One thing I learned from making red beans over the years is that it’s a labor of love. There’s more to it than quickly gathering some ingredients together and dumping it into a pot. I learned that the key to making a great pot of beans is to build up the flavors, just like in gumbo or jambalaya.
Pickled pork is a delicious preserved meat that adds a tangy, salty kick to sandwiches, stews, soups, and more. But how long does pickled pork last once prepared? This complete guide covers everything you need to know about properly storing pickled pork to extend its shelf life and keep it safe to eat.
Overview of Pickled Pork
Pickled pork is raw pork that has been cured or brined in a vinegar solution known as a pickling liquid. The pork soaks in this acidic liquid anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, allowing the vinegar, spices, and salt to penetrate the meat.
This pickling process adds flavor while also preserving the pork It gives the meat a characteristic sour, tangy taste and firm but tender texture The vinegar acts as a preservative, allowing the pickled pork to be stored for longer than fresh pork.
Common cuts used for pickling include pork shoulder pork belly, and pork hocks or knuckles. The pork can be left in larger cuts or sliced into smaller pieces before pickling.
How Long Does Pickled Pork Last in the Fridge?
Properly prepared pickled pork that has been continuously refrigerated will keep for
- Unopened: About 1 year
- Opened: About 3 to 4 weeks
When the pork is opened, its shelf life goes down because air can make it go bad faster. The pickling liquid will help the meat last longer as long as it covers the whole thing.
Put open pickled pork in a container that won’t let air in, and check it often for signs of going bad. It is not safe to eat if the liquid turns cloudy or a mold film forms.
Does Pickled Pork Need to Be Refrigerated?
Yes, pickled pork needs to be kept in the fridge to stop bacteria from growing and keep it from going bad. The vinegar and salt in the pickling liquid stop bacteria from growing, but they don’t make the pork last longer on the shelf.
Leaving pickled pork out at room temperature for more than 2 hours (or 1 hour above 90°F) allows harmful bacteria to multiply quickly. Refrigeration is essential for safety.
Can You Freeze Pickled Pork?
Pickled pork can be frozen to extend its shelf life even longer, up to 4 to 6 months. To freeze:
- Drain excess brine so pork is not submerged
- Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, foil or freezer bags
- Squeeze out air and seal
- Label package with date and contents
- Freeze at 0°F or below
Let thawed pickled pork rest in the fridge 1 to 2 days before using to allow moisture to redistribute. Use within 3 to 4 days. Do not refreeze after thawing.
How to Tell If Pickled Pork Has Gone Bad
Watch for these signs that pickled pork has spoiled and is unsafe to eat:
- Mold growth – dry fuzzy spots or slimy film on surface
- Strange odors – rancid, rotten, sour smell
- Bubbles in pickling liquid
- Cloudy brine
- Slime formation
- Discoloration – unnatural colors like green, yellow, grey
- Soft or mushy texture
If pickled pork displays any of these red flags, play it safe and throw it away. Do not taste test pork you suspect may be spoiled.
What Happens If You Eat Bad Pickled Pork?
Consuming pickled pork that has gone bad puts you at risk for foodborne illness. The bacteria that cause spoiled pork produce toxins that can cause symptoms like:
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- Abdominal cramping
- Headache, fever
- Chills
- General malaise
In severe cases, food poisoning from bad pickled pork can even be life-threatening. When in doubt, remember it’s not worth getting sick over. Discard any iffy pickled pork.
How to Store Pickled Pork for Maximum Freshness
Follow these tips for maximizing the shelf life of your pickled pork:
- Refrigerate immediately after pickling and keep stored in the fridge
- Use non-reactive containers like glass or plastic to store
- Keep pork fully submerged in the pickling liquid
- Make sure container is airtight to avoid air exposure
- Never let sit out for over 2 hours before refrigerating
- Check regularly for signs of spoilage
- Discard if pickling liquid becomes cloudy or moldy
How to Use Up Pickled Pork Before It Goes Bad
To use pickled pork while it’s still fresh, try these tasty ideas:
- Sandwiches – Slice thinly for cold cut sandwiches
- Stir fries – Add flavor to Asian-style dishes
- Stews – Braise chunks in gravy or broth-based stews
- Soups – Slide cubes into bean, lentil, or veggie soups
- Salads – Toss bits in grain bowls and green or pasta salads
- Omelets – Dice up small for hearty egg breakfasts
- Nachos/tacos – Top with cheese, salsa, avocado
- Beans and rice – Flavor bean-based dishes like red beans and rice
- Snacking – Enjoy pickled pork bites as an appetizer
Get creative with ways to use up pickled pork within 4 weeks of opening. Adjust seasonings in dishes to complement the tang.
