Can pork chops last a week in the fridge? can be a struggle for most home cooks. Your pork chops have been sitting in a fridge for a few days, and you’re unsure if they are still safe to cook. Read this post to find the answer.
What’s more? Through this post, you can learn about signs of bad pork chops and how long they can stay edible. I will also introduce you to the best ways of storing them. I can confirm this post will satisfy your needs for knowledge. Now, let’s get to the point!
Overview About Pork Chops
Pork chops come from the pig’s loin. It consists of the part from the hip to the pig’s shoulder. Some types of pork chops you may know are boneless pork chop, rib pork chop, pork loin chop, and shoulder pork chop.
This delicious type of meat is a good source of vitamins, minerals, and protein. Moderate consumption of pork chops is beneficial to strengthen your immune function and prevent your body from getting cancer and heart diseases. (1)
On the contrary, an excessive intake of pork chops can ruin your health because you may have a higher risk of catching cardiovascular diseases. Also, consuming undercooked and spoiled pork chops will likely affect your health.
How Long Do Pork Chops Last?
This table will summarize the shelf life of pork chops in various conditions:
Like countless kinds of food, pork chops can go bad. Their longevity depends on the types of pork chops and storing methods. It’s important to know when it will be a golden time to cook pork chops and when you need to get rid of them.
Packed Pork Chops
After being purchased, packed pork chops can last for 3-5 days in the fridge as long as you keep their original package. When storing them in the freezer, they will last 4-6 months.
Raw pork chops only stay safe for 2 hours when keeping them at room temperature. After that time, bacteria will start growing rapidly. So, if you can’t cook your pork chops right after buying them, you should wrap them and let them sit in the fridge.
Frozen Pork Chops
Frozen pork chops keep their quality for about 4 to 6 months in the freezer. But they also can be safe to eat beyond that time. The best temperature to keep them in the freezer is 0°F.
Thawed Pork chops
The storage time of thawed pork chops depends on how you thaw them. If you let them defrost in the fridge, the pork chops can stay edible for 3-5 days when you still keep them in the fridge. Additionally, you can also refreeze pork thawed this way.
On the contrary, if you use the microwave or cold water to thaw the pork chops, you should cook them right after defrosting because they are prone to bacteria when exposed to room temperature.
Canned Pork Chops
This type of pork chop can last for years but will retain its best quality for 2-3 years. After the 3-year mark, the pork may decrease in quality, but it’s still safe to eat. Always store your canned pork chops in a cool, dry, and dark place.
Cooked Pork Chops
Cooked pork chops stay their quality depending on your purpose. They can be safe for 3-4 days in the fridge and last for 4 months in the freezer. Besides, they maintain the best quality for no longer than 2 hours at room temperature.
Signs Of Spoiled Pork Chops
You can easily determine whether your pork chop goes bad or not by using your senses, including smell and sight. Here are some telltale signs that your pork chops are past their prime.
Raw Pork Chops
You can detect whether your pork chops have gone bad by changes in their smell, appearance, and sell-by date. These are common indicators that can give you precise results regarding signs of spoiled pork chops.
Smell
Fresh pork shouldn’t have a strong smell. At best, you should only smell a faint metallic scent. On the other hand, spoiled pork chops smell sour and rancid. And its odor will annoy you immediately when you open the package.
Some describe this smell as rotten eggs. Some feel it’s ammonia. That’s when you know that you have to discard them.
Color
Fresh pork chops usually have a pink color. When you see your meat has a dull color, it must have started to spoil. If they turn gray or brown, your pork chops are not inedible.
Texture
Don’t forget to check the texture because fresh and spoiled pork chops are vastly different in this department.
Fresh pork chop always has a firm and moist texture. You can feel it when you press the meat. In contrast, pork chops that have gone bad have a slimy and sticky texture. If it’s the case, it’s advisable to get rid of it.
The Expiration Date
When you buy pork chops in the grocery, there’s always an expiration date labeled on the package. This date will show you the time your meat maintains its best quality. You should consume your meat within the recommended time. After that, the pork chops might not be safe to eat.
Puffed Up Packaging
Sometimes, pork chops spoil in the packaging, and you can easily notice without removing the package. When the packaging is puffy, the bacteria has started growing and multiplying. You should not use this meat.
Sometimes, a bloated package doesn’t mean that the pork chops inside are spoiled. It may happen due to the way the meat is processed. So, you should cut open the package and double-check carefully before throwing it away.
Learn the best signs to tell if your meat is bad in under 1 minute.
Leftover Pork Chops
Time, smell, and texture are key indicators determining if your leftover pork chops go bad. They can only retain their quality for up to 4 days if you keep them in the fridge with wrapped plastic. And, do not leave them at room temperature for over 2 hours.
Next, spoiled cooked pork chops also have a sour smell like rotten eggs or sulfur and a slimy and sticky texture. In some cases, mold appears on the surface. These signs will indicate that your meat is dangerous to consume.
The Danger Of Eating Spoiled Pork Chops
Pork chops that have gone bad may contain bacteria causing food poisoning. As a result, when you consume bad pork chops, the chance is you are at a higher risk of getting an illness.
Some common symptoms that might occur:
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Stomach cramps
- Fever (2)
When you cook spoiled pork chops, a high temperature can kill bacteria, so you won’t get sick. But it doesn’t mean that you can consume rotten pork chops as some bacteria can release their toxins during cooking, some of which remain in the food and cause illness.
You have to check the quality of your available pork chops to ensure they are safe to cook, as you won’t know if there are any potential risks when cooking and eating bad pork chops.
The Best Ways To Store Pork Chops
You’ve learned the shelf life of each type of pork chop. Here are some recommendations for you to store them properly so that they can be edible in the long term.
