Maximizing Freshness: How Long Can Raw Pork Stay in the Fridge? (2024)

You can use pork in a lot of different ways, from making sausages to roasts. But, like any raw meat, pork goes bad quickly and only lasts a short time in the fridge. To keep food from going bad and making you sick, you need to know how long raw pork can stay in the fridge. Here is a comprehensive guide to maximizing pork freshness.

Overview of Raw Pork Fridge Life

The shelf life of raw pork depends on the cut:

  • Raw pork chops – 3 to 5 days
  • Raw ground pork – 1 to 2 days

These timeframes assume proper constant refrigeration at 40°F or below. Always rely on your senses not just the date on the package.

3 Factors that Impact Raw Pork Fridge Life

These three key factors determine how long raw pork stays fresh

1. Proper Temperature

  • Fridge temp at 40°F or below
  • Freezer at 0°F

Cold temperatures slow bacteria growth

2. Type of Packaging

  • Intact, well-sealed packaging prevents contamination.
  • Open packages or loose meat spoils faster.

3. Handling

  • Separating into portions helps avoid cross-contamination.
  • Minimizing contact avoids transferring bacteria.

Understanding what affects raw pork’s shelf life helps maximize freshness.

How to Tell if Raw Pork Has Spoiled

Watch for these signs of spoiled raw pork:

  • Grayish color instead of pink
  • Slimy or sticky texture
  • Rancid or sour odor

Discard raw pork with these characteristics. Consuming it could potentially cause food poisoning.

Storing Raw Pork for Maximum Freshness

Follow these guidelines to safely store raw pork:

  • Refrigerate raw pork immediately after purchase.
  • Maintain refrigerator temp at 40°F or below.
  • Place raw pork in sealable plastic bags or airtight containers.
  • Avoid cross-contamination by separating raw pork from other foods.
  • Use raw ground pork within 1-2 days.
  • Use raw pork chops within 3-5 days.
  • Freeze extras right away for 4-12 months of storage.

Raw Pork Refrigerator Storage Times

Follow these recommended maximum storage times from the USDA:

Raw Pork Chops

  • 3 to 5 days in fridge

Raw Ground Pork

  • 1 to 2 days in fridge

Raw Pork Roasts

  • 3 to 5 days in fridge

Freezing Raw Pork

For extended storage, freeze raw pork:

  • Chops: 4 to 12 months
  • Roasts: 4 to 12 months
  • Ground pork: 3 to 4 months

Freeze before the expiration of normal fridge life.

Tips for Freezing Raw Pork

To freeze raw pork:

  • Place in freezer bags or airtight containers
  • Remove as much air as possible
  • Label with date and contents
  • Freeze immediately after packaging

The Takeaway

The shelf life of raw pork in the fridge is limited. Follow safe handling procedures. Refrigerate raw pork right away and use within recommended time frames. Freeze additional pork for extended storage. With proper storage and handling, you can safely enjoy fresh pork dishes.

Maximizing Freshness: How Long Can Raw Pork Stay in the Fridge? (1)

Ask the Test Kitchen: How Long Will Meat Last in the Fridge?

FAQ

Can I cook pork after 7 days in the fridge?

For raw ground meats, poultry, seafood and variety meats (liver, tongue, chitterlings, etc.), refrigerate them only 1 to 2 days before either cooking or freezing. Beef, veal, lamb and pork roasts, steaks and chops may be kept 3 to 5 days.

When should you throw away raw pork?

In general, consumers have one to three days to use that meat product if it is fresh before there would be concern from a safety standpoint. Typically retailers will mark down the price of a product if the sell by date is near.

How long can thawed pork stay in the fridge?

While foods are in the process of thawing in the refrigerator (40 °F or less), they remain safe. After thawing, use ground meats, poultry, and fish within one or two additional days, and use beef, pork, lamb or veal (roasts, steaks, or chops) within three to five days.

How long can you keep raw pork in the fridge?

Raw ground pork should only be kept in the fridge for one to two days. It’s important to note that these guidelines are for fresh, uncooked pork. Once the pork has been cooked, it should be kept in the fridge for two to three days before being discarded. If you plan on storing pork in the fridge, it’s important to keep it below 40°F at all times.

How long can raw eggs last in the refrigerator?

It can last from 4 to 5 weeks depending on the state of your refrigerator. Please make sure to check whether there are broken eggs before storing them in fridge. Remove broken eggs to prevent contamination with the other eggs.

Should pork be stored in the refrigerator or freezer?

Remember to store your pork in the refrigerator or freezer as soon as you get it home. The goal of storing pork is to keep it in a temperature range that will not cause bacteria to develop. Ideally, pork should be stored in the refrigerator at a temperature at or below 40°F.

Does ground pork need to be refrigerated?

It’s essential to keep the meat refrigerated at a temperature below 40°F. It’s recommended to put the ground pork in a sealed airtight container in the coldest part of the refrigerator to keep it from spoiling. It’s better to avoid buying meat from a store that doesn’t have a refrigerator or a clear expiration date.

