Can you feeze Pork Pies?

Pork pies are very popular snacks which can also be made part of a meal with a salad and new potatoes. They come in all sorts of sizes from mini pies that can be enjoyed in one go up to large pies which can be served in slices. They make a great addition to a buffet at a party.

However, what if you have leftovers or if you want to keep pork pies for longer than the use-by date? Is there a solution? Yes, there is. You can freeze them whatever size they are. In this article, we will be taking a look at how to freeze pork pies and how to defrost them.

Freezing Pork Pies

It isn’t difficult to freeze pork pies, as long as you follow these steps.

1. Cool the pork pies

You may have bought ready-made pies which will be cool anyway. However, if you have made them yourself or have leftovers from a large pork pie, you will need to make sure that they are cold before putting them in the freezer. If they are warm, they could bring up the temperature of the other food in the freezer and they could start to defrost with the possibility of bacteria forming.

2. Wrap the pork pies

It is important to make sure that air doesn’t get into the pork pies otherwise freezer burn may occur. This means that flavor will be lost, and the pork pies will discolor. They will still be safe to eat but they won’t taste as good. In addition, you won’t be able to keep them in the freezer for as long as normal. The first thing to do is to wrap the pork pies in parchment paper (see also Freezing Food In Parchment Paper). Make sure that they are tightly wrapped. Then wrap them in two layers of foil to keep them fresh.

3. Put the pork pies into freezer bags

If you have more than one pork pie, divide them up into meal-size servings and put them into freezer bags. Make sure that you squeeze out all the air so that freezer burn doesn’t occur. You can also freeze the pork pies in an airtight container.

4. Put the pork pies into the freezer

It is a good idea to put a label on each bag or container with the name and date frozen so that you don’t keep them in the freezer for too long. 

Tips For Freezing Pork Pies

We recommend that you follow these tips when freezing pork pies.

1. Wrap securely

If you feel unsure that your pork pies are wrapped securely, put another layer of aluminum foil over them. It won’t do any harm and will help to stop air getting through.

2. Make sure that you put a label on the bag or container.

There are different types of pork pies such as the Gala pork pie and the Melton Mowbray pork pie so if you are freezing a variety of pies, it is a good idea to write the name of the pie on a label so that you don’t defrost the wrong pie.

For How Long Can You Freeze Pork Pies?

Pork pies can be frozen for between four and five months. They will probably still be safe to eat after this time, but they will start to lose flavor and texture. 

Defrosting Pork Pies

The length of time it takes to defrost a pork pie depends on the size. A mini pork pie will take much less time than a Gala pork pie which is cooked in a long tin. However, whatever size your pork pie is, you want to make sure that it is fully defrosted before you eat it. Pork pies are eaten cold and if they aren’t fully defrosted, you may bite into a lump of ice when you get to the middle. These are the steps to take to defrost your pork pies.

1. Remove the pork pie from the freezer

Take the pork pie or pies out of the freezer bag or container.

2. Put the pork pie in the fridge

Don’t remove the foil or parchment paper when you put them in the fridge.

3. Thaw for 24 hours

You can keep pork pies in the fridge for up to five days after they have been defrosted. After that time, you should throw them away as there is a chance that bacteria will develop. Before you eat them you should rest them at room temperature for one hour, otherwise, they might be too cold to enjoy.

Refreezing Pork Pies

We suggest that you don’t refreeze pork pies. As with most meats, the time when bacteria develops is when you freeze and defrost them and if you do this too many times, there is a chance that the pies will go bad and you could risk food poisoning. Unfortunately, freezing doesn’t kill off bacteria.

Is it a Good Idea to Freeze Pork Pies?

Yes, it certainly isn’t a bad idea especially if you follow our instructions. You should be able to keep pork pies in the freezer for up to five months so if you think that you will fancy a pork pie the following day, just take one out of the freezer and put it in the fridge overnight. You will hardly be able to tell the difference between a defrosted pork pie and a fresh one. You also won’t have to worry about reheating as pork pies should be eaten at room temperature so just take your pork pie out of the fridge an hour before you want to eat it. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Hopefully, we have told you everything you need to know about freezing pork pies but if you would like to know more, we have answered a couple of questions here. 

What is a Gala pork pie, and can I freeze it?

A Gala pork pie is a type of pork pie that also includes some chicken meat and a boiled egg. Quite often, it is baked in a long loaf tin with multiple eggs arranged through the center. You can freeze it, but it is best to slice it into meal-size portions so you can take out just as much as you need and don’t waste any.

What are Melton Mowbray pork pies, and can you freeze them?

Authentic Melton Mowbray pork pies are made from the finest fresh uncured pork, not ham (see also article on freezing ham) or bacon, so the meat looks like roast pork. They are some of the best pork pies that you can find. As to freezing them, of course, you can. Just follow the instructions we have given. 

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