How Long Do Pork Pies Keep in the Fridge? The Complete Guide

Pork pies are a delicious snack that can be enjoyed cold or at room temperature. But if you don’t eat the whole pie in one sitting, you may be wondering – how long does an unfinished pork pie keep in the fridge?

In this complete guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about pork pie fridge life so you can enjoy this savory treat without worrying about food safety

What Are Pork Pies?

For those unfamiliar, pork pies are a traditional British meat pie made with hot water crust pastry. The filling consists of roughly chopped pork and pork fat, surrounded by jellied pork stock. Pork pies come in many sizes, from individual handheld pies to large pies meant for slicing.

Traditional Melton Mowbray pork pies have a bow-shaped hand-raised crust with seasoned pork and aspic in the middle. Other types like Picnic and Mr Porky are mass-produced and don’t have the artisanal look and taste.

How Long Do Pork Pies Last in the Fridge?

The fridge life of pork pies depends on a few factors

Type of crust Hot water crust pies will last longer than shortcrust pies in the fridge. The hot crust contains a high amount of lard which helps preserve the pie Shortcrust becomes soggy more quickly
Preservatives: Mass produced pork pies contain preservatives to extend shelf life. Artisanal pies without preservatives have a shorter fridge life.
Storage method: Properly wrapped pies last longer. We recommend keeping them sealed in their original packaging or wrapping the cut pie tightly in plastic wrap.

Taking these factors into account, here are the general guidelines for pork pie fridge life:

Uncut, store-bought pie: 5-7 days
Cut, store-bought pie: 3-4 days
Uncut, homemade/artisanal pie: 3-4 days
Cut, homemade/artisanal pie: 1-2 days

For optimum freshness and flavor, try to eat refrigerated pork pies within these time frames.

Does Refrigeration Affect Pork Pies?

Yes, refrigerating pork pies can impact their texture and taste. Here’s how:

The pastry becomes soggy and soft over time in the fridge, losing its appealing crustiness.
The jelly/aspic around the meat can become runny and loose its firmness.
The flavors meld together, losing some of their distinct notes.

While refrigeration extends the shelf life, it’s best to enjoy pork pies as fresh as possible. Letting the pie come to room temperature before serving can help restore some of the original texture.

Can You Freeze Pork Pies?

Freezing is a great way to enjoy pork pies past their fridge life. Both whole and cut pork pies can be frozen for 2-3 months.

To freeze properly:

Double wrap pies in plastic wrap and foil. This prevents freezer burn.
Place in air-tight freezer bags or containers. This blocks out oxygen.
Freeze immediately after purchasing/baking. Don’t let pies sit in the fridge before freezing.
Thaw overnight in the fridge before eating. Don’t thaw at room temperature.

With proper freezing techniques, pork pies retain their texture very well. The pastry remains crisp and the jelly keeps its firmness. They can be eaten straight from the thawed state.

How to Store Pork Pies in the Fridge

To get the most fridge life out of your pork pies, follow these storage tips:

Keep stored in the original packaging or wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Air exposure dries out the pastry.
Place the wrapped pies in a sealed container or bag. This adds an extra layer to retain moisture.
Store pork pies on a lower fridge shelf. The bottom shelves tend to be the coldest, optimizing freshness.
Keep the fridge between 34-40°F. Higher temps reduce shelf life.
Avoid overcrowding the fridge. Too many items can impede air circulation.
Use pork pies within the recommended timeframe (see above). Don’t try to extend the shelf life too long.

Proper fridge storage gives you the longest usage window to enjoy pork pies safely.

How To Tell If Pork Pies Have Gone Bad

Nobody wants to bite into a pork pie only to realize it’s spoiled! Here are signs to check if your refrigerated pie has gone bad:

Mold: Mold on the crust or jelly indicates the pie should be discarded. Any mold is unsafe to eat.
Sliminess: If the jelly feels excessively sticky or slippery, this is a sign of spoilage.
Strange odors: Off smells like sourness or ammonia mean the pie has gone off.
Discoloration: Green, gray, or black areas on the crust or jelly signal spoilage.
Texture changes: If the pastry is mushy or the jelly is runny like water, the pie is past its prime.