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Maximizing Freshness: How Long Can Raw Pork Stay in the Fridge? (2024)

FAQs

Maximizing Freshness: How Long Can Raw Pork Stay in the Fridge? ›

Put packages of raw pork in disposable plastic bags (if available) to contain any leakage which could cross contaminate cooked foods or produce. Take pork home immediately and refrigerate it at 40 °F (4.4 °C); use within 3 to 5 days or freeze (0 °F / -17.8 °C or less).

How long can uncooked pork stay in the fridge? ›

Fresh, uncooked pork can be refrigerated about as long as other meats: three to five days. This is regardless of whether it's a roast or pork chops. Raw ground pork should also only be kept in the fridge for one to two days.

Can you eat pork that's been in the fridge for 6 days? ›

USDA recommends using cooked pork within three to four days, kept refrigerated (40 °F or less). Refrigeration slows but does not stop bacterial growth. USDA recommends using cooked leftovers within three to four days.

How long does vacuum sealed raw pork last in the fridge? ›

Raw Meats – Raw meats can be kept up to 10 day when vacuum packed before needing to be cooked or frozen. In comparison, raw meat that is not vacuum packed will only last 3-5 days in the refrigerator before turning.

How to tell if raw pork is bad? ›

So, you're in the mood for pork chops, but you're not sure if the meat you bought last week is still good. Luckily, you've come to the right place! There are 5 leading signs of spoilage in pork: it smells rotten, it looks yellow or gray, it's slimy, it's in bloated packaging, or it's past the sell-by date.

How long can pork marinate in the fridge? ›

You can marinate pork, beef, lamb, veal, or game animals such as venison in the refrigerator in a covered container three to five days. Boil used marinade before brushing on cooked meat. Discard any uncooked leftover marinade.

How long is thawed pork good in the fridge? ›

Information. While foods are in the process of thawing in the refrigerator (40 °F or less), they remain safe. After thawing, use ground meats, poultry, and fish within one or two additional days, and use beef, pork, lamb or veal (roasts, steaks, or chops) within three to five days.

Can I eat pork 7 days after the sell-by date? ›

"It's safe to say 'days' but not more than a week for most refrigerated produce, months to years for canned and dry goods in the pantry, and I would say to not go past the date in the fridge for meat/fish/poultry, but they can last three months with good quality and if properly stored in the freezer," Jones says.

How long can you dry pork in the fridge? ›

Great pork crackle start with using great quality Sweet Bangalow Pork. Remove pork roast from packaging and season with olive oil, course salt & cracked pepper, leave in fridge uncovered for up to 24 hours before cooking.

Can I eat week old pulled pork? ›

Generally, pulled pork lasts three to four days in the fridge. Eating it after a week is risky, as harmful bacteria might have grown on the meat, even if there are no obvious signs of spoilage.

When should you throw away raw pork? ›

Whole cuts of pork may be refrigerated for up to five days after purchase. Ground pork may be refrigerated for one to two days after purchase. Cooked pork should be consumed within three to four days after cooking or frozen for up to three months. Washing meat before cooking it is not recommended.

How to tell if vacuum packed pork is bad? ›

Colour Check: After rinsing, the meat should return to its natural colour within 30 minutes. If it remains grey or brown and emits a strong odour, it is likely spoiled. Texture Test: Spoiled meat often feels sticky or slimy. If the meat retains these characteristics after rinsing, it should be discarded.

Does vacuum sealing keep meat longer? ›

Unlike other forms of storage, vacuum-sealed meats provide a vast range of unique benefits. For instance, beef and poultry can last up to two to three years compared to ordinary storage, making it one of the best ways to preserve meat.

Does raw pork go bad in the fridge? ›

For raw ground meats, poultry, seafood and variety meats (liver, tongue, chitterlings, etc.), refrigerate them only 1 to 2 days before either cooking or freezing. Beef, veal, lamb and pork roasts, steaks and chops may be kept 3 to 5 days.

What happens if you cook spoiled pork? ›

No, you should never consume meat if you suspect it is spoiled. Symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and fever are all commonly associated with food poisoning. While cooking the meat will kill the bacteria in the meat, it will not neutralise the toxins that the bacteria has already produced.

How long does it take for spoiled pork to make you sick? ›

This depends on the cause of the contamination. For instance, symptoms of a bacterial infection linked to undercooked pork (yersiniosis), can appear between four to seven days after eating the contaminated food. But on average, food poisoning symptoms begin within two to six hours after consuming contaminated food.

Is raw ground beef good after 7 days in the fridge? ›

Raw ground beef is generally safe to consume within 1 to 2 days of refrigeration. After 4 days, there's an increased risk of bacterial growth and spoilage. To ensure food safety, it's best to cook or freeze raw ground beef within a couple of days of purchasing it.

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