Beef Jerky Vacuum Packed Shelf Life
And then you've bought a pack of beef jerky, eager to taste what a few of your friends have been talking well-nigh. And it didn't disappoint.
Only while you actually liked information technology, you're not much of a meat-eater. Thus you expect it will accept some time until you stop the bundle. Does jerky get bad?
Or maybe you've stocked up on jerky on a sale, and now you're wondering how long will all of that meat last. And since a few of the packages were only a month or ii from the date on the label, you're thinking about freezing them, merely yous're non sure if it'south a skilful idea.
If y'all're only starting out your journey with jerky, information technology's probably best if you larn a thing or two near its storage, shelf life, and going bad. Or whether or non freezing it makes sense. If that's what you're looking for, this article is for you.
How to Shop Jerky
Jerky is lean meat that's been stale to extend its shelf life. While beef jerky is the most popular variety, the meat could exist anything from beef to turkey.
The drying process usually includes salting the meat to draw out moisture and preserve the product. And lack of water and a adequately high level of salt mean the meat doesn't spoil that easily. Nevertheless, storing jerky isn't as uncomplicated as keeping the packet in the pantry until you finish it.
Allow'southward start with store-bought hasty. The parcel usually is either vacuum-sealed or nitrogen-flushed (like a bag of snack chips). Either way, in that location's very little to no oxygen in the container, so the jerky is quite prophylactic from spoilage. As long every bit the pack is unopened, y'all can keep it in a night and cool place, similar the pantry or a kitchen cabinet.
Once you lot open up information technology, things become a bit more than interesting. Start of all, if it's not a resealable bag, you should transfer the jerky to ane, or in an closed container. No thing where you put the meat, it should exist protected from the outside earth and not accept admission to fresh air.
Some producers add together more than preservatives to their jerky, and if that'southward the case, you tin can continue to proceed the handbag or container at room temperature for a week or two. Others, mainly those who employ little to no preservatives (also salt, of form), frequently inform on the label that you should air-condition their hasty upon opening.
In short, e'er cheque the label to make sure if you tin can exit information technology in the pantry. Of course, the jerky will retain freshness and concluding a bit longer if yous refrigerate it.
When it comes to homemade jerky, how you shop information technology depends on how you packaged information technology. If you vacuum-sealed it or used an oxygen cushion, storing the hasty in the pantry is perfectly okay. But if y'all've just put it in an closed container after preparing, information technology will last only about a week in the pantry, and so going for the refrigerator right away is probably a better selection.
Tin Yous Freeze Hasty?
Freezing jerky slightly alters the gustatory modality of the dehydrated meat, so some experts don't recommend it. At the end of the day, it all a matter of personal preference, then y'all won't know for sure until you test it out for yourself.
When it comes to shop-bought hasty that's unopened, don't freeze it unless you really accept to. Information technology commonly has quite a long shelf life, and fifty-fifty if you open it near the date on the label or slightly past, it should exist perfectly fine.
But if you've opened the bundle, or information technology's bootleg jerky that'southward not vacuum sealed, freezing is the way to become to extend its shelf life.
When freezing jerky, like with freezing pretty much whatever nutrient, you need to protect the meat from the low temperature. To do that, you can use a freezer purse, an airtight container, or double-wrap the meat with aluminum foil.
Going with a resealable freezer bag seems to exist the best method because it's environment-friendly and takes the least space in the freezer. Generally, freezer numberless are super useful if freezer space comes at a premium in your household.
Thaw the meat in the refrigerator overnight.
How Long Does Jerky Last
Commercially-packaged jerky keeps fresh about 12 months. A package commonly comes with a all-time-by engagement, and that'southward a keen starting point. As long as you continue the parcel unopened, the meat should stay in acme quality for some time past that engagement, maybe a calendar month or ii. Or longer, if it's loaded with preservatives.
Once yous open up the package, its shelf life depends on the number of preservatives added. Simply if you're looking for a safe gauge, 1 to two weeks in the pantry and 3 to 4 weeks in the fridge seem reasonable.
When it comes to homemade jerky, it all depends on whether y'all vacuum-seal the package or not. If so, you can expect the meat to last most i to ii months in the pantry and fifty-fifty more than in the fridge. If not, 1 to 2 weeks at room temperature and most a calendar month in the fridge are realistic estimates.
| Pantry | Refrigerator | |
|---|---|---|
| Shop-bought jerky (unopened) | All-time-exist + 1 calendar month | |
| Shop-bought jerky (opened) | 1 – two weeks | 1 calendar month |
| Homemade jerky (vacuum-sealed) | 1 – 2 months | 4+ months |
| Bootleg jerky (opened) | i – 2 weeks | i month |
Please note the periods above are estimates only.
How To Tell If Jerky Has Gone Bad
If you didn't shop jerky properly, and wet got inside the bag, sooner or later at that place volition be some furry things growing or dark specs on the surface. If that's the case, discard the snack. Aforementioned thing if it has become super difficult or adult an off smell.
Color and/or texture changes signal that the quality of the meat is degrading quite fast. But these aren't necessarily signs of spoilage. It's pretty much up to you lot to decide if the jerky is good enough to swallow or non. And when in dubiety, throw it out.
Same if yous already store the dehydrated meat for way longer than you lot should have.
Source: https://www.doesitgobad.com/jerky-go-bad/
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