Can You Freeze Pepperoni?

Pepperoni is popular as a pizza topping. Besides pizza, pepperoni can be found as part of a pasta dish and topping for salads. If you bought pepperoni, you’ll probably never use the entire content at once. If it’s getting close to their expiration date, would freezing pepperoni be possible?

Can you freeze pepperoni? Yes, you can freeze pepperoni. All you need to do is keep the pepperoni well-wrapped in cling film or place them in the freezer bag. Properly stored, pepperoni will last for up to 3 months in the freezer.

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Does Pepperoni Freeze Well?

Due to their texture, pepperoni freezes extremely well. It doesn’t require a lot of time to prepare them, which makes them ideal for freezing.

When storing pepperoni in the freezer, ensure that the container you’re keeping them in is airtight. Just a small leak could cause the pepperoni to dry out. If it’s stored properly, you can store them in the freezer for up to 3 months.

How To Freeze Pepperoni

More than likely, you will probably buy pepperoni from the grocery store. It will usually come as a pepperoni stick or in slices.

Either way, freezing them is straightforward and quick.

For unopened packages, you cannot store them in their original package. The package will eventually break or crack when frozen.

Instead, transfer the pepperoni to an airtight container or freezer bag. If using a freezer bag, press on the bag to remove any excess air before sealing it tight. Then place them into the freezer for storage.

For opened package, you’ll need to do the same as above.

How Long Can You Freeze Pepperoni?

You can freeze pepperoni for about 3 months. After that time, the pepperoni will start to deteriorate in quality.

However, the pepperoni is still safe to use. The only thing you may notice is that it has lost some of its flavors.

Cooked and sliced pepperoni that are store-bought can be stored in the fridge for up to a week. If it’s going to be longer than that, you’ll need to transfer them to the freezer.

How Do You Defrost Pepperoni?

Depending on how you stored the pepperoni, it may or may not need to be thawed.

If you’ve sliced the pepperoni before it’s frozen, defrosting is not needed. Simply remove the amount of pepperoni from the freezer and add them to your pizzas and pasta.

On the other hand, if the pepperoni has not been cut or sliced, you’ll need to thaw them first. Remove it from the freezer and let it thaw in the fridge overnight or for at least 6 hours before you use it.

How To Tell When Pepperoni Goes Bad?

If the pepperoni is stored in the freezer, and it’s been over 3 months, or you didn’t wrap them securely, it will go bad. There are a few signs to look for.

The first one is freezer burn to the pepperoni. It will become hard as a rock. It will still be safe to eat, but you will not enjoy eating it, though.

The second is the loss of flavors. The pepperoni will no longer taste as fresh as it should. More than likely, it will taste bland when you try to eat it.

If the pepperoni is stored in the fridge or at room temperature, look for dryness and mold growing on it.

If there is mold, discard the entire content. Never try to consume it as it could cause food poisoning.

Can You Refreeze Pepperoni?

You can refreeze pepperoni, only if it has been defrosted in the fridge. You can refreeze them without the texture and taste being affected.

However, avoid freezing pepperoni more than once. If it’s repeatedly frozen and thawed, it could dry out and perhaps go stale.