Though some individuals have different views on Spam’s taste, it is still one of the most widely consumed processed meats available.
Spam is canned food, and thus, we expect it to last for a long period. But then, what happens when you open the can and can’t finish the meat at once? Will you consider the option of throwing the leftover Spam away?
Of course, that won’t be an option. If so, is it possible to freeze Spam, and how long will it last? Read to learn more about storing Spam in the freezer.
Does Spam Freeze Well?
Yes, Spam freezes well. But you have to get the freezing right.
When you freeze your leftover Spam correctly, it will last longer. Remember to put leftover Spam in the freezer and not the fridge. Microbial activities that lead to spoilage won’t stop for long when you put your Spam in the fridge.
Spam left in the freezer stays long because of the crippled microbial activities. Freezing helps deactivate yeast, bacteria, and other microorganisms responsible for its spoilage.
A Handy Tip: Endeavor to finish any Spam you thaw. Spam will only remain fresh for a few days once defrosted.
Can You Freeze Spam After Opening?
Of course, you can put Spam in the freezer after opening it. Freezing leftover Spam is the best way to preserve it. But keep in mind that Spam would stay longer in the freezer than when left in the fridge.
In the freezer, your Spam would stay fresh for months. But in the fridge, expect your processed meat to last for 3 to 4 days.
So, if you have leftover Spam, please don’t throw it away! Put the Spam in the freezer, as it would stay fresh for months.
A Handy Tip: It’s not advisable to directly put Spam in the freezer. Expect freezer burn or rotten smell oozing out from your freezer if you do this.
How Do You Store Leftover Spam?
You can store leftover Spam in two ways. You can either decide to keep it in the freezer or fridge. It all depends on when you plan to use the leftover Spam.
If you plan to use the Spam in a month, keeping it in the freezer would be best. But if you plan to use it within 3 or 4 days, you can consider storing your Spam in the refrigerator.
Do not leave leftover Spam in the pantry. Additionally, don’t freeze leftover Spam directly. You have to transfer the processed meat from the can to a freezer bag. And the bag should be sealable too.
How Long Does Spam Last in The Freezer?
Freezing is the best way to store foods for a long period. Your food items can last in the freezer for months when stored properly.
So, if you follow the instructions and tips on preserving leftover Spam in the freezer, your Spam will retain its best quality for approximately 3 months.
In other words, your leftover Spam can remain fresh in the freezer for up to 3 months.
If you plan to consume your Spam within a week or a few days, storing it in the fridge would be the best option. Why? The reason is that thawing can be super tedious. So what’s the point in freezing something you would need within a few days?
Remember that Spam can retain its best quality when stored in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
However, if you plan to use leftover Spam in the next one or two months, put it in the freezer.
A Handy Tip: An unopened Spam can retain its quality for 2 to 5 years when kept in the pantry. You don’t even have to store it in the freezer or fridge. Chemicals and preservatives help to keep the meat fresh.
Please, endeavor to store your unopened Spam in a dry cupboard where the temperature doesn’t exceed 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
How To Freeze Spam?
You can store your leftover or opened Spam in two ways. You can put the processed meat in the freezer or fridge.
But then, be reminded that it’s not advisable to store processed meat at room temperature. So, avoid storing your Spam in the fridge if you can. The freezer is the best place to store your leftover Spam.
So, how do you store Spam in the freezer? Follow the steps below.
Step#1: Divide the Spam
You can store a whole Spam in the freezer. But slicing the meat into smaller portions is the best option. Why? You won’t have to thaw a huge chunk of meat whenever you want to use part of the leftover Spam.
Step#2: Get your freezer bag prepared
Now, how do you prepare your freezer bag? It is quite simple. Line the inside of the bag with wax paper. This way, you’ll prevent the meat from sticking together or to the freezer bag.
Endeavor to use a sealable freezer bag. Remember sealing the meat will help extend its storage time in the freezer.
Step#3: Put sliced Spam into freezer bags
Now, start putting the sliced Spam into the freezer bag. And remember to avoid overstuffing your freezer bag.
Just put about 3 or 4 slices for each bag, as this will ensure you don’t thaw a bunch of frozen Spam you might not finish using at once.
Step#4: Label freezer bags clearly
Don’t forget to label your freezer bags before sending them to the freezer. It’s easier for people to lose track of items stored in the freezer. But one look at the date will help you remember how much time a Spam bag has left before you can no longer consume it.
So, label your bags. Put the freezing date and item stored in the bag. You may also decide to note how many pieces of Spam you have in each bag.
Step#5: Transfer the freezer bags to the freezer
Now that you have the sliced Spam arranged in the freezer bag, it’s time to start arranging the bags in the freezer.
You can consider placing the bags on top of each other to make it easier to identify where your stored Spam canned meats are.
Putting the freezer bags together will also help you create space for other items.
How To Thaw Spam?
You can thaw your frozen Spam in several ways. You can decide to thaw it in the microwave or leave it in the refrigerator overnight to thaw.
Now, which method of thawing Spam is the best option? That would be to leave the Spam in the refrigerator to thaw overnight.
Never allow Spam or any processed meat to thaw under room temperature. You should also avoid thawing your Spam in the microwave.
A Handy Tip: Another way to thaw Spam if you can’t wait for it to thaw overnight in the refrigerator or probably forget is this; put cold water in a bowl or the sink and drop the Spam there. But please, don’t forget to change the water every 30 minutes.
Again, keep in mind that the Spam should remain in the container or freezer bag when thawing it.
How To Tell If Spam Has Gone Bad?
It is not that difficult to tell what the condition of a Spam is. You can identify a Spam that has gone bad via visual analysis.
So, using your eyes, check the Spam’s appearance. Has it changed color or appearance? If that’s the case, your Spam has gone bad.
Another thing to consider is mold. If there’s mold growing on your Spam, it has spoilt and needs to be discarded. Consuming such processed meat can get you into trouble health-wise.
After consuming or adding it to your foods, the Spam’s flavor will tell you if it’s bad and unpalatable to eat. Strange flavors are obvious signs the meat is unsuitable for consumption, and it’s easier to know if the flavor has changed if you’re familiar with how Spam originally tastes.
The smell of the processed meat will also give you a clue. Do you perceive any off-odor oozing out from the meat? If that’s the case, you need to discard the Spam immediately.
It is important to store Spam the correct way. Follow the instructions in this post, and you can store your Spam in the freezer for months.
Conclusion: Can you freeze Spam?
Yes, you can. Spam freezes well too. When stored properly, leftover Spam can retain its best quality in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. But when kept in the freezer, your Spam can remain fresh and eatable for 3 months.
So, the two ways to store Spam are in the freezer or fridge. But the former stores the processed meat longer.
You can thaw your Spam in several ways. You can leave it in the refrigerator overnight or thaw the processed meat in a microwave.
However, the best option is to leave the meat to thaw overnight in a refrigerator. Don’t thaw Spam at room temperature too.
