Have you bought a pack of sliced chorizo or a whole piece and want to know how long vacuum-packed chorizo lasts? At Enrique Tomás, we explain how long you can keep it unopened, where to store it, and answer any other questions you may have.
How long can I wait before opening the chorizo?
Vacuum packing is a preservation process that extends the shelf life of food. It is especially used to keep meat, jamón and cured sausages in good condition, among other products.
To vacuum-pack a product, all you need to do is place it in a package and, using an oxygen-extraction pump, seal it off from the air so that contact with it doesn’t spoil the product.
This process can be used for both whole and sliced chorizo. But don’t worry: the answer to how long vacuum-packed chorizo lasts is the same in both cases, around three months. However, you should always check the packaging, because that’s where the producer states the exact date after which you can no longer eat the product you’ve taken home.
Vacuum-packed
~3 monthswhole or sliced
Temperature
17–21 °Cin a dark, dry place
Where
Pantryaway from heat sources
One of the main advantages of vacuum packing, besides letting you enjoy your favorite products without having to open them straight after buying, is that it doesn’t require any special storage conditions, just like vacuum-packed cheese. To store it, all you need is a dark, dry place with an average temperature of between 17 and 21 °C. Bedroom and bathroom closets are obviously ruled out, while a pantry is an excellent option. If you don’t have one, you can keep it in a kitchen cabinet, for example, as long as there are no heat sources nearby.
And what happens once the vacuum pack is opened?
Keep in mind that once you open the pack and take out the chorizo, the vacuum is broken and you’ll need to eat it as soon as possible.
If it’s a whole piece, cut a few slices each day to enjoy on their own or with a little bread. If the first slices have dried out, you can use them to make chorizo croquettes.
If you bought a pack of slices and have already opened it, there’s no need to eat it all in one go. As we mentioned, though, it’s important not to leave it open for too many days.
To keep it at its best, put the chorizo in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. When you want to enjoy it, just take it out, wait until the slices separate easily from one another and savor it.
Now that you know how long vacuum-packed chorizo lasts, keep these tips in mind so it doesn’t go off and you don’t miss out on it through a simple oversight. Once you decide it’s time to dig in, you’ll see how delicious it is!
