A good pork pie is hard to resist, but if you have bought a larger pie, ordered several for an occasion or simply want to keep some for another day, you may be wondering whether you can put pork pies in the freezer.
Can you freeze pork pies? Yes, most pork pies can be frozen successfully. For the best results, wrap the pie carefully to protect it from freezer burn, freeze it while it is still fresh and defrost it thoroughly in the fridge before serving. Pork pies can be frozen whole or, where suitable, divided into portions first.
Freezing is particularly useful if you have ordered a selection of speciality pork pies and want to enjoy them over a longer period rather than eating everything at once.
However, correct preparation, freezing and defrosting can make a big difference to the quality of the pastry and filling.
Can Pork Pies Be Frozen?
Yes. Many traditional and speciality pork pies are suitable for freezing.
At Toppings Pies, our traditional pork pies are suitable for freezing, while many of our speciality cutting pies can be frozen either whole or divided into portions.
Freezing can be particularly convenient when ordering larger pies for parties, family gatherings, buffets and celebrations.
Instead of worrying about finishing the entire pie immediately, you can divide it into manageable portions and freeze what you do not need.
There are exceptions, however. Certain ingredients may not freeze as successfully as others, so always check the storage instructions supplied with the individual product.
For example, some gala pies containing egg may not be recommended for freezing.
Why Freeze a Pork Pie?
One of the main reasons is convenience.
Perhaps you have ordered a large cutting pie for a gathering and have some left over. Maybe you have found a favourite flavour and want to order several at once. Or perhaps you are preparing food ahead of Christmas, a birthday, picnic or family event.
Freezing allows you to keep suitable pork pies for later without needing to eat them all within their refrigerated shelf life.
Our speciality pork pie range includes larger cutting pies as well as different flavours, making freezing particularly useful when you want to enjoy a selection over time.
How Do You Freeze a Pork Pie?
The key to freezing a pork pie successfully is protecting it from air and moisture.
1. Freeze the Pie While It Is Fresh
Do not wait until the pie is approaching the end of its shelf life before deciding to freeze it.
If you know you are not going to eat the pie in time, freeze it while it is still fresh and in good condition.
Freezing preserves food rather than making older food fresh again.
2. Decide Whether to Freeze It Whole or in Portions
Think about how you are likely to eat the pie when it comes out of the freezer.
A smaller pork pie can usually be frozen whole.
With a larger cutting pie, however, dividing it into individual or family-sized portions can be much more practical.
Our speciality cutting pork pies are available in larger sizes, making portioning useful if you only want a few slices at a time.
Freezing portions means you can defrost exactly what you need without having to thaw the entire pie.
3. Wrap the Pork Pie Carefully
Once you have decided on the portion size, wrap the pie securely.
The aim is to minimise its exposure to air inside the freezer.
You can wrap individual pieces tightly using suitable freezer-safe wrapping before placing them inside an airtight freezer container or freezer bag.
Using more than one layer of protection can help prevent freezer burn and reduce the risk of the pastry absorbing unwanted smells from other foods.
4. Label and Date It
Label the packaging with the type of pork pie and the date it was frozen.
This sounds simple, but once several unlabelled packages are sitting in the freezer, identifying what they are and how long they have been there can become surprisingly difficult.
Dating the pie also makes it easier to rotate your frozen food and use older items first.
Can You Freeze Pork Pie Slices?
Yes, where the pie itself is suitable for freezing, freezing individual slices can be one of the most convenient options.
Cut the pie into sensible portions before wrapping each piece carefully.
You can then remove one or two slices whenever you fancy a pork pie without defrosting the rest.
This approach is particularly useful with larger traditional pork pies and speciality cutting pies.
It can also make planning lunches, picnics and buffets easier because you can take out approximately the amount you need.
How Long Can You Freeze Pork Pies?
Always follow the storage and freezing instructions provided with the particular pork pie you have purchased.
As a general principle, frozen food remains at its best when it is properly wrapped and not left in the freezer indefinitely.
The longer a pork pie remains frozen, the greater the possibility of changes to its texture and eating quality, particularly the pastry.
Rather than treating your freezer as permanent storage, label the pie clearly and plan to enjoy it within the manufacturer’s recommended period.
If you are freezing a Toppings pork pie, check the information supplied with your order for the relevant product guidance.
Does Freezing Affect Pork Pie Pastry?
It can.
The hot water crust pastry is one of the most distinctive parts of a traditional pork pie, so protecting its texture is important.
Poor packaging can expose the pastry to cold, dry freezer air, potentially affecting its texture and flavour.
This is why wrapping the pie thoroughly before freezing matters.
Defrosting correctly is equally important.
Trying to speed up the process unnecessarily can affect the overall eating experience, so allow plenty of time for the pie to thaw gradually in the fridge.
How Do You Defrost a Pork Pie?
