How to Freeze Spam in 6 Steps (How You Freeze Spam Matters)

Though some individuals have different views on Spam’s taste, it is still one of the most widely consumed processed meats available. For some, though, a can of Spam is too much for one sitting. If you’re wondering how to freeze Spam after opening it, here’s your solution.

To freeze Spam, cut the leftovers into slices no more than one inch thick, and wrap them in backing paper. Then, wrap the pieces again in clingwrap or plastic wrap. Once covered, place them in a freezer bag and label the bag with the current date. Put the freezer bag into the freezer for up to six months.

Keep reading for more information on how to store and freeze Spam properly and how to thaw frozen Spam.

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Can you freeze Spam?

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.

You can freeze Spam for up to six months before it goes bad. Leftover Spam can be wrapped in parchment paper and plastic wrap inside a freezer bag and then placed in the freezer. Frozen Spam lasts six months on average.

In the freezer, your Spam would stay fresh for months. It won’t last as long as vegetables, but it is better than keeping it in the fridge.

In the fridge, expect your processed meat to last 3 to 4 days.

So, if you have leftover Spam, don’t throw it away! Put the Spam in the freezer and keep it fresh for months. 

A handy tip: Don’t put Spam in the freezer without wrapping it. This can cause freezer burn and rotten odors and is a health hazard.

Does Spam freeze well?

Yep, but you have to freeze it correctly. When you freeze your leftover Spam correctly, it will last longer.

Spam freezes well if it’s stored correctly. Wrap it in one layer of parchment paper and one layer of plastic wrap before putting it in a freezer bag and then the freezer.

Spam left in the freezer stays fresher longer because of the reduced spoilage time. Freezing helps deactivate bacteria and other microorganisms responsible for its spoilage. 

A handy tip: Although Spam lasts long in the freezer, you should use whatever is left once it’s thawed. Spam will only remain fresh for a few days once defrosted. Do not re-freeze it.

How do you store Spam after opening it?

You can store leftover Spam in two ways. It all depends on when you plan to use the leftover Spam. Here’s your answer for how to preserve Spam after opening it.

To store Spam, put it in the freezer or fridge. If you plan to use the Spam in longer than 4 days, keeping it in the freezer is best to reduce spoilage. If you plan to use it within 3 or 4 days, store your Spam in the refrigerator. 

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.

Do not store leftover Spam in the pantry.

How long does Spam last in the freezer?

Freezing is the best and safest way to store foods for a long period. Your food items can last in the freezer for months when stored properly.

Spam lasts up to six months in the freezer because it is processed and retains its freshness longer than other meats. Ideally, you should use Spam within three months of freezing it for maximum freshness.

Like other meats, spam lasts longer in the freezer than in the refrigerator.

If you plan to consume your Spam within a few days, storing it in the fridge is okay. 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. 

Store your unopened Spam in a dry cupboard at room temperature, not exceeding 75°F.

A handy tip: An unopened can of 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. 

How long does Spam last in the fridge?

A can of Spam will last for years, but an open can won’t last longer than a few days inside the fridge. How long can you keep opened Spam in the fridge?

An open can of Spam lasts three to four days in the fridge. Store the Spam in the freezer to make it last longer after opening it.

Like most meats, Spam doesn’t last very long in the fridge. Bacteria grows on meat and other foods inside the fridge.

Store it in the freezer to reduce spoilage and keep your Spam fresher for longer.

How to freeze Spam after opening it

You can store Spam in the refrigerator or freezer after opening it. Keep it in the freezer if you want to store it for more than four days. How do you freeze Spam after opening it?

Freezing Spam after opening it is easy. Follow these steps below to freeze your Spam and keep it fresher for longer. 

1. Cut the Spam into slices

You can store a whole can of Spam in the freezer, but slicing the meat into smaller portions is more convenient for thawing and saves space.

Cut the Spam into slices no more than one inch thick. You can cut thicker slices if necessary, but thinner pieces thaw easier when you need them and save more room in the freezer. Plus, you won’t have to thaw all of the Spam at once if you don’t want to.

2. Wrap the slices in one layer of baking paper

Before you do anything else with your Spam slices, wrap them in baking paper, also known as parchment paper.

This layer of protection will help the Spam stay fresher for longer, as it works to retain moisture and lessens the harshness of freezer burn.

3. Wrap them in a layer of clingwrap or plastic wrap

Once they’re wrapped in parchment paper, wrap them again, this time with plastic wrap.

This second layer of protection will keep the parchment paper in place and increase freshness, making your frozen Spam last for up to six months.

4. 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. 

5. 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.

6. Put the freezer bags into the freezer

Now that you have the sliced Spam 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 is. 

Putting the freezer bags together will also help you create space for other items. 

How to thaw frozen Spam

You can thaw your frozen Spam in a couple of different ways.

To thaw frozen Spam, leave it in the fridge overnight to keep it at a steady temperature while it defrosts. You can also place the frozen freezer bag of Spam into a bowl of warm water. You can thaw frozen Spam in the microwave, but it will ruin the texture.

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 at room temperature.

Keep in mind that the Spam should remain in the container or freezer bag when thawing it. Also, remember that you should cook any spam that you thaw before placing it back into the freezer.

If you’re wondering, “Can spam be eaten raw?” no, it can not. Raw meat is a serious food safety hazard.

How to tell if Spam has gone bad

It’s relatively easy to tell if Spam has gone bad. You can check right away just by looking at it.

To tell if Spam has gone bad, look for color abnormalities, rotten odors, and off-tastes. If the Spam looks dull and slimy, smells odd, or has an off-taste, it’s likely bad. Throw the Spam away if you suspect it has gone bad.

If mold grows on your Spam, it has spoiled and needs to be discarded. Consuming such processed meat can get you into trouble health-wise. 

Spam opened and promptly stored in the fridge lasts a few days, whereas frozen Spam can last six months.

After consuming or adding it to your foods, the Spam’s flavor will tell you if it’s bad and unpalatable. Strange flavors are apparent 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 normally 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. 

Summary of How to freeze Spam

Spam freezes well if stored in parchment paper, plastic wrap, and a freezer bag.

When kept in the fridge, leftover Spam can retain its best quality for 3 to 4 days. Your Spam can remain fresh and eatable for up to six months when kept in the freezer. 

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 or warm water bowl.

Don’t thaw Spam at room temperature.