How To Refrigerate Pork Chops
Firstly, you need to wrap your pork chops in aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Then put them in an airtight container. Next, place the airtight container in your fridge below 40°F. This instruction applies to both raw pork chops and cooked ones.
If you purchase pre-packaged pork chops, you can store them in their original wrapping. Remember to keep uncooked meat separated from cooked foods. You should also refrigerate your meat right after getting home.
How To Freeze Raw Pork Chops
Raw pork chops can last for 4-6 months in the freezer. Let’s check how to freeze them properly.
Step 1: Preparing
You will need a zip bag and a pen to write information about its name and date to distinguish it from other foods in your freezer. Prepare stretch film.
Step 2: Wrapping Your Pork Chops
Use a plastic bag to wrap your pork chop. Wrap them twice to make sure there’s no air left. Put wrapped pork chops in the zip bag and push the air out.
Step 3: Freezing Pork Chop
Put wrapped pork chops in the freezer. They can be safe for several months.
Follow these steps when freezing to extend your pork chops’ shelf life.
How To Freeze Cooked Pork Chops
If you cook too many pork chops and you can’t consume them within a few days, then freezing is the best choice to extend their shelf life.
Step 1: Preparing
You can use freezer wrap or parchment paper to cover your pork as they can help lengthen the shelf life of cooked pork chops. Additionally, airtight containers and freezer bags are also great choices.
Step 2: Wrapping
Use paper to wrap each slice of pork chops. Then use a larger piece of paper to wrap them all in one. Write down its name and the date you freeze on the paper.
Step 3: Freezing
Put the wrapped pork chops in the freezer and defrost them when you eat.
Note: You should reheat cooked pork chops once.
Freezing cooked pork chops becomes easier with these tips.
How To Can Pork Chops
Not many people know about canning, but it is still a safe way to preserve your pork chops. Let’s see how to do it:
Step 1: Preparing
Clean your jars with warm water, then dry them. Clean, trim, and cut your pork chops into 1-inch cubes.
Step 2: Filling The Jars
Fill the jars with pork chops and leave 1-inch headspace. After that, use paper towels to clean the rim of your jars and secure them with lids and rings.
Step 3: Putting The Jars Into Your Pressure Canner
Add jars to the pressure canner and make sure they don’t stick together. Then, fill the canner with enough water that reaches below the jar’s bend.
Step 4: Canning
Now, close the canner and set the heat to high. Wait for the steam to come out of the vent, then set the timer to 10 minutes. Afterward, cover the vent and watch the dial until it reads 11 psi.
At this point, you’ll need to set a suitable temperature so the canner can hold the pressure. Check the manual of your canner for the proper number. Process quart jars for 1 hour and 30 minutes and pint jars for 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Step 4: Finishing
Turn off the heat and wait for the canner to cool. Once cooled, open the lid and let the jars rest for 5-10 minutes before taking them out. Place the jars on a kitchen towel and let them sit on the kitchen counter for 12 hours.
Finally, put these jars in cool and dark places to prevent them from going spoiled.
How To Thaw Pork Chops
The ideal place to thaw meat is in the fridge because it can prevent bacteria from causing illness. Let them sit for about 12 -24 hours until fully defrosted. The time depends on the weight of your pork chops.
If you do not have time to wait, you can thaw your pork chops by submerging them in cold water. You can also use warm water but don’t use hot water because it might cook the top layer of your meat.
Note: You should change the water every 30 minutes.
Another popular way to defrost pork chops is using a microwave. After removing all the wrapping, put them on a plate. Then, place it into the microwave and turn on the heat. The time and power depend on the size of your meat, so make sure to adjust the microwave.
Let’s try this useful way to defrost your pork chops within 5 minutes.
How To Tell If Pork Chops Are Done
There are several ways to help you determine your pork chops’ doneness. Here are the most popular and simple ones:
With A Thermometer
The most exact method to check the doneness of pork chops is using a thermometer.
Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of your meat. If its internal temperature reaches 145°F-160°F, your pork chops are safe to eat. Although you might be wondering if it’s safe to consume pink pork, a little bit of pink color inside is no problem.
In case the number is below 145°F, spend more time cooking it; if it’s over 160°F, your meat is overcooked.
Learn how to properly use a thermometer here.
Without A Thermometer
How can you check your pork chops if you do not have a thermometer? Here are some handy methods you can apply.
When you see your pork chops are beautifully golden-brown, use a tong to press the meat. It should be firm but not hard. Additionally, if you see a bit of pinkness in the middle when you cut the meat and clear juice melts out, it’s safe to eat the pork chops.
You also can identify if your pork chops are done thanks to the time and cooking methods. Baking pork chops at 350°F with proper time is one of the easiest ways to ensure your pork is perfectly cooked.
I would suggest searing the meat for a few minutes per side. Then, spend about 18-20 minutes baking it in the oven at 350°F.
Slow cooking is another effective way to cook pork chops. You can detect the doneness by pulling the flesh. If you can do it easily, then turn off the heat.
FAQs
When you research more about the quality of pork chops, it will bring some related problems. Therefore, this FAQ part below has addressed questions you may struggle with.
Now, It’s Time To Check Your Pork Chops
After reading this post, let’s identify the quality of your pork chops. Have they gone bad? Can you name signs of spoiled pork chops on yours? I hope this post has provided you with useful information about pork chops spoilage.
On the bottom line, when you finish storing your pork chops in the recommended ways, show me the results.
This post is necessary for everyone, so share it with your beloved friends and family. If you have any further questions, comment on this post. Thanks a lot for reading.
References
- RD, B. H. M., (2021). Pork Chops: Nutrients, Benefits, Downsides, and Cooking Tips.
- RD, H. W., (2017). 10 Signs and Symptoms of Food Poisoning.
