You have purchased your smoker and you are ready to start smoking meat for the first time. But, now you are wondering how much meat you can smoke at a time. Will the meat be still eatable after a couple of days, or should you just smoke enough for one meal? This is a question that many are asking.

Especially, if they are still new to smoking meat. Luckily, we have all the answers for you. This is everything you need to know about how long does smoked meat last, and how to prepare it correctly so that it can last even longer.

Why Is It Important to Know How Long You Can Eat Your Smoked Meat?

Why is it important to know for how long you can eat your smoked meat safely? It has been smoked, so it is safe to eat, no matter the time. Right? This is where so many people are wrong.

There is one simple reason why you should know the shelve life of smoked meat. In the freezer, refrigerator and without storing it in any way. Food poisoning. And, so many people have made this mistake and end up in the hospital with food poisoning. This is why it is essential that you know when it might be time to throw your meat out.

Does the Smoked Meat Need to Be Refrigerated?

If you want to eat the smoked meat a day or two later, then yes, it should be refrigerated. The fridge is at a really low temperature. Making sure that there isn’t any room for getting germs on, or getting spoiled. If you don’t put the smoked meat in the fridge, you need to finish the meat in one day.

There are a couple of rules that you need to know before you are putting your smoked meat in the fridge. The meat should have been smoked at the right temperature, and it needs to be in an airtight container in order for the meat to stay fresh and edible. Different types of meat should be smoked at different temperatures, in order for you to ensure that it is safe to eat and to store.

General Rule for How Long-smoked Meat Can Last

There is one general rule for how long-smoked meat can last. You need to consume it within four days. This is if you have smoked the meat at the right temperature and if your fridge is also at the right temperature. If you are putting it in the freezer, it can last longer. It can last for up to three months.

If you don’t put it in the freezer or fridge, then it can’t last for longer than a couple of hours. 6 to 12 hours, depending on the weather. The hotter it is, the easier the meat will spoil.

Food Safety While Smoking Meat Can Prolong How Long It Can Last

You will read that we keep on talking about smoking the meat at the right temperature. There are people that don’t know the different meat and the temperature that it should be smoked in order to make it safer to store in the fridge. These are the different meat and their recommended smoking temperatures.

• Beef, pork, lamp, and veal should be smoked at a temperature of 160°F
• Sausages with turkey and chicken it should be smoked at a temperature of 165°F
• Any poultry meat should be smoked at a temperature of 165°F

Putting Smoked Meat in the Freezer. General Rules

Yes, you can put your smoked meat in the freezer for letting it last longer. It can stay in the freezer for up to three months. However, there are a couple of guidelines on how you should store it correctly.

• You should wrap the meat in butcher paper and ensure that there isn’t any meat sticking out of the paper.
• You can also wrap the meat in durable foil and then wrap it with the butcher paper.
• Make sure that you label and date the package. This is so that you can see when you need to throw out the meat.

When Should You Throw the Meat Out?

How do you know that the meat isn’t fresh and edible anymore?

When the meat is showing signs of becoming slimy and when it doesn’t smell fresh anymore. You know what smoked meat should smell like. If this isn’t the smell you are getting, throw the meat out.

With this guide, you will know how long you can store your smoked meat. There are some really important things that you should remember about storing smoked meat. This is to ensure that you are going to have meat that is going to taste great, and that won’t be a health risk to your family.

Food poisoning because of eating meat that isn’t edible anymore can become serious.