Pork is a popular meat that is widely used in many dishes around the world. However, there are important food safety considerations when storing pork to prevent bacterial growth. So how long can pork sit out before it needs to be put away or cooked?
How Long Can Raw Pork Sit at Room Temperature?
The USDA recommends raw pork should not sit out at room temperature for longer than 2 hours. After this time, bacteria can multiply quickly and cause foodborne illness.
Some of the bacteria that can grow on raw pork include:
- Salmonella
- E. coli
- Listeria
- Staphylococcus aureus
These bacteria cannot be killed by freezing or refrigerating the pork. Proper cooking is required to destroy them. Letting raw pork sit out too long gives these organisms time to multiply to dangerous levels that can make you sick.
What Happens if You Leave Raw Pork Out Overnight?
Leaving raw pork out on the counter or table overnight is very unsafe. Bacteria will have many hours to grow to hazardous levels.
If raw pork is left out overnight (longer than 2 hours), it is recommended you throw it away. The bacteria count by that point is so high that even cooking may not destroy all the organisms. Eating pork left out overnight puts you at risk for food poisoning.
How Long Does Raw Pork Last in the Fridge?
To maximize food safety, the USDA recommends using raw pork within:
- 3-5 days in the refrigerator
- 6-12 months in the freezer
Make sure your fridge temperature is 40°F or below. Freezer temperature should be 0°F or below.
Proper refrigeration and freezing prevent bacterial growth and keeps pork safe. But once thawed or sitting at room temperature, pork should be cooked within the recommended 2 hour timeframe.
What is the Shelf Life of Cooked Pork?
Cooked pork that has been refrigerated should be eaten or frozen within:
- 3-4 days in the fridge
- 2-3 months in the freezer
For cooked pork in the fridge, store in airtight containers to maximize freshness. Keep refrigerator at 40°F or colder.
How to Tell if Pork Has Gone Bad
Here are some signs that indicate your pork has spoiled and should be thrown out:
- Bad odor – Fresh pork has a mild pink color and smells slightly sweet.
- Grayish color – The color changes to grayish or greenish.
- Slimy texture – Pork feels sticky, tacky, or slimy.
- Mold growth – You may see fuzzy mold starting to develop.
Rancid pork has an unpleasant odor. Do not taste pork you suspect has spoiled.
What Happens if You Eat Bad Pork?
Consuming spoiled, undercooked or contaminated pork can make you very sick. Symptoms of food poisoning from bad pork include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal cramps
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Headache
- Chills
- Muscle aches
Symptoms can begin 6 hours to 3 days after eating bad pork. See a doctor if diarrhea lasts over 3 days or is accompanied by high fever, blood in stool, or dehydration.
Some dangerous infections from contaminated pork include:
- Trichinellosis – Caused by the Trichinella roundworm. Symptoms include muscle pain, fever, diarrhea.
- Toxoplasmosis – Caused by Toxoplasma gondii parasite. Flu-like symptoms are common.
- Listeriosis – From Listeria bacteria. Pregnant women are at risk of miscarriage.
- Salmonellosis – From Salmonella bacteria. Severe diarrhea, dehydration, and abdominal pain may occur.
- E. coli infection – Symptoms include bloody diarrhea, hemolytic uremic syndrome, kidney failure.
Properly handling and cooking pork reduces your risk of foodborne illnesses like these.
How to Store Pork Safely
Follow these tips for safe raw pork storage:
- Refrigerate pork within 2 hours of purchasing it. Freeze if not using within 3-5 days.
- Thaw frozen pork in the fridge, not on the counter. Allow 1 day to thaw 5 lbs of meat.
- Marinate pork in the refrigerator. Don’t leave it sitting out during marination.
- Divide large cuts into smaller portions before freezing. This allows meat to freeze faster.
- Place raw pork in sealed plastic bags or airtight containers. Don’t allow raw meat juices to drip onto other foods.
- Store pork below cooked items in the fridge. Place on bottom shelf to prevent blood from dripping downward.
- Rinse pork under cold water before cooking to remove bacteria from the surface.
How Long Does Thawed Pork Last in the Fridge?
Raw pork that has been thawed in the refrigerator can be kept for an additional 3 to 5 days before cooking or refreezing. The clock resets once the meat is thawed.
But thawed pork should not be left out at room temperature. It has the same 2 hour safety limit as fresh pork. Keep thawed meat chilled.
Can You Refreeze Thawed Pork?
Yes, thawed raw pork can be safely refrozen if it was thawed properly in the fridge. Refreezing thawed pork that was left out at room temperature can enable bacterial growth.
Follow these guidelines for refreezing pork:
- Refreeze within 3-5 days for best quality.
- Refreeze right away – don’t store thawed pork in fridge for extended times.
- Portion into smaller quantities before refreezing.
- Avoid refreezing previously frozen and thawed pork more than once.
- Use refrozen pork within 3-4 months for maximum freshness.
Refreezing thawed pork can decrease the moisture content and affect the texture after cooking. But it is safe if done properly.
Can You Cook and Refreeze Raw Pork?
Yes, you can safely cook fresh pork, refrigerate it, and freeze the leftovers. Here are some tips for freezing cooked pork:
- Let cooked pork cool fully, then package in airtight containers or freezer bags.
- Label bags with contents and date. Use cooked pork within 2-3 months for best quality.
- Freeze cooked pork in portions for easy use later. Thaw only what you need.
- Add leftover cooked pork to casseroles, stir-fries, sandwiches before freezing.
- Avoid repeated freezing and thawing. Refreeze only once for best texture.
Well-wrapped cooked pork stays fresh in the freezer for a few months. It saves time versus cooking raw pork for each meal.
Is Refrigerated Pork Safe After the Sell by Date?
Pork may still be safe to use for a short time after the sell by date if it has been properly stored in the fridge. However, quality will start declining.
- Raw pork can be used 3-5 days past the sell by date.
- Cooked pork can be kept for 3-4 days past the sell by date.
- Eat refrigerated pork as soon as possible after the sell by date.
- Rely on sight and smell rather than just the date. Discard if odor or sliminess develops.
- Pre-marinated pork has a shorter shelf life than unmarinated.
The sell by date is a general guideline, but not a food safety date. Be sure to store pork at 40°F or below and check for signs of spoilage.
Conclusion
Raw pork should only sit at room temperature for up to 2 hours before cooking or returning to the fridge. Prolonged time at room temperature allows harmful bacteria to multiply quickly and cause foodborne illness.
Cook or freeze fresh pork within 3-5 days of purchasing it. Do not leave raw pork out overnight on the counter. Refrigerate or freeze properly to extend the shelf life.
Check pork for foul odors, color changes, or sliminess that indicate it has spoiled. Following proper storage times and cooking temperatures kills bacteria and keeps pork safe to eat.