Cooked pork meat reheats well and if you store it properly those leftovers will make a delicious meal for another day. The question is: how long is cooked pork good for in the fridge? Knowing the shelf life of cooked pork is just as important as following storage guidelines!
Keep in mind that how long cooked pork will last in the fridge also depends on what kind it is. Meat cuts such as pork chops, loin, ribs, and tenderloin, will have different shelf lives compared to pork roast, ham, or sausages, for example.
No need to worry, though. We’ll discuss the shelf life for all types of cooked pork, storage tips, signs of spoilage, and more!
How Long Is Cooked Pork Good For In The Fridge?
Short answer: The USDA says refrigerated cooked pork should be consumed within 3-4 days, if stored properly and kept at temperatures under 40°F.
- Cooked bacon – 4-5 days
- Cooked sausage – up to 7 days
- Pulled pork – 2-3 days
- Cooked ground pork, hamburgers – 3-4 days
- Cooked pork roast, chops, loin, tenderloin, ribs – 3-4 days
- Cooked ham – 3-4 days
These are general guidelines and there are other factors that will affect the shelf life of your cooked pork such as how long it was out and how fast it was chilled.
How Long Does Cooked Pork Last In The Freezer?
Frozen food, including cooked pork, is safe indefinitely if stored in airtight containers, or freezer bags with the air removed at 0°F or below. After a while, the quality of the meat will start to degrade, so the recommendations below take that into account.
To enjoy it at its best, frozen cooked pork should be consumed within 2-3 months.
According to the USDA, this also applies to soups, stews, and casseroles containing pork.
How Long Does Cooked Pork Roast Last After Being Frozen And Thawed?
If you thawed the cooked pork roast in the fridge, it will stay safe to eat for 3-4 more days when stored correctly in the refrigerator.
Thawing pork roast in cold water or the microwave is faster, but if you used this method it needs to be consumed right away.
How Long Can Cooked Pork Sit Out?
I highly recommend you follow USDA’s “2-hour rule” when it comes to leaving any cooked food on the counter.
Cooked pork should not be left out for over 2 hours. If the temperature is above 90°F, make sure you refrigerate cooked pork within 1 hour.
Temperatures between 40°F and 140°F are called “the danger zone” as they allow bacteria to grow quickly.
If you’re dealing with a whole pork cut, such as pork roast, it’s best to slice it into smaller portions so it cools faster.
Tip: For pulled pork, it’s easy to calculate the number of servings you need. It will help you calculate leftovers or avoid them if you’d like.
How to Store Cooked Pork
I love cooking more pork since leftovers such as pulled pork are excellent for meal prepping and work for a variety of recipes.
Cooked pork leftovers can be a fantastic start to a quick meal I highly appreciate on a busy weekday! I like to brush day old pork chops with olive oil and sprinkle Pulled Pork Rub on it and then heat it up in my air fryer. Delish!
In The Fridge
The key to properly refrigerating cooked food is to seal it so exposure to oxygen and moisture is minimized.
Here’s how to store cooked pork in the fridge:
- Let the cooked pork cool down to room temperature. Do not leave it out for more than 2 hours, though.
- If you wanted to split it into smaller portions now is the time to do it as it will help it cool faster.
- Wrap the cooked pork tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil (freezer paper also works).
- Place the wrapped pork leftovers in airtight containers.
- Transfer the containers to the coldest area of your fridge. It’s usually the back of the lower shelf. That spot will keep the cooked pork safe from the temperature changes that occur when you open the refrigerator door.
In The Freezer
When you’re not able to eat leftovers within 3-4 days, you should freeze cooked pork. If you do it right, you’ll have 2-3 months to consume it before its quality starts to degrade.
To freeze cooked pork, you have some options to choose from:
Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place it in an airtight container.
You can skip the wrapping if you’re using a heavy-duty freezer bag or a vacuum-sealed bag.
Any of these methods will keep the cooked pork fresh for 2-3 months and prevent freezer burns.
