If you enjoy Spam, you’re probably aware that it has a lengthy shelf life. But, you may be asking how to preserve Spam once it has been opened. In today’s piece, we’ve set out to address that question and others. So, let’s get started.

What Is Spam?

Spam is a pig meat product that may be used in sandwiches, quesadillas, stir fry, and other dishes. It was founded in 1937 to meet the need for low-cost beef products during the conclusion of the Great Depression. Spam is still a popular choice today, and has lately witnessed a boom in popularity as individuals seek methods to fill their cupboards with inexpensive and shelf-stable pork.

How Long Will Spam Last After Opening?

Spam will deteriorate in 2 hours if left at room temperature after opening. Recall that this isn’t only true of Spam meat, but of numerous perishable commodities including meat, eggs, cheese, and more.

Having said that, you should refrigerate your Spam after opening it. Spam, like many other foods, can eventually go bad and develop germs that may make you sick. The hazards of eating outdated or rotting Spam include foodborne disease symptoms such as:

• Flatulence
• Vomiting
• Fever of Moderate Intensity
• Diarrhea
• Cramping in the Abdomen
• Nausea

See your doctor if any of these symptoms persist for longer than a few days. In the meanwhile, stay hydrated and consume bland things until you can get back on track.

Can You Refrigerate Unused Spam?

Does Spam Need to Be Refrigerated After Opening?

While Spam is canned and has an absurdly lengthy shelf life (approximately 2-5 years after manufacture), the truth is that Spam can and will go bad if left at room temperature for too long. As a result, you will need to refrigerate your Spam.

You’ll need to do a few things to properly chill your Spam.

First and foremost, never refrigerate Spam in its original can. By not properly covering the Spam can, you enable air and debris in your fridge to damage the meat, causing it to become dry, weirdly flavored, and prone to bacteria.

Instead, we suggest keeping your Spam in an airtight container until you’re ready to consume it. Keep in mind that this method of preservation will not keep your Spam fresh permanently; nevertheless, it will keep your Spam tasting as fresh and tasty as it did when you first opened the can.

As a last option, wrap Spam securely in plastic wrap or foil before storing it in the refrigerator. Both strategies work well, however plastic wrap is likely to be more effective.

How Long Does Opened Spam Last in the Fridge?

Spam that has been opened will keep in the fridge for approximately 3-5 days. At this period, keep an eye out for any changes in texture, smell, or color. Of course, if your Spam tastes weird or objectionable, you should discard it right away.

Recall that before being opened, Spam will stay a long time on your shelf, many years to be accurate. With that stated, we recommend that you either eat your Spam immediately after opening it or freeze it to prolong its shelf-life so you don’t have to throw it out.

Later in this lesson, we will learn how to freeze your Spam so that you may enjoy it for months to come!

Does Spam Go Bad in the Fridge?

Indeed, Spam may spoil in the refrigerator.

Although it may seem that putting certain products in the fridge may keep them fresher for longer, the fact is that most items will degrade if kept in the fridge for an extended period of time. As a result, for the optimum quality, keep your Spam in the fridge for no more than 3-5 days.

If you don’t mind the flavor or texture change of Spam after these 35 days, you may safely eat open and refrigerated Spam for another 7-10 days. After that, your Spam is probably no longer edible.

Note that perishable products, such as Spam, may spoil even if kept in the fridge. Refrigerating an object does not halt decay, although it does slow it down. As a result, you should keep a watch on your Spam while it is in the refrigerator and never ingest Spam that does not look, smell, or taste right, regardless of how long it has been refrigerated.

Can You Freeze Spam After Opening?

Indeed, you can freeze Spam after you’ve opened it! In fact, if you don’t intend on devouring your Spam within a couple of days (or even if you do), this is one of the finest methods to keep it!

This is due to the fact that freezing may halt the rotting process and, in theory, keep your Spam edible eternally.

To freeze Spam, just take it from the can and store it in a freezer bag before putting it in the freezer. Nevertheless, since Spam must be sliced, we suggest slicing it into individual parts before placing it to your freezer bag in a single layer and freezing it.

What’s the reason? If you freeze your Spam in one block, it may be difficult to consume without eating the whole quantity at once. By slicing the Spam beforehand, you may extract just what you need from the freezer and preserve the remainder frozen for later.

How Long Does Spam Last in the Freezer?

Spam will keep in the freezer for approximately 2-3 months at its peak condition. Even after thawing, your Spam will continue to look, taste, and smell like fresh Spam throughout this period (assuming that you used the correct thawing methods). Nevertheless, after 2-3 months, your Spam may begin to lose its natural texture and flavour, but it should still be safe to ingest. Just maintain your freezer at 0 degrees Fahrenheit (or -18 degrees Celsius) to keep your contents frozen and fresh.

How to Thaw Spam

Most meats, including Spam, should be thawed in the refrigerator.

To do so, remove your Spam from the freezer and set it on a flat dish or plate on the lowest level shelf of your refrigerator to unthaw for at least 24 hours, or longer depending on the thickness and amount of your Spam. If you are unable to consume all of the unthawed meat, you may refreeze it if the thawed meat has not been at room temperature for more than two hours.

We do not advocate thawing your Spam at room temperature since it promotes bacterial development and increases your risk of illness.

How to Tell If Spam Is Bad After Opening

There are various methods to tell whether Spam is nasty once it has been opened.

The first step is to examine the can and the sell-by date. If it has been more than 5 years after the printed sell-by date, you should probably discard it. Moreover, if the an is bulging, dented, or has a dome-shaped top, the meat on the inside may be rotten and it is time to throw it out.

Some more apparent methods to detect whether Spam is rotten after opening is to taste, smell, and feel it. If your Spam tastes bad, has an unusual texture, or has gone brown, gray, green, or tan, it is better to discard it.

Keep in mind that not all foods that deteriorate exhibit indications of decomposition. This is why it is critical to adhere to the date imprinted on the outside of some items. Always keep your Spam as advised and never eat Spam that has been stored in a broken can.

FAQs

Storing Spam After Opening Is Easy!

Generally, storing Spam after it has been opened is a simple operation. You may either refrigerate your Spam for no more than 10 days (3-5 days for optimum quality) or freeze it, which will keep around 3 months in the freezer at best quality.

If you are unsure about the freshness of your Spam, glance over it before eating it to inspect its general texture, color, and smell.

Here are some more articles for you:

• Spam Cooking Instructions
• Microwave Sausage Cooking Instructions