When you buy a dried food product like beef jerky, you might automatically assume that it’s going to last a long time. Drying is a form of preservation, after all, so it’s not unusual to expect that it’s going to be a while before it goes off. Of course, that’s if you don’t just eat it all within a few days of receiving your order. Our bulk orders are a fantastic way to stock up on your favourite snack, but you want to be able to store them for a while if they’re going to last.
Fortunately, our high-quality beef jerky does last a long time in its packaging. Our 250 g, 1 kg, and 2 kg plastic packaging are resealable to help keep the delicious flavour in too. However, it’s important to know how long you can expect your beef jerky to last both unopened and opened. You should also know how to store it properly for maximum freshness and flavour.
How Long Does Beef Jerky Last?
How long your beef jerky lasts will depend on whether you’ve opened it or not. It also depends on how you store it, as well as how the jerky is made.
Beef jerky is a meat product, so it should be kept cold if you want it to last. beef-jerky-and-beer When stored correctly, your beef jerky can last around a week after you receive it. Of course, we can’t promise that you won’t eat it before then!
How Should You Store Beef Jerky?
If you want to keep your beef jerky fresh and tasty, you need to store it properly. In the short term, you can store it in the fridge so that it’s ready to eat whenever you want it. If you want to keep it for longer, you can freeze your beef jerky and defrost it when you’re ready to eat it.
When storing your beef jerky in the refrigerator, use an airtight container to keep it extra fresh. Our resealable packaging in the 250 g, 1 kg, and 2 kg bags make it easier to seal in your beef jerky after opening it, but using an airtight container can help to provide extra protection for the texture and flavour. Your fridge should be set below 5℃ for ultimate freshness and to prevent bacteria from forming. Premium beef jerky that’s made without preservatives or hormones deserves to be treated with respect.
To make extra certain that your beef jerky stays super fresh, you can also use a vacuum sealer. There’s no need to go out and buy one if you don’t have one (unless you’re a beef jerky superfan and can’t resist) but if you already have one handy, it’s very useful. Keep your jerky in the fridge for around 7 days to enjoy it fresh.
Freezing beef jerky
Do you want to keep a stock of beef jerky on hand for future parties, munchies, or whenever you might just be in a jerky mood? We don’t blame you. But if you want an easily accessible stash, freezing your beef jerky is the best option. If you freeze our beef jerky, it can last up to around 12 months in the freezer.
Before you put your beef jerky in the freezer, make sure it’s well-sealed to prevent bacteria (and freezer burn). If it’s unopened, you can just pop the packet into the freezer as it is.
But what about when you want to fish some jerky out of the freezer and eat it? You can’t munch on frozen jerky pieces, so you need to defrost them. The safest way to defrost anything is to take it out of the freezer the day before and put it in the fridge. This will ensure it defrosts slowly and doesn’t get too warm. Come back the next day and your jerky will be ready to go. It’s best to finish off defrosted beef jerky in a day or two, and remember never to refreeze it.
Is It Still Good?
You’ve found some delicious Nive Beef jerky, but there’s one big question: is it still safe to eat? If you’ve followed the directions for optimum jerky storage, you’re probably good to go. However, if you’re not sure, you can look out for a couple of signs that you might not want to chow down on it. If it’s changed colour or has started to harden, or has a bit of an unusual smell to it, it’s probably best to give it a miss. Check the date on the packet too, which will give you a big clue.
Beef jerky is the best snack out there, but only when enjoyed safely. Make sure you store yours properly for best results.
