When you make pork, there are hardly any chances of leftovers. But it happens, whether you have made pork tenderloins, roast, or in any other way, you end up with leftovers that you don’t want to waste.
You can always store it in the fridge or refrigerator to enhance the life of leftovers. If you have a few and intend to use them within the next few days, put them in the fridge. For long storage, freezing is great.
If properly stored, even after a few days, your pork will taste as amazing as freshly cooked pork. But the question is how long you can keep the pork in the fridge. To get the answer and know much more, read the complete article:
How long is cooked pork good in the fridge?
Pulled pork
The longest you can keep fully cooked pulled pork in the fridge before freezing is 2 to 5 days. It will remain as juicy and tasty as when it’s fresh out of the cooker. Any more than that will be a risk, and you can end up wasting your pork.
Pork tenderloin
Once pork tenderloin has been cooked, it will only stay safe in the fridge for three to four days. It means you must eat it within four days or freeze it promptly. However, to guarantee optimal and safe storage, always keep the pork in the coldest part of the fridge.
Pork chops
The time that pork chops remain safe in the fridge depends on the type of cut, the temperatures it is exposed to, and the packaging used. The cooked pork chops can be stored for 4-5 days at 40°F or less. They must be tightly wrapped before storing to prevent drying out.
Cooked pork roast
The fridge life of a cooked pork roast depends majorly on storage conditions. A cooked pork roast can stay good for 3 to 4 days in the fridge if stored properly. To improve the shelf life of cooked pork roast, store it in an airtight container or wrap carefully with aluminum foil or plastic wrap.
How long is cooked pork good in the refrigerator?
Pulled Pork
Freeze cooked pulled pork in the refrigerator if you don’t have plans to eat it within the next 3 to 4 days. It can last for 6-8 months in the refrigerator. But the freezing process will dry the moisture out of pulled pork, so add any leftover cooking juice to the freezing bag.
Pork Tenderloin
Cooked pork tenderloin should be tightly wrapped and frozen in individual or family meal-sized portions. It can last for almost three months when frozen at 0°F.
Pork Chops
You can stock up pork chops for an indefinite time in a refrigerator. Cooked pork chops stay fresh in the freezer for up to two to three months before quality begins to degrade. If chops are still warm, put them in a fridge before transferring them to the refrigerator.
Cooked Pork Roast
A cooked pork roast can last for months in the refrigerator. When stored in freezer bags or wraps, the cooked pork roast can retain its quality for 2-3 months. But even after this period, it also remains safe to eat. Discard the roast if it smells sour or appears slimy; usually, it happens due to improper storage.
How long is leftover pork good for at room temperature?
The room temperature is “Danger Zone”, for cooked pork, between 40°F and 140. Bacteria grow exponentially within this range of temperatures, making the cooked pork unsafe to eat. If the bacteria cause foodborne diseases, you can get in some real trouble. So, always refrigerate any leftover pork within two hours of cooking. Keeping it any longer than that will only invite dangerous bacteria.
When the ambient temperature is above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, bacteria can grow faster than usual. In this case, it is best to store or finish the pork within 1 hour. After that, never taste the pork to check whether it is still good, as eating spoiled pork can cause illness. Remember that bacteria may still be there even if the pork looks and smells fine.
If you want to keep the cooked pork longer at room temperature, keep it hot or prevent it from cooling down. Know that small pieces of meat will cool off faster than large cuts.
However, if you suspect that the pork has gone bad, waste it immediately and don’t eat it. Signs of bad pork include color changes and a sour smell.
Cooked Pork in the Fridge for a Week: Is It Safe to Eat?
According to USDA, it is not safe to eat cooked pork after a week, even if stored in a fridge. No doubt fridge can slow down bacterial growth, but it can not stop it completely.
Besides, some bacteria are adept at growing even in cooler temperatures.
Therefore, it is best to eat the pork within 3-4 days after cooking for your well-being. You can place the pork in the freezer if you wish to consume it after a week or more.
How to Store Cooked Pork
If you have leftover pork and you won’t be eating it soon, store it safely to stop the growth of bacteria that can cause diseases—store leftover pork cooked in a sauce or gravy in an airtight container.
And cover the pork completely with sauce and seal the container.
Pack it in a moisture-proof heavyweight plastic wrap, foil, freezer bags, or freezer paper if pork is cooked without sauce.
Then put it in the fridge or refrigerator immediately to use later.
Make sure to get as much air as you possibly can out of those bags, wraps, or containers to ensure everything inside remains fresh for however long they are stored.
Expelling all the air out is important to preserve the flavor and moisture of the pork. After this, label it with a marker, including the date ingredients and the heating instructions.
Also, try to consume within two to three months, after reheating to at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Risks of Eating expired Cooked Pork
Most of us have probably eaten pork, not knowing it is expired. Because we can’t see bacteria in pork that can cause food poisoning or illness. Eating expired pork past its best-by date can expose your system to harmful bacteria.That bacteria can cause a lot of damages in your body, like vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and other diseases.
Expired pork will be low on key nutrients, and the longer it sits, the more nutrients it may lose. It can contain large amounts of harmful bacteria such as E. coli and Bacteroides.
Consequently, eating spoiled or expired pork may develop symptoms of foodborne illness which may include fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps.
Hence, it is crucial to keep track of when you stored the pork; it will help you determine whether it is still fresh. The best way to check if your pork is edible is to do a visual exam. Check for any mold and smell the pork. But if you are not sure whether or not it is expired, you should avoid eating it.
Final Words
For your safety and to maintain the integrity of cooked pork, make sure to store the pork promptly in the fridge for a suitable period.
Cooked pork stays good in the fridge but not for too long. Keep track of days to prevent pork’s wastage or compromise your health.
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How Long is Cooked Pork Good in the Fridge
Ingredients
- Cooked pork
Instructions
- Pulled pork: The longest you can keep fully cooked pulled pork in the fridge before freezing is 2 to 5 days.
- Pork tenderloin: Once pork tenderloin has been cooked, it will only stay safe in the fridge for three to four days.
- Pork chops:The cooked pork chops can be stored for 4-5 days at 40°F or less.
- Cooked pork roast: A cooked pork roast can stay good for 3 to 4 days in the fridge if stored properly.
