How long does pork belly last in the fridge? (+3 Ways to tell)
In this article, we will answer the question “How long does pork belly last in the fridge?”, and how to tell If the pork is bad?
How long does pork belly last in the fridge?
Pork belly will last 1-2 days in the fridge. To extend its shelf-life for up to months, freezing is the way to go. The following table shows the shelf life of different pork products.
| Uncooked | Refrigerator | Freezer |
| Past printed date | Past printed date | |
| Fresh pork chops | 1-2 days | 6-8 months |
| Fresh ground pork | 1-2 days | 6-8 months |
| Fresh pork shoulder | 1-2 days | 6-8 months |
| Fresh pork loin | 1-2 days | 6-8 months |
| Pork sausage | 3-4 days | 6-8 months |
| Cooked | Refrigerator | Freezer |
| Cooked Pork Shoulder/Loin/Chops/Sausage | 7 days | 6-8 months |
How to tell If pork is bad?
- An altered color is an obvious sign of spoilage. Ba pork will turn brown or grey from its usual pink color.
- If you see multiple freezer burn patches in the form of dull white areas, discard the pork. This happens due to improper sealing of the pork.
- Keep track of the ‘use by’ or ‘best by date printed on the package. If the pork gives off a meaty mell instead of a fresh pork smell, It has started to rot.
How to store pork to extend its shelf life?
Pork should always be stored in the fridge. After preparing, transfer the pork to an air-tight container and keep it away from moisture at all times.
Store it in the freezer using a freezer bag for extending its shelf-life. Place a plastic wrap between steaks, chops, or other large cuts of pork so that they can be defrosted easily.
When it comes to thawing pork, keep it in the fridge overnight or until completely defrosted.
Recommended storage temperature and shelf-life
| Cut | Temperature (℃) | Shelf life at home |
| Small cut e.g loin steak | 0-3 | 3 days |
| Large cut e.g pork leg | 0-3 | 3-5 days |
| Cured meats | 0-3 | 2-3 weeks |
How long is pulled pork good in the fridge?
Pulled pork will be good for about 3-4 days in the fridge if stored correctly. Moreover, the refrigeration temperature should be steady. Exposing the meat to temperature fluctuation will increase the risk of spoilage. After 3-4 days, there are high risks of spoilage in the pulled pork.
Other FAQs about Pork which you may be interested in.
How long can I keep cooked pork in the fridge?
How long can marinated pork stay in the fridge?
How to store pulled pork safely?
You must be considering storing your pulled pork because only a single cut gives you a lot of meat and you definitely want to keep it for later.
They say pulled pork tastes better as it ages. This is because the seasonings and sauce penetrate into the meat making it tender, juicy, and full of flavor.
In the fridge
Pulled pork whether it is drenched in BBQ sauce, rolled in a tortilla, or combined with salsa, can be stored in the fridge for later use. Use plastic bags or air-tight containers for storage.
Squeeze out all the air if you are using plastic bags. Prefer using vacuum seal bags.
Use good quality thick plastic bags. If you do not have these, wrap the regular plastic bags with aluminum foil or freezer paper.
In the freezer
Pork shoulder, pork loin, and ground pork will keep fresh for about 6-8 months in the freezer if stored correctly. Use freezer bags or air-tight containers for storage. Remove the air from the freezer bag before storage and do not forget to label.
Before freezing, spread the pulled pork evenly in the bag so that it forms a flat meat layer once it’s frozen which is easy to handle as compared to a ball of frozen meat.
Pork safety
Ground or minced pork is used to make pork rolls, therefore, the rolls should reach a minimum safe temperature of 160℉, according to the USDA.
When making sandwich-style pork rolls, the safe internal temperature should be at least 145℉. These parameters are set to ensure the safety of the food which is crucial for the health of the consumer.
How to Reheat pulled pork in boiling water?
This method is quick and ensures that the moisture is locked inside the meat and the pulled pork is as fresh as it came from the kitchen.
- Thaw the pulled pork in the refrigerator overnight. Keep it in cold water for faster defrosting and to fully thaw it before reheating.
- In a pot, add enough water that can submerge the storage vacuum-sealed bag of pulled pork. Bring it to a rolling boil.
- Keep the vacuum-sealed pulled pork in the boiling water for about 5 minutes and you are done.
Conclusion
In this article, we answered the question “How long does pork belly last in the fridge?”, and how to tell If the pork is bad?