Can You Re-Pickle Pork After Opening?
It is not recommended to re-pickle pork after opening to extend its shelf life. Re-pickling may increase the risk of contamination and foodborne illness.
Instead, portion out unused pickled pork into meal-sized servings and freeze those servings immediately to preserve freshness long term. Thaw only what you plan to eat within 3 to 4 days.
Discard any leftover pickled pork after 4 weeks in the fridge. Do not rely on re-pickling opened pork to make it last longer safely.
How Long Does Homemade Pickled Pork Last?
The shelf life of homemade pickled pork depends on the recipe, ingredients, and pickling process used. Properly prepared homemade pickled pork will generally last:
- Refrigerated: About 4 to 6 months
- Frozen: Up to 1 year
Follow tested recipes from trusted sources and adhere to pickling times. Refrigerate immediately after jarring, keeping the pork fully submerged. Use pickle crisp or grape leaves to keep homemade pickled pork crunchy.
Discard if you see any signs of spoilage like mold, sliminess, or an off smell or appearance. For best quality and food safety, enjoy your homemade pickled pork within 6 months.
In Summary
Pickled pork can be safely stored for 1 year unopened in the fridge, and about 3 to 4 weeks after opening. For maximum shelf life, keep refrigerated and use within 4 weeks of opening. Look for signs of spoilage before consuming, and toss out any pickled pork that looks or smells bad. With proper refrigerated storage, you can safely enjoy pickled pork for up to a month after opening.
Can you make Pickled Pork at home?
To get that amazing authentic red beans and rice, you need that pickled pork seasoned flavor. If you order it online, though, it might cost more than you thought—not for the product itself, but for the shipping. You have to make it at home if you’re like me and can’t just drive about a thousand miles to southern Louisiana and New Orleans, even though I would without a doubt.
Who helped me figure out how to make pickled pork at home? Our friends at Camellia Beans. They have a great recipe on their website called the 7 Day Pickled Pork.
Before we start, I want you to know about two great things about this recipe.
1. Making pickled pork at home is a lot easier than you think. We’ll talk more about that in the next section.
2. It doesn’t cost that much because the ingredients will only cost you $15 to $20 and give you 4 pounds of pickled pork. At the end, that price is less than what it would cost to buy a 1-pound package online, plus the cost of shipping and waiting for it to arrive.
The Process of Making Pickled Pork
Like I just mentioned, the entire process is pretty simple. To sum up, you’ll cut the pork into 1- or 2-inch cubes, rub them with a rub, and let them sit. Then, you make a quick brine and let it sit until it cools. Then, you combine the coated pork and the brine and let it sit for a week. After the 7 days, you drain the brine and separate the pickled pork into 1-pound bags.
How To Make Pickled Pork
FAQ
How long does pickled pork last in the fridge?
How long will pickled meat last?
Can you freeze pickled pork?
Do pickled pork skin need to be refrigerated?
How long do you let pickled pork rest before cooking?
Rest and Slice: Once the pickled pork is cooked, remove it from the heat and let it rest for a few minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute and ensures a tender and flavorful result. Slice the pickled pork against the grain to maximize tenderness.
Does pickle juice need to be refrigerated?
Pickle juice does not need to be refrigerated, but most people find that the drink tastes much better chilled than at room temperature. It must be stored away from excessive heat in a cool, dry place. Pickle juice remains safe and stable at room temperature as long as it is still sealed. Once unsealed, you will need to refrigerate it.
Does pickled pork need to be cooked?
Take the pork out of the refrigerator and cook it in accordance with whatever recipe you are adding it to. Although the pork is pickled, and thus preserved, the pork does still need to be cooked over some kind of heat. This version of pickled pork is used often in red beans and rice in New Orleans, where it is often called “pickle meat.”
How long can you keep pickled meat in the fridge?
Then cover the container and put it in the refrigerator for at least 3 days for the meat to absorb the pickling flavors. NOTE: If the pickled meat will not be used within 2 weeks after it has pickled for at least 3 days in the refrigerator, remove the meat from the brining liquid and freeze it in a tightly sealed bag until needed.