How to store Pork
In the fridge: 3 days
In the freezer: 240 days
Store raw pork on the bottom shelf of the fridge in a sealed container or its original tray on a plate, below 4°C. Cured and smoked products (bacon, ham, sausage) can go on a higher shelf in their original sealed packaging. Freeze the day you buy raw pork if you won't cook within 3–5 days; vacuum-sealing extends frozen quality significantly. Thaw in the fridge overnight, never on the counter. Cooked pork goes in a sealed container within 2 hours.
How to store it
- Bottom shelf in a sealed container
- Below 4°C
- Cured products in original sealed packaging higher in fridge
- Freeze the day of purchase if not cooking within 3–5 days
- Thaw overnight in fridge
Signs it has gone bad
- Sour, ammonia, or sulfurous smell
- Sticky or slimy surface
- Greenish or grey-tinged color (not just normal browning)
- Slime when rinsed
Signs it has gone bad
How long does raw pork last in the fridge?
Raw pork lasts 3–5 days at or below 4°C; ground pork only 1–2 days. Cure or freeze if you won't cook in time.
How long does cooked pork last?
Cooked pork keeps 3–4 days in a sealed container in the fridge. Reheat thoroughly before eating.
Can you freeze pork?
Yes — whole cuts 4–6 months, ground 3–4 months. Vacuum-seal or wrap tightly. Thaw in the fridge overnight.