Pork chops are one of the most popular cuts of meat. They can be baked, grilled, or pan-fried to perfection.
Do you have a pork chop in your fridge? If so, you might be wondering if it’s still safe to eat. Most people cook pork chops without knowing if they’re still safe to eat.
Whether you bought the chops from the grocery store or prepared them yourself at home, knowing how to tell if pork chops are bad is important for everyone who eats meat.
Pork can go bad just like any other type of meat and cause food poisoning when eaten.
However, there are some simple ways that anyone can use to determine whether their pork has gone bad or not.
Keep reading this article to learn how to tell if your pork chops are bad, how long they last, and what signs of bad leftover pork chops to look for before eating them.
Table of Contents
How to Tell if Pork Chops Are Bad?
The easiest ways are to smell and look at pork chops for a sour smell, dull color, and slimy texture. You should discard any leftover pork chops if they have an off smell or appearance.
1. Smell It
One of the easiest ways to tell if pork chops are bad is by giving it an odor check.
A fresh pork chop will have little to no odor. If you notice that your pork chop has a strong, foul smell before cooking it, then this could be an indicator that something might not be right with it.
2. Check for Sliminess
Does your pork chop feel slimy? If so, this is another sign that it might be bad.
When meat sits for too long, bacteria can form which gives the meat an unappetizing slime-like texture.
3. Check for Excessive Moisture/Pink Liquid
If you’re cooking your pork chops by pan-frying, you can use a fork to check for excessive moisture.
A fresh pork chop will have very little pink liquid inside of it. If your pork chop is stored in the fridge or has been sitting out at room temperature for too long, this liquid will come spilling out when you poke the meat with a fork.
This could be an indicator of spoilage and it’s definitely not something you want to eat.
4. Touch the Chops
Does your pork chop feel spongy, soft, or mushy? If so, this is another warning sign that it might be bad.
Meat shouldn’t have an unusual texture when eaten. It should feel firm with a little bit of giving, but never soft or mushy.
5. Know When to Use Up Pork Chops Safely
As with any type of meat, it’s important to know the best time frame in which you should consume your pork chops at their peak freshness.
If you bought the pork chops from a grocery store or butcher shop, check for packaging or storage date.
You should also take a look at my previous article where I’ve discussed ways to tell if pork is bad. As well as, take a look at these 5 signs to know if ground pork has gone bad.
How To Store Pork Chops Properly
If you need to keep them longer than two days, you can freeze them and thaw them out right before use. Always store pork chops in the refrigerator and never at room temperature for more than two hours!
If you notice any signs of spoilage, then you should discard the pork chops immediately.
As long as you store your pork chop properly and check it thoroughly before eating, you should be able to enjoy this meat without any problems.
How Long Do Pork Chops Last?
Pork chops should be used within 3-5 days if stored properly in your fridge.
If you freeze pork chops, they will last anywhere from three to six months. After this time has passed, it’s not recommended that you eat the frozen pork chops.
However, if you keep your fresh pork chops in the freezer longer than six months, it’s better to just throw them out and buy new ones.
Signs Of Bad Leftover Pork Chops
Bad pork chops will become very hard and crumbly, which is an indicator of spoilage. Throw out any leftover pork chops if they have changed in color or texture, or if you notice a foul odor when cooking them.
If your pork chops smell bad after cooking, then this is another sign that it’s not safe to eat.
If you know your pork chops are still fresh, but they are not turning into the color that they should be when cooking them, then this could be an indicator that something might be wrong with them.
Throw away any bad pork chops right away to avoid getting sick.
Final Words
Remember to use these simple ways to tell if your pork chops are bad next time before cooking them.
Hope this article helped you out. Comment below if you enjoyed it or have any more tips that I forgot to include.