When inspecting pork pies, trust your senses. If anything seems amiss from the look, smell or feel – play it safe and toss it out.

How to Serve Refrigerated Pork Pies

If you’ve stored pork pies in the fridge, here are some serving tips:

Remove from fridge 1 hour before eating. Letting the pie come closer to room temp improves the taste and texture.
Microwave 15-20 seconds to take off the fridge chill before serving. Check that the filling is piping hot.
Slice the pie while still slightly chilled. Clean slices are easier when cold.
If serving cold, let the slices stand at room temp 15 mins before eating so flavors open up.
Add condiments like pickle, relish or mustard to liven up the flavors after fridge storage.

With a short resting time or quick microwave, refrigerated pork pies can taste nearly as good as fresh-baked!

Safety Tips for Refrigerated Pork Pies

When storing pork pies in the fridge, follow these safety guidelines:

Never leave pies out at room temp more than 2 hours before refrigerating. Toxins can start forming.
If reheating, reheat fully until the inside reaches 165°F. Partial heating can cause bacteria growth.
Don’t let raw meat or juices drip onto stored pies. This contaminates the food.
Throw away pork pies that smell bad or look spoiled. Don’t taste test questionable pies.
Refrigerate any pie slice you don’t finish. Don’t leave it out on the counter.
Adhere to the recommended fridge life for best quality and safety. Freezing can extend the shelf life.

By keeping pork pies chilled at a food-safe temperature, you avoid the risk of foodborne illness from bacteria growth.

The Bottom Line

Pork pies have a more limited fridge life than other meats or baked goods, lasting just 3-7 days. For best results, keep them properly stored in the coldest part of the fridge in their original wrapper or an airtight container. Freeze any pies you won’t finish within the fridge life guidelines.

With the right storage and frequent monitoring for signs of spoilage, you can safely enjoy refrigerated pork pies for snacks and appetizers. Just be sure to discard them if you notice any mold, odd textures or questionable smells!

How to Freeze a Pie

FAQ

Can you eat pork pies 5 days out of date?

Use-by dates are about safety Never eat food after the use-by date, even if it looks and smells ok, as it could make you very ill. You can eat food until midnight on the use-by date shown on a product, but not after, unless the food has been cooked or frozen.

How to know if pork pie is off?

Does it smell ok? If it does, you’re fine! Trust your instincts not the label. If it smells ok I would.

How long do meat pies last in the fridge?

Cooked meat pies can generally last from three to five days in the refrigerator in an airtight container. While “generally” is often mentioned, there are plenty of other factors that will affect how long it can remain in the refrigerator.

How long does pork last in the fridge?

Put packages of raw pork in disposable plastic bags (if available) to contain any leakage which could cross contaminate cooked foods or produce. Take pork home immediately and refrigerate it at 40 °F (4.4 °C); use within 3 to 5 days or freeze (0 °F / -17.8 °C or less).

How do you store a pork pie?

1. Wrap the pork pie in parchment paper or cling film to prevent it from drying out. 2. Place the wrapped pork pie into a sealed container to keep it fresh. 3. Store the container in the fridge at a temperature of 0-5°C. 4. Make sure to consume the pork pie within five days of storing it in the fridge.

Do pork pies need to be refrigerated?

1. Keep them in the refrigerator: If you plan on eating your pork pies within 5 days, store them in the fridge. Wrap them in parchment paper and place them into a sealed container to keep them fresh. 2. Freeze them: If you want to keep your pork pies for longer than 5 days, consider freezing them.

How long do pork pies last?

When stored in the fridge, pork pies can last up to 5 days. However, it’s important to note that the pastry may start to go soft after a couple of days, especially if using a water pastry. To extend the shelf life of your pork pies, consider freezing them. Pork pies can be stored in the freezer for up to 4 months when wrapped properly.

Can pork pies be left out at room temperature?

If you need to leave your pork pies out at room temperature for a short period of time, they can be kept for up to four hours. However, it’s important to make sure the temperature of the room is not too warm. If the temperature is above 37°C, bacteria will multiply rapidly, doubling in number every 10 minutes at this temperature.