Best way to preserve guanciale (or other cured meats) in the fridge
I have a 1.2 KG piece of guanciale currently still vacuum sealed. It will take a few months to eat so, once opened, what should it be wrapped it in to maximize it's lifespan in the fridge?
Are the following suitable?
- Baking Paper
- Freezer Paper
- Parchment Paper
- Cling film aka Plastic wrap
- Cheesecloth - I have something called: grade 90 unbleached cotton cheesecloth
- Butcher's Paper - It's expensive in the UK because it only seems to be sold in large rolls (£18 for 50 metres on Amazon)
Best Answer
If it is a cured product then it does not need refrigeration. A cured product has an indefinite lifespan, that was the whole point of curing to increase the lifespan of meat products.
Keep it away from bugs and rats and it should be OK. Maybe if you live in a humid tropic area you may have problems with mold growth but that is a stretch.
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Quick Answer about "Best way to preserve guanciale (or other cured meats) in the fridge"
Once you open and slice your guanciale, it has to be refrigerated afterward. There are different ways you can store it, as long as you keep it in your fridge. It's best to use an airtight plastic bag or some kind of vacuumed container. By refrigerating your guanciale, you will avoid condensation and mold.How do you store guanciale in the fridge?
How does someone store guanciale? The whole guanciale is the best way to preserve the product in the refrigerator. Just slice what you need and wrap back the rest in paper and return to the refrigerator.How do you store guanciale?
Tightly covered in butcher paper or plastic wrap, a piece of guanciale will keep for up to 6 months in your fridge. Sliced guanciale has a significantly shorter shelf life and will typically go bad in 14 days.How do you store cured meat?
Freezing temperatures cause meat to lose its characteristic tenderness and flavor. The best way to make cured meats last is to store the meat properly. You should first wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, trying to remove any possible air pockets. Then store it in the fridge as far from the light as possible.How long do cured meats last in fridge?
After opening, it has a shelf life of 2-3 weeks in the refrigerator or several months in the freezer. Prosciutto: Similar to pancetta, prosciutto can last up to a year if vacuum sealed. Spanish Chorizo: Cured chorizo, wrapped in a tea towel will last for about six months.How To Cure Meat in the Refrigerator
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Answer 2
Any of those wraps will be fine. My typical practice, whether curing my own or purchasing a large amount, is to portion in to smaller pieces. Those destined for storage get vacuum sealed. If I have a lot, I freeze them. The portions for daily use either get wrapped in butcher paper (if I have it) or, more often than not, placed in a zip-lock bag and refrigerated.
Answer 3
It'll go bad as soon as you open the bag.
Cut in manageable chunks/portions, wrap in cling film, and freeze each chunk individually.
If you have access to a vacuum machine, you could also vacuum each portion before freezing.
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