Pork is one of the most popular types of meat in the work. If you cooked a lot of pork for dinner, whether it’s on the grill or the stovetop, you may end up with some leftovers. If you have leftovers, you will want to store them to eat later. Would freezing cooked pork be an option?
Can you freeze cooked pork? Yes, you can freeze cooked pork, and they freeze extremely well. You can freeze the pork of any cut. Cooked pork will need to be wrapped with foil or cling film and then place into a freezer bag. This will ensure no air can get through and cause freezer burn to the pork. Properly stored, cooked pork will last for around 3 months.
Do Cooked Pork Freeze Well?
Cooked pork freezes very well if it’s properly stored. It can last for up to 3 months in the freezer.
Make sure to keep the cooked pork in an airtight container so that no air can get through. If just a small amount of air gets in, the pork will dry out.
How To Freeze Cooked Pork
When it comes to freezing cooked pork, it’s much different from freezing fresh pork. Unlike fresh pork, cooked pork tends to no last very long when stored in the freezer.
However, freezing cooked pork is not difficult and simple to do.
Below are the steps to freezing cooked pork:
Step 1: Allow to Cool
After the pork is cooked, allow them to cool down before preparing them for the freezer. It’s not advisable to place the pork in the freezer while it’s still hot or warm. Doing so will cause condensation to form in the storage container. Moisture from the condensation will damage the pork during freezing.
Avoid leaving the pork to cool on the countertop for too long. Doing so will allow harmful bacteria to start growing on the surface of the pork. As soon as it’s cooled, which is about 10-15 minutes, quickly prepare them for the freezer.
Step 2: Separate Into Portions
After the pork is cooled down, you will want to separate them into portions. This will avoid having to defrost it as a whole.
On the other hand, if you’re planning to use the pork to make a large meal later, you can place them all in one large freezer bag.
Step 3: Wrap Them
Use cling film or aluminum foil to wrap the cooked pork. You can wrap each pork individually or in portions. They will provide extra protection while it’s frozen.
Step 4: Place In Freezer Bag
After all the cooked pork is wrapped, place them into the freezer bag.
Once it’s in the bag, gently press on the bag to remove any excess air and seal it tightly.
Step 5. Label and Freeze
With a marker, write the date of freezing on the freezer bag. Then place them into the freezer for storage.
How Long Can You Freeze Cooked Pork?
You can freeze cooked pork for up to 3 months. After that time, the quality of the pork will start to slowly decrease. The longer it’s in the freezer, the more the texture and taste will deteriorate.
However, the pork will still be safe to consume, but it will not taste as good as it should. More than likely, the texture of the meat will be hard, and it will lose some or all of its flavor.
If you intend to keep pork stored in the freezer for longer than 3 months, it’s better to freeze fresh pork. You can store fresh pork in the freezer for up to 6 months.
How Do You Defrost Cooked Pork?
The best method to defrosting cooked pork is to use the refrigerator. This will allow the meat to thaw with little changes to the texture and taste.
Remove them from the freezer and place them onto a plate to avoid melted water running down your fridge. Then leave it in the fridge overnight to thaw.
Do not allow the cooked pork to thaw on the countertop, as it could be contaminated with harmful bacteria.
Can You Refreeze Cooked Pork?
I would advise against refreezing cooked pork. When the pork goes through the process of freezing and thawing multiple times, the texture will change greatly.
After freezing cooked pork again, the meat will become hard and there will be a loss in flavors.
Therefore, it’s best to freeze cooked pork in portions. This way, you will only need to remove what you need from the freezer without worrying have to refreeze any leftovers.
Other Questions about Cooked Pork
Can you freeze cooked pork chops?
Yes, you can freeze cooked pork chops. The method of freezing it is the same as cooked pork above. Any cut of pork will freeze well if it’s properly stored.