How Long Is Spam Last in Fridge - Will Spam Expire?

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Known for having a long shelf life, spam is a common canned meat. What occurs, though, if you open the can and put it in the refrigerator? How long does Spam keep in the fridge before it starts to spoil?

Remaining Spam can be stored for up to 5-7 days in the refrigerator if it is properly wrapped in plastic wrap or sealed in an airtight container.

Keeping Spam fresh for as long as possible requires proper storage, so let’s examine its shelf life in the refrigerator in more detail.

Table of Contents

What is Spam?

How Long Is Spam Last in Fridge - Will Spam Expire?

The Hormel Food Corporation’s Jay Hormel introduced SPAM, or Special Processed American Meat, in the late 1920s. The purpose of this luncheon meat is as a survival food. It is prepared with pork shoulder, spiced ham, water, salt, sugar, potato starch, and preservatives like sodium nitrate.

In the modern era, you can purchase various types of spam in any grocery store, including Classic Spam, also known as Spam Classic, Spam Lite, Spam Less Sodium, and Spam With Real Bacon. There are also flavors like Spam Oven Roasted Turkey, Spam Hickory Smoke, Spam Hot and Spicy, Spam Jalapeño, Spam Teriyaki, and Spam With Tocino, which is made with pork and spiced ham.

How Long is Spam Good for in the Fridge?

Due to its high salt and preservative content, Spam is generally safe to store in the refrigerator for up to 3 months after the “best by” or “sell by” date on the can.

Spam must be put in an airtight container or completely wrapped in plastic before being stored in the refrigerator. It’s crucial to keep the product separate from other foods and keep an eye out for deterioration.

The item needs to be thrown away if it has been at room temperature for more than two hours.

For maximum freshness and flavor, it is best to consume it within five to seven days of opening.

Spam can indeed be frozen. Wrap the Spam in plastic wrap firmly or put it in an airtight container to freeze.

After that, freeze the Spam that has been wrapped. In the freezer, it ought to keep for up to six months. Prior to cooking, be sure to let the Spam thaw in the fridge. This will keep its flavor and texture intact.

Does Spam Expire?

There is no expiration date for spam. It has a “best-by” date instead.

It is still safe to eat, but since the quality can deteriorate with time, it is advised to do so before the expiration date.

Use Spam within three to four months of purchase, and store it in a cool, dry place for best results.

Are There Any Health Risks Associated With Eating Expired Spam?

How long does spam keep in the fridge is crucial information. There are some health risks associated with eating Spam or other food that has gone bad. Eating Spam that has gone bad increases your chance of contracting a foodborne illness from bacteria like listeria, botulism, or salmonella. These may result in symptoms like fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps.

Given that it can be fatal, botulism is a major cause for concern. The bacterium Clostridium botulinum, which can grow in canned foods that have been improperly processed or stored, produces a toxin that is responsible for this uncommon but serious illness. Botulism symptoms include weakness in the muscles, double vision, and difficulty swallowing or speaking.

Spam is perishable and can go bad if not stored properly, despite being shelf-stable and having a long shelf life. Always check the expiration date, look for signs of spoilage, and use proper food safety procedures when handling and preparing Spam or any other food to lower the risk of contracting a foodborne illness. It’s crucial to get medical help if you suspect you may have eaten Spam that is past its expiration date or has become spoiled.

Can You Eat Spoiled Spam Or Old Spam?

While you can eat old spam or ones that go beyond their “best by” date, you should never eat spoiled spam. Food becomes bad when bacteria are introduced to it. You risk contracting food poisoning if you consume spoiled spam or any other canned ham or luncheon meat.

How Long Does Spam Last in the Fridge?

The container of Spam will have an expiration date or a “best-by” date on it. It is a good idea to keep track of these dates so you can consume the Spam before it starts to spoil or, in the case of a “best-by” date, before it starts to lose its best qualities.

The dates won’t matter much once the Spam has been opened, though, if it is still within these time frames.

You cannot rely on these dates any longer because the Spam will start to lose quality much more quickly once it is opened.

Spam must be stored in the refrigerator after being opened. The manufacturers advise against storing it in the refrigerator for more than five days to be safe, but because Spam is cured, it can be kept there for seven to ten days.

After five days, it might start to lose some of its superior flavor and texture, but if there are no signs of spoilage, you should still be able to use the Spam safely within ten days.

Just be sure to store the Spam properly sealed in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need to worry about Spam going bad anytime soon because it has a long shelf life in the refrigerator.

If properly stored, opened Spam typically keeps for up to 3 months in the refrigerator.

On the other hand, it’s best to freeze it if you don’t intend to eat it within that time frame. It can last significantly longer that way.

The most accurate information can be found by looking at the expiration date printed on the package.

FAQs

How Do You Know If Spam Has Gone Bad?

Oven Via recommends throwing away any meat that smells bad or appears dull, slimy, or moldy. Even though it should go without saying, a bad bite can also indicate that something has outlived its usefulness.

Does Spam Expire?

On the bottom of every can of SPAM® product you’ll find a “best by” date. The deadline by which Hormel Foods suggests using the product is this one.

How Long Can Spam Be Stored?

Within two to five years of the date of manufacture for the majority of spam products. By the third year after manufacture, SPAM should ideally be eaten. After that, the quality, texture, and taste will significantly decline. Always consume your spam as soon as you can to avoid this.