days. For that reason, it can be a good idea to cook pork if you think it's about to go bad, even if you can't eat it right away.
Freezing Pork Chops
If you don't think you're going to have a chance to eat your pork in the next five days, then freezing it is your best option. When properly packaged, you can expect your pork to last a whopping four to six months in the freezer. Make sure to follow all of these tips to maximize its shelf life.
- Wrap meat in an airtight container, preferably a resealable plastic bag. Make sure all the air has been squeezed out to prevent freezer burn.
- Label the bag with its contents and the date. That way, you can ensure you don't eat it after its six months are up.
- Keep in mind that the longer you freeze your chops, the drier they will be when you finally do cook them.
- You can thaw your pork by putting it in the fridge for 24 hours, or place it in a bowl of cool water for 6 to 12 hours.
- If you're pressed for time, you can also cook your pork without fully thawing it. However, it may affect the texture slightly.
Have Your Pork Chops Gone Bad?
No matter how you store them, pork chops will eventually go bad. That's why it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with a few signs of spoilage. Make sure not to miss any of the following clues:
A Dull Gray Color
Fresh pork should have a light pink to darker purple color, somewhere between the color of chicken and beef. It should have a relatively even color throughout, without any spots or streaks. If you see spots or a gray color across the meat, then your pork has probably gone bad.
A Sour Smell
Sometimes, spoiled pork can look normal on the outside but still make you sick if you eat it. That's why it's best to smell the meat before cooking it. If it's fresh, it should have a clean, subtle smell. If it has gone bad, it will have an unpleasant, sour smell.
This is a good way to judge the freshness of other meats and meat products too, including chicken salad and sausage.
Wet, but Not Slimy
Raw pork should be moist to the touch, though it should never be slimy. If yours is, don't make the mistake of thinking you can wash the texture off, as the bacteria have already penetrated beneath the surface of the meat.
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