Expiration & Storage Tips
When does chicken livers expire?
Chicken livers, like other offal, are perishable and should be handled with care. If unopened and stored in the refrigerator, fresh chicken livers can last for 1-2 days past the 'sell by' date printed on the package. Once opened, they should be used within 24 hours. If you'd like to keep them longer, freezing is a great option. Pack in airtight containers or heavy-duty freeze bags and you can store them for up to 4 months.
How do you tell if chicken livers is bad?
Let your senses guide you here. First, take a look at the color. Fresh chicken livers have a glossy, slick surface and a deep, rich reddish-brown color. If the livers have turned green, gray, or chalky in appearance, it's time to toss them out. Then there's smell. Fresh chicken livers have a clean, slightly metallic smell with no overpowering odors. If they smell sour, musty, or intensely metallic, they've likely spoiled. Lastly, feel the texture. Fresh chicken livers are moist but not slimy. A slimy or sticky surface is a sure sign of spoilage.
Tips for storing chicken livers to extend shelf life
• Store fresh chicken livers in the coldest part of your refrigerator as soon as you get home from the grocery store. The back of the bottom shelf is usually the coldest spot.
• To extend their shelf life, you can freeze chicken livers. Portion them out into meal-sized quantities to make defrosting easier.
• When defrosting frozen chicken livers, do so in the refrigerator. This slower, gentler method helps keep the texture intact.
• If you're really keen on keeping your chicken livers as fresh as possible, consider investing in a vacuum sealer. This will remove air, which can accelerate freezer burn and spoilage.