Every time I teach lacto-fermenting to clients and then go home, I always go by a popular barbecue restaurant in the area. It’s interesting that I’ve seen an ambulance parked out front more than once with its lights flashing. To be fair, I do walk by a lot of restaurants, but it seems like I don’t see the fire departments at many of them very often. I haven’t seen any research on this, but I do know why barbecues might be a problem and what can be done to fix them.
Pork and sauerkraut is a classic comfort food dish that has been enjoyed for centuries. This German-inspired meal featuring tender pork and tangy fermented cabbage is the perfect hearty meal on a cold winter’s day. But like any cooked dish, pork and sauerkraut has a limited shelf life. So how long does it last in the fridge or freezer? Here’s a complete guide to maximizing the shelf life and preserving pork and sauerkraut.
How Long Does Cooked Pork and Sauerkraut Last in the Fridge?
Cooked pork and sauerkraut that has been properly stored in an airtight container in the fridge will keep for 3 to 5 days The sauerkraut is already fermented so it has a longer shelf life than fresh produce The pork also holds up well in the acidic environment of the sauerkraut. But like any cooked meat, it can still spoil after a few days.
Pay attention to the look, smell, and texture of the pork and sauerkraut It should retain its signature tangy smell The pork should still be moist and tender. If you notice any sliminess, stickiness, or bad odors, it’s best to throw it out. Always rely on your senses, not just the number of days passed, to determine if it’s gone bad.
Proper storage is key to maximizing how long pork and sauerkraut lasts. Keep it in an airtight glass or plastic container instead of the original cooking pot. This prevents evaporation and seals in freshness. Store the container on a shelf rather than in the door where the temperature fluctuates more. And be sure to refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking. Leaving pork and sauerkraut at room temp too long gives bacteria a chance to grow.
Extending Shelf Life with Meal Prep Tips
There are some easy ways to make your cooked pork and sauerkraut last even longer in the fridge:
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Portion it out – Separate pork and sauerkraut into individual airtight containers right away. This prevents contamination from opening the big batch daily.
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Use freezer bags – Divide into serving sizes and place in freezer bags. Remove excess air and seal. The bags contour to the shape of the contents unlike rigid containers.
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Add acids – Stir in a squirt of lemon juice or vinegar before storage. The acidity inhibits bacterial growth.
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Use ice cube trays – Freeze sauerkraut in trays for easy individual portions to add to meals later.
Employing these meal prep methods can extend the shelf life of pork and sauerkraut to up to a week in the fridge. Just remember to rely on your senses and practice food safety when reheating.
Freezing Pork and Sauerkraut for Long Term Storage
For even longer term storage, freezing is the way to go with cooked pork and sauerkraut. It will easily keep in the freezer for 4 to 6 months. And some sources say it can last up to a year in the freezer if properly stored.
As when refrigerating, it’s important to portion pork and sauerkraut into airtight containers or freezer bags. Remove as much air as possible before sealing and freeze immediately after cooking. Quick freezing prevents large ice crystals from forming and damaging the texture.
Thawing and reheating frozen pork and sauerkraut requires some care too. Thaw in the fridge overnight instead of on the counter. And reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave at half power. This prevents overcooking the already tender pork.
One tip when freezing sauerkraut by itself is to first rinse it. This removes some of the excess salty brine that can prevent it from freezing solidly. Also, the color may darken slightly when frozen but the flavor remains.
How to Know If Frozen Pork and Sauerkraut Has Gone Bad
Frozen pork and sauerkraut will keep for at least several months in the freezer as long as it remains well-sealed. But even in the freezer, food eventually deteriorates in quality and safety. Signs that frozen pork and sauerkraut may be past its prime and should be discarded include:
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Ice crystals or dry spots on the pork – This indicates freezer burn and loss of moisture.
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Mold or ice on the sauerkraut – This signals it was not sealed airtight before freezing.
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Strange odor, stickiness, or mushy texture – The food has likely spoiled in the freezer.
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More than 1 year in the freezer – Pork and sauerkraut will gradually dry out and lose flavor over time.
Rely on the look, smell, and texture along with storage times. And if there’s any doubt about the safety or quality, remember it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Quick Tips for Refrigerating and Freezing Pork and Sauerkraut
Here’s a quick summary of proper storage times and methods for maximizing how long cooked pork and sauerkraut lasts:
- Refrigerate in airtight containers for 3-5 days
- Prepare individual portions for fridge to extend life 1 week
- Freeze in airtight bags or containers up to 1 year
- Rinse sauerkraut before freezing for better quality
- Thaw frozen pork and sauerkraut in the fridge
- Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave at half power
With the right storage techniques, you can enjoy tasty leftover pork and sauerkraut for lunches and quick meals throughout the week. Or stash some away in the freezer to savor this comforting dish any time you get a craving.