The safest approach is to defrost a frozen pork pie in the refrigerator.
Remove the portion you need from the freezer and place it in the fridge, allowing enough time for it to thaw thoroughly.
The exact time required will depend on the size of the pie.
Individual slices and smaller pies will naturally defrost more quickly than a large cutting pork pie.
Large pies may therefore need to be transferred from the freezer to the fridge well in advance of when you intend to serve them.
The Food Standards Agency recommends defrosting food in the fridge to help prevent harmful bacteria from growing.
Can You Defrost a Pork Pie at Room Temperature?
For food safety, it is better to use the fridge rather than leaving a frozen pork pie sitting at room temperature for an extended period.
Refrigerator defrosting keeps the food at a controlled chilled temperature as it thaws.
If you are serving the pie for an event, simply plan ahead.
Move it from the freezer into the refrigerator with enough time for it to defrost fully before you need it.
With larger pies, allowing additional time is always preferable to discovering that the centre is still frozen just before your guests arrive.
Can You Refreeze a Pork Pie After Defrosting?
As a practical rule, it is better to freeze pork pies in portions so you only defrost the amount you intend to eat.
This helps avoid unnecessary thawing and refreezing and can help preserve the quality of the pie.
Follow the product’s storage instructions and current food safety guidance if you are uncertain.
Planning portion sizes before freezing is by far the simplest solution.
How Should You Serve a Pork Pie After Freezing?
Once completely defrosted, pork pies can be served in much the same way as you would normally enjoy them.
A traditional pork pie works beautifully as part of a ploughman’s-style lunch with cheese, chutney, pickles and crusty bread.
Smaller speciality pies can work well for picnics and lunch spreads, while larger cutting pies make an impressive addition to buffets and celebration tables.
You could also create a sharing board with several different pork pie flavours, cheeses, pickles, chutneys and other savouries.
The important part is making sure the pie has defrosted completely and has been stored according to its instructions before serving.
Which Toppings Pork Pies Can You Freeze?
Many of our traditional and speciality pork pies are suitable for freezing.
Our traditional pork pie range includes everything from smaller pies through to substantial cutting pies, with products arriving ready to eat and suitable for freezing for a later date.
For something a little different, our speciality pork pies include a tempting selection of flavours.
Options include Apricot & Poultry, Game & Poultry, Huntsman, Scrumpy and Yorkshire Farmers speciality cutting pies.
These larger speciality pies are particularly useful for gatherings and family occasions, and suitable products can be frozen whole or divided into portions.
Always check the specific product information before freezing, particularly where a pie contains additional ingredients such as egg.
Can You Buy Pork Pies and Freeze Them for Later?
Absolutely.
Buying pork pies online and freezing suitable products can be a convenient way to make sure you have something special available when you need it.
It is particularly useful when preparing for Christmas, Easter, birthdays, family gatherings or other events.
You could also order several different flavours, enjoy some fresh and freeze the remainder.
Toppings Pies offers more than just traditional pork pies. Our online selection includes speciality pork pies, hot eating pies, quiches, sausage rolls and savouries, giving you plenty of options when preparing food for a gathering.
Frequently Asked Questions About Freezing Pork Pies
Can you freeze a pork pie?
Yes. Most traditional and speciality pork pies can be frozen, provided the individual product is suitable for freezing. Wrap it carefully, freeze it while fresh and follow the product’s storage instructions.
Can you freeze pork pie slices?
Yes. Freezing a larger pork pie in individual slices or portions is a convenient way to defrost only the amount you need.
Can you freeze pork pies with jelly?
Traditional pork pies containing jelly can generally be frozen where the manufacturer confirms that the product is suitable for freezing.
Can you freeze pork and egg gala pie?
Not every pork and egg pie is suitable for freezing. Toppings advises that some larger gala pies containing egg cannot be frozen, so check the specific product instructions before doing so.
How do you defrost a pork pie?
Defrost your pork pie thoroughly in the refrigerator. Allow sufficient time for the centre of larger pies to thaw completely before serving.
Can you freeze homemade pork pies?
Homemade pork pies can potentially be frozen, but this will depend on the recipe, ingredients and how the pie has been prepared and stored. Follow reliable food safety guidance and freeze the pie while it is fresh.
Enjoy Your Favourite Pork Pies for Longer
So, can you freeze pork pies?
Yes. Freezing is a convenient way to keep suitable pork pies for another occasion, particularly if you have ordered a larger cutting pie or want to enjoy several different flavours over time.
For the best results, freeze the pie while it is fresh, portion larger pies before freezing, protect them carefully from freezer air and defrost them thoroughly in the fridge.
At Toppings Pies, we have been producing award-winning pork pies in South Yorkshire for more than 30 years, with traditional and speciality recipes available in a wide range of sizes.
Explore our speciality pork pies and discover handcrafted flavours that can be delivered directly to your door.