How Long Does Pork Last?

How long does pork last? Pork lasts 1-2 days beyond a "sell by" date, but can be frozen to last longer according to the table and explanations below. The shelf life of pork depends on a variety of factors, such as the sell by date, the preparation method and how the pork was stored.

Pork is often considered the "other white meat", but it is really a pinkish color after being cut from the pig and packaged. There are several things to beware of when considering the shelf life of your product.

So, how long does pork last? When properly stored, the shelf life of fresh pork past its sell by date is approximately ...

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Pork Expiration Date

(Uncooked) Refrigerator Freezer
Past Printed Date Past Printed Date
Fresh Pork Chops last for 1-2 Days 6-8 Months
Fresh Ground Pork lasts for 1-2 Days 6-8 Months
Fresh Pork Shoulder lasts for 1-2 Days 6-8 Months
Fresh Pork Loin lasts for 1-2 Days 6-8 Months
Pork Sausage lasts for 3-4 Days 6-8 Months
(Cooked) Refrigerator Freezer
Cooked Pork Shoulder/Loin/Chops/Sausage last for 7 Days 6-8 Months

Of course, all foods last for a shorter period of time if they are not stored properly. But remember that pork, like a lot of other proteins, usually has a sell by date and not a use by date or expiration date. Because of this distinction, you may safely use it even after the sell by date has lapsed, but please enjoy yours by the eat by dates suggested above.

How to tell if Pork is bad, rotten or spoiled?

Practicing proper hygiene and food safety techniques will help prevent foodborne illness.

Although not a perfect test, your senses are usually the most reliable instruments to tell if your pork has gone bad. Some common traits of bad pork is a change in color from pink to brown (or grey). After it changes color completely it will begin to have a sour smell and be completely spoiled.

To tell if pork in the freezer has been there too long, you will see freezer burn starting to appear on the pork. Freezer burn appears in dull white patches (slightly different looking than regular ice) which are in the actual pork and not just attached to the outside. If you see a few of these spots, they can be cut off the pork plus about an inch of the surrounding area. These usually happen if there was a cut in your plastic wrap. But if you see more than a few spots, it is best to throw out the pork.

There are, of course, certain health risks associated with spoiled foods so always remember to practice food safety and enjoy your foods before their shelf life has expired!

How to store Pork to extend its shelf life?

You can help pork keep fresh longer by storing it in your refrigerator immediately after use. Once prepared, pork should be stored in a tightly closed container to keep out moisture and other contaminants.

For a long-term option, you can freeze your pork while preserving its taste if you use a freezer safe container.

Some benefits of proper food storage include eating healthier, cutting food costs and helping the environment by avoiding waste.

How long is Pork good for when prepared in a dish?

How long does pork last? That depends. How long does bread last? Foods can only last as long as the quickest expiring ingredient in the recipe.

What are our shelf life resources?

In determining how long Pork lasts, our content incorporates research from multiple resources, including the United States Department of Agriculture and the United States Food & Drug Administration. In addition, we scoured the web for informative articles and reports related to food safety, food storage and the shelf life of Pork.

*An important note about expiration dates...

Although the Pork shelf life information on Eat By Date is generally reliable, please remember that individual cases will vary and that our advice should only be taken as an opinion and not a replacement for your health care professional. Please eat responsibly!

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With oven-safe glass and water-tight lids, these food storage containers are ready for action! Not a Prime Member? Try a 30-day free trial today!

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