Cooking Up More Sauerkraut Dishes
Beyond the traditional pairing with pork, sauerkraut is delicious in all kinds of recipes. Here are some more ways to put this tangy fermented cabbage to use:
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Sauerkraut Pierogi – Fold sauerkraut into the filling for these classic Polish dumplings.
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Maple Glazed Salmon with Sauerkraut – Sweet salmon balances the pleasant sourness of sauerkraut.
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Sauerkraut Soup – Warm up with smoky kielbasa and veggies in broth.
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Sauerkraut Pancakes – Shredded cabbage gives potato pancakes extra flavor.
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Turkey Reuben Sandwich – Pile sauerkraut and Swiss on rye bread for an easy weeknight meal.
Don’t toss that leftover sauerkraut – use it up in tasty new ways! From pierogi to pancakes, let sauerkraut be your new go-to for adding tangy cabbage flavor.
Pork and sauerkraut is the ultimate cold weather comfort meal. With proper refrigeration and freezing, you can enjoy its flavors long after the initial cooking. Employ these food storage tips so you always have a warm serving readily available. Just be sure to rely on your senses and practice safe food handling. Then savor the tender pork, creamy potatoes, and tart sauerkraut to your heart’s content!
Pork… Thicker Than Blood
Over the years many of us have heard that pork may not be healthy. Why? I have heard many different ideas and studies about why! I personally feel it goes back to that old saying, “You are what you eat!” And in this case what you eat does affect you and your blood. In 2011 Beverly Rubik published a study on how pork affects the blood of people after eating it.
The study’s main result was that people’s red blood cells clumped together (extremely coagulated) after eating pork. Wow! Normally, red blood cells move around freely and are not tightly grouped together. This makes it easy for oxygen to get to all parts of the body. Being able to do the same things as usual takes a lot more work when the blood is thick. Beverly to be fair even used a high quality pastured pork in her tests.
Your body may have been under the same kind of stress from having thick blood. Have you ever been really thirsty and had a headache or just felt bad? Drink some water, and you’ll feel better. As it turns out, oxygen is having trouble getting to the lungs of pork until the body fixes the problem. Be very thankful for your kidneys and liver. Maybe this helps explain why I saw the rescue crew at the barbeque restaurant often. If your health wasn’t good to begin with, not being able to carry oxygen around will not make it better.
Two Fixes For Pork
Well before you get all upset and run the pig off, let me share what else Beverly discovered!
She discovered that when the pork was marinated, the red blood cells did not clump together as much as when the pork was not marinated. When blood samples were taken after eating marinated pork, they looked almost normal. Beverly also found that the same thing didn’t happen when uncured pork was eaten.
I know for a lot of you this is great news since pork is a very enjoyed meat. Are you ready for fix number two?.
Let me ask you a question. What is normally eaten on or with bratwurst? Hint: Think of this eaten in a bun like a hot dog… Did you say sauerkraut? Beverly followed up her initial testing of pork in 2013 with a second study. This time she looked at what the red blood cells did when pork was eaten with a commercial cultured (lacto-fermented) raw sauerkraut, not that canned stuff. Hold onto your seat for this one. (That is a strange saying if you think about it, anyway…) The results came out about the same as when the pork was marinated, there was very little clumping of the red blood cells and it looked about normal when compared to the blood samples before the pork and sauerkraut were consumed.
Good news, because marinating pork takes a lot of time and work, and adding lacto-fermented sauerkraut to the pork or your plate is much easier.
PA Dutch Pork and Sauerkraut in Jo Ellen’s Kitchen
FAQ
Can you eat sauerkraut after 7 days?
How long will pork and sauerkraut last in the refrigerator?
How long is cooked sauerkraut good for in the fridge?
How long can you keep sauerkraut before it goes bad?
How long can you keep leftover pork & sauerkraut?
Leftover pork and sauerkraut can be stored in the refrigerator for 3 days and frozen for up to 3 months. Pork and sauerkraut is gluten-free, paleo, and dairy-free, making it a great meal to serve to those with dietary restrictions. If you need a faster version of this classic recipe, try out Instant Pot Pork and Sauerkraut.
How much sauerkraut is safe to eat per day?
The recommendation for daily consumption of sauerkraut is one tablespoon, if consumption exceeds the recommended dose there may be gastrointestinal symptoms such as pain, distension, diarrhea or constipation.
How long can you keep sauerkraut & pork ribs together?
It’s best to store the sauerkraut and the pork together; the liquid of the sauerkraut will ensure that the pork stays moist and tender. Stored properly, leftovers of this dish will keep for 7 days. Reheating – You can reheat leftovers of this dish either in the microwave or over medium high heat on the stove top.
Can you freeze pork & sauerkraut?
For any larger pork loin, you will want to double the amount of sauerkraut. Leftover pork and sauerkraut can be stored in the refrigerator for 3 days and frozen for up to 3 months. Pork and sauerkraut is gluten-free, paleo, and dairy-free, making it a great meal to serve to those with dietary restrictions.