ShelfLife
How long does pork last in the fridge?
Raw pork chops, roasts, tenderloin and shoulder keep 3 to 5 days in the fridge after you buy them. Ground pork keeps only 1 to 2 days. In the freezer, whole cuts keep 4 to 12 months and ground pork 3 to 4 months.
| Food | Fridge | Freezer |
|---|---|---|
| Pork chops | 3–5 daysfrom purchase | 4–12 monthsfrom purchase |
| Pork loin roast | 3–5 daysfrom purchase | 4–12 monthsfrom purchase |
| Pork tenderloin | 3–5 daysfrom purchase | 4–12 monthsfrom purchase |
| Pork shoulder | 3–5 daysfrom purchase | 4–12 monthsfrom purchase |
| Ground pork | 1–2 daysfrom purchase | 3–4 monthsfrom purchase |
Fridge at 4 °C (40 °F) or colder, freezer at −18 °C (0 °F). Freezer times are for best quality: food kept frozen stays safe, but slowly loses taste and texture. These times are USDA guidance, not a guarantee. When in doubt, throw it out.
How to tell if pork has gone bad
- A sour, ammonia or rotten smell.
- A slimy or sticky surface.
- Gray, green or yellowish color instead of pale pink, or any mold.
- More than 5 days in the fridge for whole cuts, or 2 days for ground pork.
How to store pork
- Keep raw pork in its package on the bottom shelf of the fridge, on a plate.
- Cook or freeze whole cuts within 3 to 5 days and ground pork within 1 to 2 days.
- Keep raw pork away from food that won't be cooked, and wash hands, boards and knives after handling it.
- Refrigerate cooked pork within 2 hours and eat it within 3 to 4 days.
Can you freeze pork?
Yes. Chops, roasts and tenderloin keep their best quality for 4 to 12 months; ground pork for 3 to 4 months. Wrap the meat tightly or vacuum-seal it to avoid freezer burn, and freeze chops individually so you can take out just what you need. Thaw in the fridge and cook within 3 to 5 days, or 1 to 2 days for ground pork.
Questions
What temperature should pork be cooked to?
63 °C (145 °F) for chops, roasts and tenderloin, followed by a 3-minute rest; the center can still be slightly pink. Ground pork needs 71 °C (160 °F).
How long does cooked pork last?
3 to 4 days in the fridge, and 2 to 3 months in the freezer.
Can you eat pork after the sell-by date?
Go by the day you bought it: 3 to 5 days for whole cuts, 1 to 2 days for ground pork. If it smells off or feels slimy, throw it out whatever the label says.
Add pork to ShelfLife when you buy it, and get a reminder before it has to be cooked or frozen.
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Storage times: USDA FoodKeeper (Food Safety and Inspection Service), public domain. Text by ShelfLife.