How Long Does Beef Jerky Last After Its Opened
Properly sealed and stored beef jerky can, in theory, last indefinitely. But in one case you open the package, you start the clock. Most shop-bought beef jerky instructs consumers to "eat within 3 days subsequently opening" for ultimate freshness. Information technology tin nevertheless exist expert for a few days later on, but merely if you lot seal and store it properly.
After all, the method of drying meat was developed centuries ago to extend the shelf life of meat (and the lives of the people eating information technology!). A chip of table salt here and some drying there, and now the family could survive the winter.
These days, we don't depend on jerky to continue united states alive for months on end. So, nosotros think more than about its freshness and flavour than its edibility. That's why commercial beef hasty stamps "Best By" dates instead of "Survive By" dates.
However, just because beef jerky tin last for a long fourth dimension, doesn't mean it will.
Improper packaging and storage (before or after opening) can drastically shorten its shelf life and potentially betrayal you to food-borne illness. The adept news is that you can pretty easily tell if your beef or turkey jerky is all the same good, and when it has taken a bad turn.
We'll go over how long beef hasty lasts before and after opening. Then, I'll tell y'all how to test its freshness and give you tips on how to prolong its shelf life.
Does Beefiness Jerky Become Bad?
Beefiness hasty does non spoil in the aforementioned manner that perishable foods similar eggs, milk, bread, and cheese do. If it is properly kept, information technology should last for a very long time. Though, nearly brands recommend you open their beefiness jerky inside ane year and consume it within 3 days.
The manner of jerky, meaning whether it is moist or dry, can influence how long it will last once opened. Some moist jerky will only last for a few days, while some dry jerky tin can final indefinitely.
The 2 most important factors that impact how long your hasty will final are oxygen and wet. Removing the meat's wet by drying information technology, and reducing whatever oxygen exposure by sealing it, can help keep it fresher for longer periods of fourth dimension.
Homemade beef jerky can concluding 1-2 months. But again, that depends on proper sealing and storage.
How Long Does Beef Jerky Last After Opening?
Most commercial packages of beef hasty recommend consuming the jerky "within 3 days after opening." But that is a best-past engagement, not an expiration date. It's meant for you to savour the hasty while it's the freshest. After the three-twenty-four hour period marking, its flavour and texture may kickoff to deteriorate.
In general, opened beef jerky can concluding for a week if sealed and stored properly in a cool dry place (more than on that below). Opened beefiness hasty can last a chip longer in the fridge, but that tends to make it also tough to want to consume anyway.
If you're a beef jerky lover similar me, eating it inside 3 days is usually not a problem. But sometimes life gets in the way of jerky-eating and suddenly, more than 3 days have passed! Y'all might call back "meh, information technology's probably still good" and chomp away. Y'all could exist right, merely you don't want to bite blindly into it.
Yous need to cheque information technology for freshness first…
How Tin Y'all Tell if Jerky is Still Fresh?
With commercial beef jerky, the first thing yous desire to practise is cheque the jerky package for the all-time-past date. Jerky is usually sold in an air-tight, vacuum-sealed package. Later on the drying process, companies use a vacuum sealer to remove all of the air from the bag when packing information technology and so that the jerky will stay fresh.
All beef jerky products fabricated in America have to have a all-time-by engagement printed on the package. You tin ordinarily find information technology near the lesser seal of the bundle. Some brands also include an expiration date.
If you accept an unopened package of beef hasty, then at that place should be no issue with its freshness earlier the expiration date. If the jerky is kept in that air-tight container, it should exist but fine through (and even past) the expiration date.
For homemade hasty, it's a good idea to go on it in a sealed container or a vacuum pack freezer pocketbook. Proper storage in an airtight container ensures that the jerky volition take a long shelf life.
If the hasty wasn't properly stored, or it is homemade and you want to be certain that it is still fresh, there are a few things y'all can wait for. Showtime, look for whatsoever holes or other harm to the parcel or airtight container.
Then, inspect the jerky for any signs of rancidity. That includes weird spots on the meat, odd smells, or if it feels weird in any way. If the jerky smells or looks strange, the best matter you tin do is toss it. Using your common sense and trusting your senses when inspecting the meat volition become a long manner.
When in doubt, throw it away. Fifty-fifty the all-time jerky isn't worth risking food poisoning.
The Best Way to Store Your Beef Jerky
At that place are simple ways to increase the shelf life of beef hasty. Following these vi central tips for your jerky storage should go along it fresher for longer, and give you the best results:
- Avoid any moisture
- Keep it out of directly sunlight
- Keep it in its original packaging
- Maintain a steady temperature
- Freeze it but when necessary
- Purchase from reputable companies
Avert Moisture
Jerky keeps better when stored in a dry out identify without any wet.
Avert Oxygen
Many packages come complete with an oxygen cushion to remove any excess moisture that builds upwardly in the packaging. A lack of moisture means fresh hasty (and the best flavour hasty!) for longer.
You tin also purchase oxygen absorber packs online to ensure your homemade beef jerky lasts for a long fourth dimension and resists whatsoever growth of bacteria.
Keep it Out of Direct Sunlight
Keep your open and unopened jerky in a dark pantry at normal room temperature. A dark place without direct sunlight will ho-hum bacterial growth on food, helping reduce the chance of whatever foodborne illness. It helps keep the dehydrated meat fresher for longer.
Keep it in its Original Packaging
Past storing your jerky in its original packaging, you tin help minimize its exposure to oxygen. The purse, after all, was designed to maintain freshness.
Maintain a Steady Temperature
Go on your jerky in a absurd place, but not cold. A steady room temperature is platonic: not likewise hot and not too cold. A dark pantry or chiffonier is a not bad spot for your tasty care for!
Freeze Simply When Necessary
If y'all do not anticipate eating all of your jerky earlier it expires, you lot can freeze it. However, it is not recommended that yous practise. Not simply tin it get freezer burn, but the texture, flavour, and nutritional benefits will diminish.
Buy from Reputable Companies
Finally, make certain that you buy from reputable beef jerky companies. If you're buying jerky that Joe Shmo made in his garage, y'all're taking a risk that he didn't properly dry out or parcel the hasty. That could lead to yous getting sick, or the beef hasty going bad very speedily.
If you're the Joe Shmo making beef jerky in his garage, all the power to y'all! Just be sure you buy the best beef for jerky that is fresh. The meliorate qualityand fresher the meat, the longer the entire batch volition terminal.
What Happens if You Consume Bad Meat?
If you call back you lot take eaten bad jerky, lookout for symptoms of this blazon of nutrient poisoning. It may take hours or days to develop symptoms. Symptoms can include:
- Upset Stomach
- Breadbasket Cramps
- Nausea
- Airsickness
- Diarrhea
- Fever
If you get a fever or other worsening atmospheric condition, such as bloody stool or signs of dehydration, be sure to contact your physician. That tin help you prevent whatever long-term effects or serious wellness problems from food poisoning.
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As a mom of iii little eaters, I am excited to share my beloved of cooking, smoking, and blistering with you. My honey of food started when I went to college in Berkeley, and has followed me always since! When I am not "momming," writing, or cooking, you can find me reading, traveling, or hiking.
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