Tip: Wondering how to freeze pulled pork? There are some tricks you’ll need to use for the meat to stay flavorful and juicy even after thawing and reheating so read our guide to get all the details!
How To Thaw Frozen Cooked Pork
The safest way to thaw frozen cooked pork is in the refrigerator. This takes time, though, and is best done overnight.
If you use this approach, the pork leftovers will stay safe to eat for an additional 3-4 days in the fridge.
When you’re in a rush you can also place the bag of frozen cooked pork in a bowl of color water, or use the microwave on the defrost setting.
For any of these methods, the thawed cooked pork should be reheated and consumed right away so make sure you only thaw as much as you can eat.
How To Tell If Cooked Pork Has Gone Bad?
When deciding if the meat is still good, it’s not just about knowing how long is cooked pork good for in the fridge.
Sometimes, cooked food can go bad faster and it’s a good idea to check it before you eat it even if it’s still within the recommended time frame.
Consuming spoiled meat can lead to unpleasant food poisoning symptoms, and depending on the severity, they can be extremely dangerous.
These signs will tell you if your cooked pork is still safe to eat:
- Slimy or slippery texture
- Sour or off-putting smell
- Color changes – Gray and brown spots are a sure sign the cooked pork should be discarded. You might see other shades such as blue or green and all of them are a sign of spoilage.
- Freezer burns – Frozen cooked pork can develop freezer burns. They don’t pose a health risk but the leftovers won’t be as enjoyable.
Note: If you’re wondering if cooked pork can be pink, the answer is yes! Even if it’s well done, pork meat may still have a pink shade and that’s ok.
Factors like cooking time and temperature, the cut of meat, whether it was cured or not, and some spices can cause pink cooked meat.
F.A.Q.
Cooked pork and any other cooked food shouldn’t be left at room temperature for over 2 hours (or 1 hour if the temperature is above 90°F).
Cooked pork left out overnight should be discarded. Keep it mind that reheating it won’t make it safe to eat.
No, pork kept in the fridge for 6 days is no longer safe to eat unless it’s in a store-bought sealed package with a date printed on the label.
In general, cooked pork stays safe to eat for 3-4 days in the fridge. If it was refrigerated fast and wrapped tightly, it might last up to 5 days.
At the 6-day mark, your cooked pork should not be consumed, even if it looks good.
Yes! You can reheat refrigerated or frozen and thawed cooked pork. There are several methods to choose from and I recommend you use the one that works best for the type of pork you cooked.
The stovetop, oven, microwave, air fryer, and slow cooker can reheat your cooked pork flawlessly. However, make sure it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F so it’s safe to eat.
Read our guides if you need to know how to reheat ribs, pulled pork, or burgers so they taste fresh!
It depends on how long the pork leftovers were kept in the fridge. If they’ve already been stored for 3-4 days, you should eat the reheated cooked pork immediately.
If you reheated it after 1 day in the fridge you can wrap the leftovers and keep them in the refrigerator for a few more days.
Like any other uncooked meat, raw pork will stay fresh in the fridge for 3-5 days. This applies to any pork cut except ground pork meat, which stays safe to eat for 1-2 days in the fridge.
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Jason’s been firing up the grill for over 30 years after graduating from the US Coast Guard Academy. His love of finely-grilled steak and chicken led him to buy his first Weber grill to put on his apartment patio in 1992. Each military move led to a new grill (a mixture of gas and charcoal) until he fell in love with the Big Green Egg in 2008. Since then, he has added another 4 grills to the collection. Yes, he has a problem. Jason loves smoking in the ceramic BGE with exotic woods including olive wood from Egypt and hard to find varieties such as sassafras and orange wood. Jason takes the term “foodie” to a whole new level, jumping at the chance to take food tours and cooking classes during foreign travels. These have provided inspiration to incorporate new ideas into recipes when he gets back home. He has been featured in Fox News, Parade, Yahoo News, Kansas City Living and more. After retiring from the military and moving to southwest Florida, he has focused grilling and smoking locally sourced meats and fish (read: he likes to catch his own fish!)
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