It is hard to resist the temptation of buying Spam meat especially given the convenience it offers and the variety of options available in it. There is no doubt that having Spam meat at hand can make meal preparation a thousand times easier than it normally is.
The real challenge is the storage of Spam meat. But do not worry, it is not as difficult as it sounds. We know that Spam meat is a canned good and canning itself is a storage technique that increases the shelf life of food.
Is Freezing Spam Meat a Good Option?
Freezing Spam meat is not a good option while the food is still sealed. Moreover, as long as the can is unopened there is no need to freeze in the first place. However, if you have opened the can of Spam meat and only used a portion of it, you’d want to store the rest for later. In that case, freezing can be a good option as long as it is practiced with certain protocols.
Why Should You Not Freeze Canned Spam Meat?
Apart from the aforementioned fact that canning itself is a storage technique and as long as the can is still sealed you do not need to freeze it to preserve the contents for a longer time, freezing canned Spam meat is not a good idea because the cans tend to swell in the freezer and if left there for a long time, they might even burst.
Why Should You Not Freeze Canned Spam Meat?
If you accidentally freeze Spam meat, then it would be wise to let it thaw in the refrigerator (rapid temperature changes can spoil the food) before opening it. Once it is thawed, open the can and take a good look and sniff. If there is no bad smell and the food looks fine, then it is safe for consumption. However, if you notice a bad smell, throw the contents away without tasting them.
Can You Freeze Spam Meat Once the Can is Opened?
If you have opened a pack of Spam meat and decided only to use a portion of it then you’d want to store the rest of it in a way that preserves its quality. In this case, it is okay to freeze Spam meat but in order to maintain the quality of Spam meat, you must do it the right way.
What Is the Best Way to Freeze Spam Meat?
As mentioned earlier, freezing Spam meat in order to maintain the flavor profile and quality requires some protocol. The first thing that you need to do if you plan to freeze the leftover Spam meat from an opened can is to make sure that you do it right away.
Freezing food at its peak quality results in better taste when thawed than freezing it when the quality has already started to deteriorate. As a rule of thumb, if you wish to freeze any food, let alone Spam meat, freeze it at your earliest.
Another important thing that you need to take care of while freezing Spam meat is the packaging. The best option is to pack it in such a way that there is no air inside the packet. This will keep the food fresh for longer and will maintain its quality.
How to Use Frozen Spam Meat
When you are finally ready to consume your frozen Spam meat, make sure to thaw it in the refrigerator before exposing it to heat. This is so because rapidly exposing food to different extremes of temperature can spoil its texture, taste, and quality.
How Long Can Spam Meat Last in the Freezer?
While unprocessed meat can stay good for up to a year in the freezer if stored properly, Spam meat (which is a processed form of meat) can stay good for months. Normally it maintains its best flavor profile for up to three months (if frozen properly) but it can last longer than that.
It is best to always check the smell and texture of the meat before consumption.
How Does Freezing Preserve the Quality of Spam Meat?
The process of freezing Spam meat (or any food for that matter) preserves its quality by making the microbes inactive. These microbes can include bacteria, yeast, and other microorganisms that lead to food spoilage and cause foodborne illnesses.
This inactivity of microorganisms keeps the food from spoiling in the freezer but once the food is thawed it again becomes susceptible to the activity of microbes just like fresh food and therefore it should be treated as such and should be consumed as soon as you’d consume fresh food.
The next time you buy Spam meat, make sure to store it in a cool place (e.g. your pantry) as long as it is canned. Do not store Spam meat in the freezer while it is still canned, it is not a good idea and you don’t need to do it anyway. Once the can is open and you need to store some leftover Spam meat for later use, freeze it with the proper protocol and you are good to go.